Write-protect method for storage device

• US 20040199735A1
• Filed: 03/18/2004
• Published: 10/07/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 04/07/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: BenQ Corporation (Qisda Corporation)
• Original Assignee: BenQ Corporation (Qisda Corporation)
• Inventors: Lee, Wu-Sung
• Application Number:
  US10/803,836
• Publication Number:
  US 20040199735A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 711/163
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/79 in semiconductor storage media, e.g. directly-addressable memories
• 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 2221/2121 Chip on media, e.g. a disk or tape with a chip embedded in its case

Abstract

A method for write-disabling a storage device is provided. The storage device includes a storage medium and a firmware. The method includes: (a) storing a first parameter in the storage medium; (b) receiving the first parameter from the storage medium by the firmware when the firmware receives a write command, and (c) refusing to execute the write command when the first parameter equals a predetermined disable parameter.

Claims

1. A method for write-disabling a storage device, said storage device having a storage medium and a firmware, said storage device connected to a processing device writing and reading data from said storage medium, said method comprising steps of:

(a) storing a first parameter in said storage medium;

(b) receiving said first parameter from said storage medium by said firmware when said firmware receives a write command from said processing device; and

(c) refusing to execute said write command by said firmware when said first parameter equals a predetermined disable parameter.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said storage medium further comprises a first memory and a second memory, and said first parameter is stored in said first memory.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein said first memory is a flash memory, and said second memory is an SRAM.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein said first parameter is included in a message encoded in accordance with Advanced Technology Attachment Programming Interface (ATAPI).

5. The method of claim 4, wherein said first parameter is stored in said first memory via said second memory.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein said firmware comprises an updating program, said step (a) comprises steps for storing a first parameter in said first memory, and said steps comprise:

(d) receiving said message by said firmware;

(e) copying said updating program to said second memory;

(f) executing said updating program in said second memory for storing said first parameter in said first memory; and

(g) resetting in said first memory.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein said predetermined disable parameter complies with ATAPI.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein said predetermined disable parameter is defined by a code for disabling a write function.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein said processing device is a personal computer.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein said storage device is a disc read/write device.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein said disc read/write device is a CD-RW.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein said disc read/write device is a DVD-RW.