ALERTS

BACKGROUND

[0001 ] Computing devices or other devices may have spaces for which unauthorized access is to be prevented. Unauthorized access may be deterred by alarms or alerts whenever the space is accessed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0002] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an example alarm module with a key-actuated switch for suppressing alerts.

[0003] FIG. 2A is a top view of a switch and key receptacle in the alarm module of FIG. 1 .

[0004] FIG. 2B is a side cross-sectional view of the switch and key receptacle of FIG. 2A.

[0005] FIG. 2C is a side cross-sectional view of the switch and key receptacle of FIG. 2A with a key depressing the switch.

[0006] FIG. 3 is a partial schematic diagram of an example computing device with an alarm module with a key-actuated switch for suppressing alerts.

[0007] FIGS. 4A and 4B are schematic diagrams of a key actuating the switch in the computing device of FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0008] Housings or other chambers may have alarm systems integrated with their lids or access panels to generate alerts when the interior of the housing is accessed. These alerts may be a nuisance to authorized technicians or other personnel accessing the space in an authorized manner. Some solutions are to provide a function element which can act as a reset switch to reset activated alerts. However, such reset switches are only accessible once the housing is opened and cannot be entirely suppressed by authorized personnel prior to opening the housing.

[0009] An example alarm module allows suppression of alerts prior to their activation via the opening of a housing. The alarm module includes a key receptacle accessible from the exterior of the housing (i.e., accessible when the housing is closed), and which, when a suitable key is received and rotated in the key receptacle, actuates a switch. When the switch is actuated prior to detection of the housing being opened, the alarm may suppress any alerts.

[0010] The key may be a key with lobes which depress the switch, or a rotary key which interacts with a bias member and switch bracket to depress the switch. The switch may need to be continually depressed to actuate it to suppress alerts, hence the alarm module may have a detent to maintain the key in an active position actuating the switch. As a secondary mechanism for suppressing the alerts, the alarm module may have a secondary switch or a secondary access aperture to access the switch, both of which may be accessible only when the housing is open. Accordingly, when the switch or secondary switch are depressed after the housing is open, the alarm may generate the alert for a predefined period of time and suppress the alert after the predefined period of time.

[0011 ] FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of an example alarm module 100 for a housing of a secured space (e.g., the interior of a computing device). The alarm module 100 is disposed inside the housing and includes a sensor 102, an alarm 104, a switch 106, and a key receptacle 108. The components of the alarm module 100 may be supported, for example, on a printed circuit board (PCB) including control circuitry interconnecting the various components to allow the functionality described herein. Generally, the alarm module 100 is to detect when the housing of the computing device is open and generate an alert when unauthorized access is detected. Specifically, the key receptacle is accessible from an exterior of the housing and/or computing device to allow authorized users to actuate the switch to suppress the alert.

[0012] The sensor 102 is disposed in the housing to detect when the housing is open and closed. For example, the sensor 102 may be a spring-activated push button which is depressed when a lid or access panel of the housing is secured against a body of the housing to close the housing. When the lid or access panel is removed or opened away from the body of the housing, the sensor 102 may decompress and detect that the housing is open. In other examples, other suitable sensors, such as other mechanical sensors, optical sensors, electronic sensors, or the like, are also contemplated.

[0013] The alarm 104 is generally to generate alerts. For example, the alarm 104 may include a sound generator to generate audio alerts, such as a beeping noise, speech, or the like. In particular, the alarm 104 is connected to the sensor 102 to generate alerts when the sensor 102 detects that the housing is open. That is, the alarm 104 may receive a housing open signal from sensor 102, and in response to the housing open signal, generate the alert. The alarm module 100 may therefore provide notice to nearby personnel that the housing is being accessed. In other examples, the alarm 104 may additionally or alternately generate other types of alerts, such as visual alerts (e.g., flashing lights, text, or the like), tactile alerts (e.g., vibration), or other suitable alerts. The components of the alarm 104 are selected according to the type of alerts generated by the alarm 104.

