Apparatus and method for securing data on a portable storage device
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A secure portable storage device for securing user data under a clear key, the portable storage device being connectable to a host device, the host device selectably writing user data onto the portable storage device and reading user data from the portable storage device, the secure portable storage device comprising:
- a. a storage medium including a secure user area; and
b. a microprocessor operable to use the clear key to decrypt data read from the secure user area and to encrypt data written onto the secure user area.
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Abstract
A portable storage device including a microprocessor and a secure user data area, the microprocessor operable to perform on-the-fly encryption/decryption of secure data stored on the storage device under a user password, the microprocessor also operable to exclude access to the secure user data area unless the user password is provided.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. A secure portable storage device for securing user data under a clear key, the portable storage device being connectable to a host device, the host device selectably writing user data onto the portable storage device and reading user data from the portable storage device, the secure portable storage device comprising:
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a. a storage medium including a secure user area; and
b. a microprocessor operable to use the clear key to decrypt data read from the secure user area and to encrypt data written onto the secure user area. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A secure portable storage device for securing user data under a user password, the portable storage device being connectable to a host device, the host device selectably sending user data to be written onto the portable storage device and receiving user data read from the portable storage device, the secure portable storage device comprising:
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a. a storage medium including a secure user area; and
b. a microprocessor operable to exclude access from the host device to the secure user area unless the user password is provided to the microprocessor. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method for using a user password for securing and accessing user data exchanged with a host device and stored in a portable storage device, the portable storage device including a microprocessor, the method comprising:
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a. generating a secret key by;
operating the microprocessor to generate a random clear key, operating the microprocessor to encrypt the clear key with the user password to obtain the secret key, and storing the secret key within the portable storage device;
b. selectably storing first user data in the portable storage device by;
receiving the first user data from the host device, retrieving the secret key from the portable storage device, operating the microprocessor to decrypt the secret key with the user password to obtain the clear key, and operating the microprocessor to encrypt the first user data and store the encrypted first user data within the portable storage device; and
c. selectably retrieving second encrypted user data from the portable storage device by;
reading second encrypted user data from the portable storage device, retrieving the secret key from the portable storage device, operating the microprocessor to decrypt the secret key with the user password to obtain the clear key, and decrypting the second encrypted user data with the clear key and sending the decrypted second user data to the host device. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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21. A method for using a user password for securing and accessing user data exchanged with a host device and stored in a portable storage device;
- the portable storage device including a microprocessor, a secure storage area, and a register to contain a representation of the user password;
the method comprising;
a. selectably receiving an entered user password;
b. operating the microprocessor to check the entered user password against the representation of the user password, and then;
if the check is positive, operating the microprocessor to allow access, and if the check is negative, operating the microprocessor to exclude access from the secure storage area. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24)
- the portable storage device including a microprocessor, a secure storage area, and a register to contain a representation of the user password;
Specification