Information handling system secure dock
An integrated data and security cable couples to a portable information handling system with pins engaged at pin guides formed in the system housing on opposing sides of a data port. At least one pin selectively locks and unlocks in the pin guide to secure the system to a fixture, such as a desktop. The locking pin releases from the cable side with a key or combination or, alternatively, releases from the information handling system, such as under control of an embedded controller or other security system.
1. A portable information handling system comprising:
a housing;
a processor disposed in the housing and operable to execute instructions to process information;
a memory disposed in the housing and interfaced with the processor, the memory operable to store the information;
a display disposed in the housing and interfaced with the processor and memory, the display operable to present the information as visual images;
a data port disposed at one side of the housing and configured to accept a data cable connector;
first and second pin guides disposed at the housing on opposing sides of the data port;
a pin lock disposed in at least one of the first and second pin guides, the pin lock configured to selectively lock and unlock at a pin inserted into the at least one of the first and second pin guides;
a lock controller integrated in the housing and interfaced with the pin lock, the lock controller operable to selectively lock and unlock the pin lock based at least in part on information communicated through the data port; and
a docking cable having a data port connector disposed between first and second pins, the data port connector configured to engage the data port and at least one of the pins configured to engage the pin lock.
2. The portable information handling system of claim 1 wherein the first and second pins are positioned symmetrically relative to the data port connector so that the docking cable connects to the information handling system in reversible orientations.
3. The portable information handling system of claim 2 wherein the data port connector comprises a USB Type C connector.
4. The portable information handling system of claim 1 wherein the information communicated through the data port comprises a command sent from a server to the lock controller.
5. The portable information handling system of claim 1 wherein the information communicated through the data port comprises a password stored at a docking station interfaced with the data port.
6. The portable information handling system of claim 1 wherein the information communicated through the data port comprises biometric information.
7. The portable information handling system of claim 1 wherein the information communicated through the data port comprises a password stored in a near field communication device.
8. A method for securing a portable information handling system, the method comprising:
coupling a data connector cable to a data port disposed at the housing of the portable information handling system;
securing the data connector cable to the housing with first and second pins disposed on opposing sides of the data cable connector and aligned to insert into pin guides;
locking at least one of the first and second pins to a pin lock integrated in the housing; and
selectively unlocking the pin lock based at least in part on information communicated through the data port and data connector cable;
wherein locking at least one of the first and second pins further comprises: detecting insertion of the at least one of the first and second pins into the pin guides;
and locking the at least one of the first and second pins in response to information communicated through the data port and data connector cable.
9. The method of claim 8 further comprising:
removing the data connector cable from the housing;
reversing the data connector cable relative to the housing; and
inserting the data cable connector into the data port, the first and second pins inserting into the pin guides symmetrical to the data port.
10. The method of claim 9 wherein the data port comprises a USB Type C port.
11. The method of claim 8 wherein the information comprises a user password.
12. The method of claim 8 wherein the information comprises a user biometric information.
13. An integrated data cable and security cable for coupling a portable information handling system in place comprising:
a lock portion having a locking pin and alignment pins disposed on opposing sides of a data cable connector housing portion, wherein at least one of the alignment pins is configured to engage the lock pin;
a data cable connector disposed in the cable connector housing portion and having a data cable, wherein the data cable connector is configured to engage a data port;
a security cable coupling to the lock portion; and
a cover fit disposed the lock portion and coupled to the lock portion to trap the data cable connector in the data cable connector housing portion.
14. The integrated data cable and security cable of claim 13 wherein the cover and lock portion provide a rotational guide to rotate the data cable connector relative to the lock portion.
15. The integrated data cable and security cable of claim 13 wherein the security cable couples to the lock portion in a rotational guide to rotate the lock portion relative to the security cable.
16. The integrated data cable and security cable of claim 13 wherein the data cable connector comprises a USB Type C connector.
17. The integrated data cable and security cable of claim 13 wherein the locking pin and alignment pin are symmetrically placed relative to the data cable connector.
18. The integrated data cable and security cable of claim 13 further comprising a keyed lock in the locking portion operable to move the locking pin in an unlock direction.