Method for partitioning memory mass storage device

• US 20030225960A1
• Filed: 06/01/2002
• Published: 12/04/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/01/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Solid State System Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Solid State System Co., Ltd.
• Inventors: Chen, Yin Guei, Guu, Morris
• Granted Patent: US 7,114,051 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 711/103
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 12/1466 Key-lock mechanism
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2003/0697 device management, e.g. handlers, drivers, I/O schedulers
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/80 in storage media based on magnetic or optical technology, e.g. disks with sectors preventing unauthorised reproduction or copying of disc-type recordable media G11B20/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0601 Interfaces specially adapted for storage systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0664 at device level, e.g. emulation of a storage device or system

Abstract

A method for partitioning a memory mass storage device is disclosed. The partition task is performed by the controller within the memory mass storage device. Firstly, the controller partitions the logical space of the memory storage device into multiple areas, each area belonging to a particular drive. Secondly, the controller partitions the logical space of the memory storage device into a public area and a security area, both areas belonging to the same drive. Finally, the controller partitions the logical space of the memory storage device into multiple areas, which include public areas and security areas and belong to multiple drives.

Claims

1. A method for partitioning a memory storage device under the direction of a controller within said memory storage device, wherein said memory storage device includes a memory module having at least one memory chip, comprising the steps of

partitioning a logical space of said memory storage device into a plurality of areas, each area being allocated to a drive for use with a host respectively;

storing partition information of said logical space into an information block within said memory module;

reading said information block within said memory module into said controller after initial power-on; and

responding to the host input for reading a basic information regarding said memory storage device according to the contents of said information block loaded into said controller.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said information block is comprised of the memory chip information, the number of drives, and the partition information of each drive.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein said partition information of each drive is comprised of partitioned area starting address, the length of the partitioned area, and the attribute of the partitioned area.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said basic information includes the number of drives.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein said basic information includes the size of each drive.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein said memory module is selected from one of a group containing ROMs, PROMs, EEPROMs, flash memory and hard disks.

7. A method for partitioning a memory storage device under the direction of a controller within said memory storage device, said memory storage device including a memory module having at least one memory chip, comprising the steps of

partitioning a logical space into at least one security area, said security area being allocated to a particular drive for use with a host;

storing partition information of said logical space into an information block within said memory module, said partition information including a password for accessing said security area;

reading said information block within said memory module into said controller after initial power-on, wherein said password within said information block is loaded into said controller ;

and

responding to a host input password for accessing said security area, comparing said host input password with said password loaded into said controller.

wherein said security area of said particular drive is unable to be accessed by said host after initial power-on;

said security area of said particular drive being able to be accessed by said host after passing the password identification.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein said information block further comprised of the memory chip information, the number of drives, and the partition information of each drive.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein said partition information of each drive is comprised of said security area starting address, length, and the attribute of the partitioned area.

10. The method of claim 7, wherein said memory module is selected from one of a group containing ROMs, PROMs, EEPROMs, flash memory and hard disks.

11. The method of claim 7, further comprising a security management program executed in said host side for asking an end user to enter a password.

12. The method of claim 7, further comprising

partitioning said logical space into at least one public area, said public area being allocated to said particular drive for use with said host;

storing partition information regarding said public area of said particular drive into said information block within said memory module;

reading said information block within said memory module into said controller after initial power-on; and

responding to the host input for reading a basic information regarding said memory storage device according to the contents of said information block loaded into said controller.

wherein said public area of said particular drive is able to be accessed by said host after initial power-on.

13. The method of claims 11, further comprising the steps of partitioning said logical space into at least one public area, said public area being allocated to said particular drive for use with said host, wherein said security management program is stored in said public area.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the sizes of said security area or said public area are adjustable.

15. A security memory storage device for use with a host, comprising:

a memory module including at least one memory chip for storing data therein, said memory module being divided into a plurality of blocks including at least one information block for storing a partition information therein, and

a controller for partitioning a logical space of said security memory storage device, comprising

partitioning said logical space into at least one security area, said security area being allocated to a particular drive for use with said host;

storing partition information of said logical space into said information block within said memory module, said partition information including a password for accessing said security area;

reading said information block within said memory module into said controller after initial power-on;

wherein said password within said information block is loaded into said controller ;

and

responding to a host input password for accessing said security area, comparing said host input password with said password loaded into said controller.

wherein said security area of said particular drive is unable to be accessed by said host after initial power-on;

said security area of said particular drive being able to be accessed by said host after passing the password identification.

16. The method of claim 15, said memory module is removable.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein said memory module is selected from one of a group containing ROMs, PROMs, EEPROMs, flash memory and hard disks.