[0014] The switch 106 is disposed in an interior of the housing so as to be generally inaccessible from an exterior of the housing, particularly when the housing is closed. The switch 106 is connected to the alarm 104 to send a switch actuation signal to the alarm 104 when the switch 106 is actuated. The switch 106 may be a push button which may be actuated by depressing the push button. In other examples, the switch 106 may be an optical switch, an electronic switch, another type of mechanical switch (e.g., a toggle switch or the like), or other suitable switches.

[0015] The key receptacle 108 is accessible from the exterior of the housing and is generally to allow the switch 106 to be actuated from the exterior of the housing using a key. The key receptacle 108 may therefore be shaped to receive a particular shape or form of key. Further, the key receptacle 108 is oriented with respect to the switch 106 such that the key is to be rotated or otherwise moved according to a prescribed movement pattern in the key receptacle 108 in order to actuate the switch 106. That is, the key receptacle 108 serves to restrict actuation of the switch 106 to an authorized key which is complementary to the key receptacle 108. For example, the switch 106 may be out-of-line or otherwise spatially distinct from the key receptacle 108 such that general tools, such as keys, toothpicks, pins, screwdrivers, and the like, cannot activate the switch 106. In addition to the spatial relationship between the switch 106 and the key receptacle 108, the key receptacle 108 may include blocking elements or obstructions which are navigable by the authorized key to actuate the switch 106, and which restrict access to the switch 106 by other keys or general tools.

[0016] In operation, when the housing is opened in an unauthorized manner, the sensor 102 detects that the housing is opened and sends a signal to the alarm 104 to generate an alert. The alarm 104 may therefore generate the alert to notify nearby personnel that the housing has been opened. When an authorized technician has a key compatible with the key receptacle 108, the authorized technician may insert the key into the key receptacle 108 from the exterior of the housing and actuate the switch 106. The switch 106 sends a signal to the alarm 104 indicating that it is actuated. Subsequently, when the authorized technician opens the housing, the sensor 102 detects that the housing is opened and sends a signal to the alarm 104 to generate an alert. The alarm 104, having received the signal indicated that the switch 106 was actuated prior to the sensor 102 detecting that the housing is open, identifies the housing opening as an authorized access and suppresses the alert. [0017] In other examples, rather than sending a signal to the alarm 104, the switch 106 may send a signal to the sensor 102 indicating that it is actuated. Subsequently, when the authorized technician opens the housing, the sensor 102 detects that the housing is opened. The sensor 102, having received the signal indicating that the switch 106 was actuated prior to the sensor 102 detecting that the housing is open, may identify the housing opening as an authorized access and suppress sending of a signal to the alarm 104 to generate an alert. More generally, in other examples, control circuitry of the alarm module 100, integrated into one of the components of the alarm module 100 (such as the sensor 102, the alarm 104, or another component), or as an independent component of the alarm module, upon determining that the switch 106 was actuated prior to the sensor 102 detecting that the housing is open, identifies the housing opening as an authorized access and causes suppression of the alert by the alarm 104.

[0018] In some examples, the alarm 104 may determine if the switch actuation signal is received within a predefined period of time prior to the housing open signal. If the determination is affirmative, the alarm 104 enters an alert suppression state and suppresses the alert. That is, in such examples, the key need not be actively actuating the switch 106 when the housing is opened.

In other examples, the alarm 104 may only suppress the alert if the switch actuation signal is present (i.e., the switch 106 is actively being actuated) when the housing is opened. In some examples, if the housing open signal is not received within the predefined period of time after receiving the switch actuation signal (e.g., if a technician inserts the key to actuate the switch 106 but does not open the housing), then the alarm 104 may reset the alert suppression state causing the alarm 104 to generate alerts when the housing is opened.

[0019] In other examples, the alert suppression state may be reset when a housing closed signal is received from the sensor. That is, the alert suppression state, in which the alarm 104 continues to suppress alerts, may be maintained until the housing is closed, irrespective of subsequent switch actuation or de- actuation signals from the switch 106 while the alarm is in the alert suppression state.

[0020] FIG. 2A depicts a schematic diagram of a portion of the alarm module 100 including the key receptacle 108 and the switch 106 according to one example. In particular, in the present example, the alarm module 100 includes a cover 200 housing the switch 106. The cover 200 is generally to further prevent unauthorized access of the switch 106.

