Secure compact flash

• US 20050185067A1
• Filed: 02/22/2005
• Published: 08/25/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 02/23/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
• Inventors: Estakhri, Petro, Le, Ngon
• Granted Patent: US 7,607,177 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/231.900
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 12/14 Protection against unauthorised use of memory or access to memory
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 12/1408 by using cryptography for digital transmission H04L9/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2212/402 Encrypted data
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/3226 using a predetermined code, e.g. password, passphrase or PIN network architectures or network communication protocols for supporting authentication of entities using passwords in a packet data network H04L63/083
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4184 providing storage capabilities, e.g. memory stick
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4223 Cameras H04N23/00 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42684 Client identification by a unique number or address, e.g. serial number, MAC address, socket ID network arrangements, protocols or services for addressing or naming H04L61/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4367 Establishing a secure communication between the client and a peripheral device or smart card
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4753 for user identification, e.g. by entering a PIN or password cryptographic authentication protocols H04L9/32; networks authentication protocols H04L63/08
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/772 the recording apparatus and the television camera being placed in the same enclosure
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/907 using static stores, e.g. storage tubes or semiconductor memories H04N5/91 takes precedence

Abstract

An embodiment of the present invention includes a nonvolatile memory card including a controller and nonvolatile memory coupled to the controller, the controller causing communication between the nonvolatile memory and a host, the nonvolatile memory including active memory for securing access to the card.

Claims

1. A nonvolatile memory card comprising:

controller;

nonvolatile memory coupled to the controller, the controller causing communication between the nonvolatile memory and a host, the nonvolatile memory including active memory for securing access to the card.

2. A nonvolatile memory card, as recited in claim 1, wherein the card is a compact flash card.

3. A nonvolatile memory card, as recited in claim 1, wherein the active memory is used to store information that remains in tact even during formatting or re-formatting of the card.

4. A nonvolatile memory card, as recited in claim 1, wherein the active memory is used to store a user password in encrypted form.

5. A nonvolatile memory card, as recited in claim 4, wherein the active memory is used to store a serial number, in encypted form, the serial number being associated with a system in which the card is intended to be utilized, the encrypted password and serial number cause secure access to the active memory.

6. A nonvolatile memory card, as recited in claim 5, further including a reader coupled to the card for configuring the card by storing the encrypted password and serial number.

7. A nonvolatile memory card, as recited in claim 6, wherein in response to a reader-issued command, the card returns an extra field identifying the card as having active memory.

8. A nonvolatile memory card, as recited in claim 7, wherein the card is authenticated.

9. A nonvolatile memory card, as recited in claim 8, wherein the card is authenticated by comparing an encrypted password and an encrypted serial number from the reader to an encrypted password and an encrypted serial number stored in the active memory, wherein, upon successful comparison thereof, the card is authenticated.

10. A nonvolatile memory card, as recited in claim 9, wherein a randomly-generated key is further used to authenticate the card.

11. A nonvolatile memory card, as recited in claim 10, wherein storage of the key is such that different parts of the key are stored in different storage locations thus spreading storage of the key to further increase security of the card.

12. A method for securing a nonvolatile memory card comprising:

reserving an active memory area within nonvolatile memory located in the nonvolatile memory card;

identifying the nonvolatile memory card as being a secure card; and

storing information in the active memory for preventing unauthorized access to the nonvolatile memory card.

13. A method for securing, as recited in claim 12, further including the step of storing a password in the active memory area.

14. A method for securing, as recited in claim 13, further including the step of encrypting the password prior to storing thereof.

15. A method for securing, as recited in claim 12, further including the step of storing a serial number in the active memory area.

16. A method for securing, as recited in claim 15, further including the step of encrypting the serial number prior to storing thereof.

17. A method for securing, as recited in claim 12, further including the step of receiving a first key for comparison of the received first key to information stored in the active memory for authentication of the nonvolatile memory card.

18. A method for securing, as recited in claim 17, further including the step of receiving a second key for comparison of the received second key to information stored in the active memory for authentication of the nonvolatile memory card.

24. A computer readable medium, as recited in claim 18, for further performing the step of receiving a first key for comparison of the received first key to information stored in the active memory for authentication of the nonvolatile memory card.

25. A computer readable medium, as recited in claim 17, for further performing the step of receiving a second key for comparison of the received second key to information stored in the active memory for authentication of the nonvolatile memory card.

19. A computer readable medium having stored therein computer readable program code comprising instructions for performing the following steps:

reserving an active memory area within nonvolatile memory located in the nonvolatile memory card;

identifying the nonvolatile memory card as being a secure card; and

storing information in the active memory for preventing unauthorized access to the nonvolatile memory card.

20. A computer readable medium, as recited in claim 19, for further performing the step of storing a password in the active memory area.

21. A computer readable medium, as recited in claim 20, for further performing the step of encrypting the password prior to storing thereof.

22. A computer readable medium, as recited in claim 19, for further performing the step of storing a serial number in the active memory area.

23. A computer readable medium, as recited in claim 22, for further performing the step of encrypting the serial number prior to storing thereof.

26. A nonvolatile memory system comprising:

nonvolatile memory card including nonvolatile memory having an active memory area;

a reader coupled to the nonvolatile memory card; and

digital electronic device coupled to the reader for- configuring and authenticating the nonvolatile memory card,

wherein the active memory area is used to cause secure access to the nonvolatile memory card.

27. A nonvolatile memory system, as recited in claim 26, wherein the card is a compact flash card.

28. A nonvolatile memory system, as recited in claim 26, wherein the active memory area is used to store information that remains in tact even during formatting or re-formatting of the card.

29. A nonvolatile memory system, as recited in claim 26, wherein the active memory area is used to store a user password in encrypted form.

30. A nonvolatile memory system, as recited in claim 29, wherein the active memory area is used to store a serial number, in encypted form, the serial number being associated with a system in which the card is intended to be utilized, the encrypted password and serial number cause secure access to the active memory.

31. A nonvolatile memory system, as recited in claim 30, wherein in response to a reader-issued command, the card returns an extra field identifying the card as having active memory.

32. A nonvolatile memory system, as recited in claim 31, wherein the card is authenticated.

33. A nonvolatile memory system, as recited in claim 32, wherein the card is authenticated by comparing an encrypted password and an encrypted serial number from the reader to an encrypted password and an encrypted serial number stored in the active memory, wherein, upon successful comparison thereof, the card is authenticated.

34. A nonvolatile memory system, as recited in claim 33, wherein a randomly-generated key is further used to authenticate the card.

35. A nonvolatile memory system, as recited in claim 34, wherein storage of the key is such that different parts of the key are stored in different storage locations thus spreading storage of the key to further increase security of the card.