Autorun for integrated circuit memory component

• US 20050083741A1
• Filed: 04/12/2004
• Published: 04/21/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 04/11/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: FlexiJet Technologies Inc..
• Original Assignee: Flexiworld Technologies, Inc.
• Inventors: Chang, William Ho, Viswanathan, Vinaynathan
• Granted Patent: US 7,805,720 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 365/200
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/602 Providing cryptographic facilities or services
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/79 in semiconductor storage media, e.g. directly-addressable memories
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/445 Program loading or initiating bootstrapping G06F9/4401; security arrangements for program loading or initiating G06F21/57
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/061 for key exchange, e.g. in peer-to-peer networks cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for key agreement H04L9/0838
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0823 using certificates cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication involving certificates H04L9/3263
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0853 using an additional device, e.g. smartcard, SIM or a different communication terminal cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication involving additional secure or trusted devices H04L9/3234
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0876 based on the identity of the terminal or configuration, e.g. MAC address, hardware or software configuration or device fingerprint
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/069 using certificates or pre-shared keys
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/18 Self-organising networks, e.g. ad-hoc networks or sensor networks

Abstract

Autorun functionality is incorporated into an integrated circuit memory device such as any USB peripheral, which has a memory component interfaced to a USB microcontroller. This provides autorun of one or more executables or application installers from a memory component with a USB interface without an intermediate hardware-based autorun feature. USB peripheral devices internally include a USB microcontroller that performs the functionality associated with identifying the device to a host computing device, such as a personal computer. Autorun firmware is embedded into the USB microcontroller. The autorun firmware enables autorun of an installable or executable application stored on the memory component of the USB device. The firmware acts as bridge component translating all commands and interactions between a host PC and the memory component.

Claims

1. An integrated circuit memory device connectable to a host computing device, comprising:

a controller for controlling interaction between the integrated circuit memory device and the host computing device;

a memory component storing selected software operable on the host computing device; and

autorun software stored on the integrated circuit memory device to load and run the selected software on the host computing device automatically upon activation of the integrated circuit memory device with the host computting device.

2. The integrated circuit memory device of claim 1 in which the autorun software is embedded in the controller.

3. The integrated circuit memory device of claim 1 in which memory component includes a protected memory component and selected software is stored in the protected memory component and in which access to the selected software by the autorun software requires authentication of the autorun software.

4. The integrated circuit memory device of claim 1 further comprising a wireless networking component and the selected software provides operation of the wireless networking component on the host computing device.

5. The integrated circuit memory device of claim 1 further comprising a user operable manual switch that allows a user to select from among plural operating states.

6. The integrated circuit memory device of claim 5 in which the user operable manual switch allows a user to select from among more than two operating states.

7. The integrated circuit memory device of claim 1 with connections to plural distinct peripherals.

8. The integrated circuit memory device of claim 1 further comprising a connection that is connectable to a Universal Serial Bus port.

9. The integrated circuit memory device of claim 1 in which the controller and the memory component operate together as a storage device to the host computing device.

10. An integrated circuit memory device autorun method, comprising:

determining whether autorun software on an integrated circuit memory device is enabled upon activation of the integrated circuit memory device with a host computer;

identifying enabled autorun software to the host computer with a device interface description;

loading and running the autorun software on the host computer.

11. The method of claim 10 further comprising the autorun software re-enumerating itself to the host computing device as a different type of device and the integrated circuit memory device operating with the host computing device as the different type of device.

12. The method of claim 11 in which the different type of device includes a wireless networking device.

13. The method of claim 10 in which the device interface description identifies the integrated circuit memory device in a manner analogous to that of a CD-ROM drive.

14. The method of claim 10 in which the integrated circuit memory device includes a protected memory component where selected software operable on the host computer is stored and in which loading and executing the selected software on the host computer requires authentication of the autorun software by a security application feature stored in the protected memory component.

15. The method of claim 14 in which the security application feature is included in the selected application.

16. In a computer readable medium, integrated circuit memory device autorun software, comprising:

software for identifying enabled autorun software to the host computer with a device interface description;

and software for loading and running the autorun software on the host computer.

17. The medium of claim 16 further comprising software for determining whether autorun software on an integrated circuit memory device is enabled upon activation of the integrated circuit memory device with a host computer;

(maybe moving to dependent claim)

18. The medium of claim 16 further comprising software for the autorun software to re-enumerating itself to the host computing device as a different type of device so that the integrated circuit memory device operates with the host computing device as the different type of device.

19. The medium of claim 16 further comprising a protected memory component in the integrated circuit memory device where selected software operable on the host computer is stored and software for loading and executing the selected software on the host computer upon authentication of the autorun software by a security application feature stored in the protected memory component.