Security for mass storage devices in imaging devices
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method of operating an imaging device containing a mass storage device, comprising:
- receiving a first command object indicative of a desire to restrict access to the mass storage device; and
activating at least one protection for the mass storage device in response to the first command object.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Imaging devices can have mass storage devices associated with them. In a networked environment that allows mounting of a shared resource, these mass storage devices can be viewed or even altered by anyone who can connect to the imaging device. However, unrestricted access may be undesirable. The various embodiments provide methods and apparatus for securing these mass storage devices. Security is variable among different sets of users or external devices attempting access of the mass storage device.
-
Citations
27 Claims
-
1. A method of operating an imaging device containing a mass storage device, comprising:
-
receiving a first command object indicative of a desire to restrict access to the mass storage device; and
activating at least one protection for the mass storage device in response to the first command object. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
-
-
8. A method of operating an imaging device containing a mass storage device, comprising:
-
restricting at least one of read privileges and write privileges to the mass storage device from at least one external device in response to receiving a first token; and
restoring, at least partially, a restricted privilege in response to receiving a second token. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11)
-
-
12. An imaging device, comprising:
-
a formatter for rendering image data into a printable image;
a print engine for producing a tangible output image from a printable image;
a mass storage device for storing at least one of image data and printable images; and
a processor;
wherein the processor is adapted to recognize one or more access command objects and to respond to the access command objects by setting read and write privileges between the mass storage device and external devices. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14)
-
-
15. An imaging device, comprising:
-
a formatter for rendering image data into a printable image;
a print engine for producing a tangible output image from a printable image; and
a mass storage device for storing at least one of image data and printable images;
wherein access to the mass storage device is controllable through the use of command objects passed to the imaging device through a communication port. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19)
-
-
20. A computer-usable media having computer-readable instructions stored thereon capable of causing a processor to perform a method, the method comprising:
-
recognizing a first command object indicative of a desire to restrict access to the mass storage device; and
activating at least one protection for the mass storage device in response to the first command object. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23)
-
-
24. A computer-usable media having computer-readable instructions stored thereon capable of causing a processor to perform a method, the method comprising:
-
restricting at least one of read privileges and write privileges to the mass storage device for at least one external device in response to receiving a first token indicating a desire to restrict access to the mass storage device; and
restoring, at least partially, a restricted privilege in response to receiving a second token indicating a desire to expand access to the mass storage device. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27)
-
Specification