High security memory system

• US 20060064603A1
• Filed: 09/21/2004
• Published: 03/23/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/21/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Avago Technologies General IP PTE Limited (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Broadcom Corporation (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Inventors: Khare, Rajendra, Mishra, Brajabandhu, Relan, Sandeep
• Application Number:
  US10/945,596
• Publication Number:
  US 20060064603A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 713/193
• 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 2221/2111 Location-sensitive, e.g. geographical location, GPS
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 40/20 Information technology specific aspects, e.g. CAD, simulation, modelling, system security

Abstract

Presented herein are systems, methods, and apparatus for a high security memory system. In one embodiment, there is presented a memory system for storing and securing data. The memory system comprises a media, a first circuit, and a second circuit. The media stores the data. The first circuit detects a condition. The second circuit disables access to the data, after detection of the condition.

Claims

1. A memory system for storing and securing data, said memory system comprising:

a media for storing the data;

a first circuit for detecting a condition; and

a second circuit for disabling access to the data, after detection of the condition.

2. The memory system of claim 1, wherein the condition is indicative of a location of the memory system.

3. The memory system of claim 2, wherein detecting the condition further comprises:

detecting whether a radio signal is received or not received by the first circuit.

4. The memory system of claim 3, wherein detecting the condition further comprises:

detecting the location of the media; and

detecting whether the location of the media is within a predetermined location.

5. The memory system of claim 1, wherein the first circuit comprises:

a receiver for detecting whether a particular radio signal is received or not received.

6. The memory system of claim 1, wherein the first circuit further comprises:

a global positioning system (GPS) circuit for detecting the location of the media; and

wherein the first circuit determines whether the location of the media is within a predetermined region.

7. The memory system of claim 1, wherein disabling access to the data, further comprises:

disconnecting power to at least a portion of the memory system.

8. The memory system of claim 7, further comprising:

a motor for rotating the media; and

wherein the at least a portion of the memory system comprises the motor.

9. The memory system of claim 7, further comprising:

an arm for reading the data from the media; and

wherein the at least a portion of the memory system comprises the arm.

10. The memory system of claim 1, wherein the second circuit comprises a controller for formatting the media after the first circuit detects the condition.

11. The memory system of claim 1, wherein the second circuit comprises a controller for overwriting the data after the first circuit detects the condition.

12. The memory system of claim 1, further comprising:

a casing for housing the media, the first circuit, and the second circuit.

13. A method for protecting data stored on media, said method comprising:

detecting a condition; and

preventing access to the data, after detecting the condition.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the condition is indicative of a location of the media.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein detecting the condition further comprises:

detecting whether a radio signal is received or not received.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein detecting the condition further comprises:

detecting the location of the media; and

detecting whether the location of the media is within a predetermined location.

17. The method of claim 13, wherein disabling access to the data, further comprises:

disconnecting power to at least a portion of the media.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the at least a portion of the media comprises:

a motor for rotating the media.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the at least a portion of the media comprises:

an arm for reading data from the media.

20. The method of claim 13, wherein disabling access to the data further comprises:

formatting the media.

21. The method of claim 13, wherein disabling access to the data further comprises:

overwriting the data on the media.

22. The method of claim 13, wherein disabling access to the data further comprises:

destroying the media.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein destroying the media further comprises:

passing an electric current through the media.

24. The method of claim 22, wherein destroying the media further comprises:

increasing the temperature of the media.

25. A computer system for processing data, said computer system comprising:

a power distribution circuit;

a processor;

a hard disc drive connected to the processor and the power distribution circuit, said hard disc comprising;

media;

a motor connected to the media;

an arm located proximately to the media;

a first circuit operable to detect a condition; and

a second circuit connected to the first circuit, the power supply, and at least a portion of the hard disc, wherein the second circuit selectively prevents or allows distribution of power from the power distribution circuit, based on detection of the condition.

26. The computer system of claim 25, wherein the at least a portion comprises the arm.

27. The computer system of claim 25, wherein the at least a portion comprises the motor.

28. The computer system of claim 25, wherein the second circuit comprises a relay, and wherein the first circuit controls the relay.

29. The computer system of claim 25, wherein the first circuit comprises:

a receiver, said receiver operable to determine whether a particular radio signal is received or not received.

30. The computer system of claim 25, wherein the first circuit further comprises:

a global positioning system(GPS) circuit operable to detect the location of the media; and

wherein the first circuit determines whether the location of the media is within a predetermined region.