[0021 ] The cover 200 may include a secondary access aperture 202 to receive a pin, a paperclip, or the like, to actuate the switch 106. In particular, the secondary access aperture 202 may be accessible when the housing is open as a secondary manner of suppressing the alert generated by the alarm 104. Notably, since the secondary access aperture 202 provides access to actuate the switch 106 after the sensor 102 detects that the housing is open, actuation of the switch 106 via the secondary access aperture 202 may not suppress the alert generated by the alarm 104 immediately or entirely. In particular, the alarm 104 may maintain the alert for a predefined period of time when the switch 106 is actuated after the sensor 102 detects that the housing is open. For example, the alert may be maintained for 15 to 30 seconds, or other suitable periods of time, after receiving the switch actuation signal from the switch 106. After the predefined period of time, the alarm 104 may suppress the alert. This allows authorized personnel who do not have the key to suppress the alert for the duration of the access (e.g., to perform maintenance on the computing device) while still alerting nearby personnel about the housing access to reduce unauthorized access by users who are not authorized but have knowledge of the switch 106 which can suppress alerts.

[0022] In the present example, the key receptacle 108 is to receive a key 204 having a lobe 206. The key receptacle 108 may therefore include apertures in the housing and the cover 200 to receive the key 204 including the lobe 206. In particular, the key receptacle 108 may be shaped to receive the key 204 with the lobe 206 facing in a particular direction. The key 204 may then be rotated within the key receptacle 108, and within the cover 200 to depress the switch 106 to actuate the switch 106. In other examples, some authorized keys may not include a lobe, and instead may include features to actuate a lobe or bracket in the housing to actuate the switch. For example, the key may be a rotary key which interacts with a bias member and a bracket to actuate the switch.

[0023] FIG. 2B depicts a side cross-sectional view of the portion of the alarm module 100. In particular, the key 204 is received in the key receptacle 108 and is being rotated to move the lobe 206 towards the switch 106. In the present example, the alarm module 100 further includes detents 208 adjacent the switch 106. The detents 208 may help guide the lobe 206 to the switch 106. As will be apparent from FIG. 2B, if the key 204 is not fully received in the key receptacle 108, the detents 208 may prevent the key 204 from rotating a full 180°, therefore preventing the lobe 206 from depressing the switch 106. The detents 208 may therefore also serve as an obstruction or blocking elements to restrict access to the switch 106 by keys or general tools other than the authorized key 204, which is specifically shaped complementary to the detents 208 to actuate the switch 106.

[0024] FIG. 2C depicts another side cross-sectional view of the portion of the alarm module 100 when the key 204 has been rotated to actuate the switch 106. As can be seen, the lobe 206 of the key 204 is received between the detents 208 and depresses the switch 106. The detents 208 may further be shaped to maintain the lobe 206 on the switch 106 to keep the switch 106 actuated.

[0025] In particular, when the switch 106 is no longer actuated, the switch 106 may send a de-actuation signal (i.e., indicating that the switch is no longer actuated) to the alarm 104. In some examples, if the alarm 104 receives a de actuation signal while the housing is open, the alarm 104 may generate an alert. That is, if the alarm 104 receives the de-actuation signal while receiving an active housing open signal, the alarm 104 terminates suppression of the alert and begins generating the alert. Thus, the detents 208 may maintain the lobe 206 on the switch 106 to keep the switch 106 actuated until the housing has been closed (e.g., until maintenance is complete and the cover of the housing has been re-secured to the body of the housing).

[0026] In other examples, after receiving a de-actuation signal, the alarm 104 may maintain suppression of the alert until the housing has been closed and re opened. That is, if the alarm 104 identifies conditions in which to suppress the alert, the alarm 104 will enter an alert suppression state in which the alarm 104 continues to suppress the alert, irrespective of switch actuation or de-actuation signals received from the switch 106. The alert suppression state may be reset when the alarm 104 receives a housing closed signal from the sensor 102. The key 204 may therefore be removed after opening the housing for more convenient access and to reduce the likelihood of an authorized technician forgetting the key 204 in the key receptacle 108. On subsequent housing openings (i.e., when the alarm 104 receives a new housing open signal), the alarm 104 may return to the normal process and proceed to generate or suppress the alert based on actuation of the switch 106.

[0027] FIG. 3 depicts a partial view of an example computing device 300 having a housing 302 defining an interior and an exterior of the computing device 300. The computing device 300 may be a laptop computer, a notebook computer, a desktop computer, a printing device, including a 3D printing device, or the like. In particular, the housing 302 has body 304 and a panel (not shown) removable from the body 304. When the panel (e.g., a lid, access panel, or the like) is removed from the body 304, the housing 302 is open and the interior of the computing device 300 is accessible, as depicted. When the panel is closed against or secured to the body 304, the housing 302 is closed and the interior of the computing device 300 is inaccessible.

[0028] The computing device 300 includes an alarm module 310 to generate alerts when an unauthorized access to the interior of the computing device 300 is detected. The alarm module 310 is similar to the alarm module 100 and includes a sensor 312, an alarm 314, a switch 316, and a key receptacle 318. The alarm module 310 is generally disposed in the interior of the computing device 300 to avoid tampering with the alarm module 310 from the exterior of the computing device 300.

[0029] The sensor 312 is to detect when the housing 302 is open and closed. For example, the sensor 312 may be a mechanical sensor, such as a push button, an optical sensor, an electronic sensor, or other suitable sensor which is capable of detecting when the panel is removed or secured against the body 304, and hence when the housing 302 is open or closed, and whether access is enabled to the interior of the computing device 300. The sensor 312 may generate a housing open and housing closed signals indicating the state of the housing 302. In some examples, the housing open and housing closed signals may be continuous, indicating whether the housing 302 is currently open or currently closed. In other examples, the housing open signal may be sent when the housing 302 changes from a closed state to an open state. Similarly, the housing closed signal may be sent when the housing 302 changes from an open state to a closed state. Combinations of the above are also contemplated.

[0030] The alarm 314 is generally to generate alerts. For example, the alarm 314 may include a sound generator to generate audio alerts, such as beeping, noise, speech, or the like. In particular, the alarm 314 is to receive signals from the sensor 312 about the state of the housing 302 and generate alerts based on the state of the housing 302. In particular, when the alarm 314 receives a housing open signal, the alarm 314 generates an alert to indicate to nearby personnel that the housing 302 is open and accessible. In other examples, the alarm 314 may additionally or alternately generate other types of alerts, such as visual alerts (e.g., flashing lights, text, or the like), tactile alerts (e.g., vibration), or other suitable alerts. The components of the alarm 314 are selected according to the type of alerts generated by the alarm 314.

[0031 ] The switch 316 in particular is disposed in the interior of the computing device 300 so as to be inaccessible from the exterior of the computing device 300, particularly when the housing 302 is closed. The switch 316 is connected to the alarm 314 to send a switch actuation signal to the alarm 314 when the switch 316 is actuated. The switch 316 may additionally send a switch de-actuation signal to the alarm 314 when the switch 316 is de-actuated. For example, the switch 316 may be a push button which may be actuated by depressing the push button. In other examples, the switch 316 may be an optical switch, an electronic switch, another type of mechanical switch, or the like.

[0032] The key receptacle 318 is accessible from the exterior of the computing device 300 and is to receive a key 320 to allow the key 320 to actuate the switch 316. The key receptacle 318 may therefore be shaped to receive a particular shape or form of key. The key receptacle is oriented with respect to the switch 316 such that the key 320 is to be rotated in order to actuate the switch 316.

[0033] For example, FIGS. 4A and 4B depict schematic diagrams of the key 320 actuating the switch 306 of the computing device 300. In particular, the key receptacle 318 further includes a switch bracket 400. The switch bracket 400 may include apertures (not shown) to receive corresponding protrusions 402 of the key 320. That is, the key 320 is a rotary key (i.e., rather than including a lobe) which interacts with the key receptacle 318 and components within the housing to actuate the switch 316. Rotation of the key 320 rotates the switch bracket 400 to interface with the switch 316, as depicted in FIG. 4B. That is, the key 320 and/or the switch bracket 400 may rotate between an inactive position, in which the switch bracket 400 is not actuating the switch 316, and an active position, in which the switch bracket 400 is actuating the switch 316.

[0034] In some examples, the switch bracket 400 may interface with a stop bracket 404 to limit the rotation of the key 320. In particular, the stop bracket 404 may restrict rotation of the key 320 to positions between the inactive position and the active position. The stop bracket 404 therefore limits the rotation of the switch bracket 400 to prevent damage to the switch 316 by over rotation of the key 320 in the key receptacle 318. [0035] The key receptacle 318 may further include a bias member coupled to the switch bracket 400 to bias the switch bracket 400 to the inactive position away from the switch 316. The bias member may include a leaf spring, coils, extension springs, compression springs, or other suitable members capable of biasing the switch bracket 400 to the inactive position away from the switch 316. Thus, an authorized technician is to actively maintain the key 320 in the active position to maintain actuation of the switch 316 while the housing 302 is being opened. In further examples, the key receptacle 318 may include detents (not shown) to maintain the key 320 in the active position, but which allow the bias member to bias the switch bracket 400 to the inactive position when the key 320 is removed.

[0036] The alarm module 310 may operate in a similar manner to the alarm module 100. In particular, when the housing 302 is opened, the sensor 312 detects that the housing 302 is open and sends a housing open signal to the alarm 314 to generate an alert. The alarm 314 may, in response, generate the alert to notify nearby personnel that the housing 302 has been opened and that the interior of the computing device 300 is accessible.

[0037] When an authorized technician has a key compatible with the key receptacle 318, such as the key 320, the technician may insert the key 320 into the key receptacle 318 from the exterior of the computing device 300. Rotation of the key 320 may cause rotation of the switch bracket 400 to actuate the switch 316. The switch 316 sends a switch actuation signal to the alarm 314 indicating that it is actuated. Subsequently, when the authorized technician opens the housing 302, the sensor 312 detects that the housing is opened and sends a housing open signal to the alarm 314. The alarm 314, having received the switch actuation signal from the switch 316 prior to the housing open signal from the sensor 312 identifies the opening of the housing 302 as an authorized access and suppresses the alert. Subsequently, having suppressed the alert, the technician may remove the key 320 and the alarm 314 may maintain suppression of the alert. That is, the alarm 314 may maintain suppression of the alert when a switch de-actuation signal is received from the switch 316, even while the housing open signal is present from the sensor 312. More particularly, the alarm 314 may maintain suppression of the alert until a housing closed signal is received from the sensor 312.

[0038] As with the alarm module 100, in other examples, the alarm 314 may generate the alert again if they key 320 is removed prior to the housing 302 being closed, and hence the key 320 may be maintained in the key receptacle 318 (e.g., by the detents) until access to the interior of the computing device 300 is complete.

[0039] Returning to FIG. 3, the alarm module 310 may further include a secondary switch 322. In particular, the secondary switch 322 is disposed in the interior of the computing device 300 so as to be accessible when the housing 302 is open as a secondary manner of suppressing the alert generated by the alarm 314. In particular, the secondary switch 322 may be a push button, another type of mechanical switch, an optical switch, an electric switch, or other suitable switch. Since the secondary switch 322 may only be actuated after the sensor 312 detects that the housing 302 is open, actuation of the secondary switch 322 may not suppress the alert generated by the alarm 314 immediately or entirely. In particular, the alarm 314 may maintain the alert for a predefined period of time when the secondary switch 322 is actuated after the sensor 312 detects that the housing is open. For example, the alert may be maintained for 15 to 30 seconds, or other suitable periods of time after receiving a secondary switch actuation signal from the secondary switch 322. After the predefined period of time, the alarm 314 may suppress the alert.

[0040] As described above, an example alarm module allows a mechanism to suppress alerts when an authorized user is accessing a housing. Specifically, when the switch is actuated prior to or while the housing is being opened, the alarm may suppress alerts. Further, the alarm may maintain suppression of alerts even if the switch is de-actuated while the housing is open, and may maintain suppression of the alerts until the housing is closed. The alarm module may further provide a secondary mechanism for suppressing alerts, which causes the alarm to be generated for a predefined period of time, so as to serve its notification function, and suppress the alert after the predefined period of time.

[0041 ] The scope of the claims should not be limited by the above examples, but should be given the broadest interpretation consistent with the description as a whole.