Secure storage device with offline code entry

• US 20070016743A1
• Filed: 07/14/2006
• Published: 01/18/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 07/14/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kingston Digital, Inc. (Kingston Technology Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Ironkey Incorporated (Proofpoint Incorporated)
• Inventors: Jevans, David
• Granted Patent: US 8,321,953 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 711/164
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/31 User authentication
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/32 using biometric data, e.g. fingerprints, iris scans or voiceprints
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/79 in semiconductor storage media, e.g. directly-addressable memories

Abstract

A system to authorize access to secured data storage can compromise a user interface configured to receive a user code offline from a user to allow access to stored data, circuitry configured to authorize access to the stored data based, at least in part, on the user code and provide access to the stored data, and a storage system configured to store the stored data.

Claims

1. A system to authorize access to secured data storage, the system comprising:

a user interface configured to receive a user code offline from a user to allow access to stored data;

circuitry configured to authorize access to the stored data based, at least in part, on the user code and provide access to the stored data;

and

a storage system configured to store the stored data.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a communications interface configured to send a signal to a digital device that the stored data is authorized for access.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the circuitry is further configured to alert the user that access to the stored data is allowed based on the authorization.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the circuitry configured to authorize access to the stored data comprises the circuitry configured to decrypt a security code based on the user code.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the circuitry configured to provide access to the stored data comprises the circuitry configured to decrypt at least some of the stored data.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the circuitry configured to provide access to the stored data comprises the circuitry configured to send a signal to the digital device to recognize and mount a data partition where the stored data is retained.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the user interface is a numerical keypad.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the user interface is a radial dial.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the user interface is a biometric sensor.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the storage system comprises flash memory.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the storage system comprises a hard disk drive.

12. The system of claim 1, further comprising a power system to supply power to the circuitry.

13. A method to authorize access to secured data storage, the method comprising:

receiving a user code offline from a user to allow access to stored data;

authorizing access to the stored data based, at least in part, on the user code;

and

providing access to the stored data.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising sending a signal to a digital device that the stored data is authorized for access.

15. The method of claim 13, further comprising alerting the user that access to the stored data is allowed based on the authorization.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein authorizing access to the stored data comprises decrypting a security code based on the user code.

17. The method of claim 13, wherein providing access to the stored data comprises decrypting at least some of the stored data.

18. The method of claim 13, wherein providing access to the stored data comprises sending a signal to the digital device to recognize and mount a data partition where the stored data is retained.

19. The method of claim 13, wherein the user code is received from a numerical keypad.

20. The method of claim 13, wherein the user code is received from a radial dial.

21. The method of claim 13, wherein the user code is received from a biometric sensor.

22. The method of claim 13, wherein the stored data is retained within flash memory.

23. The method of claim 13, wherein the stored data is retained within a hard disk drive.

24. A software product to authorize access to secured data storage, the software product comprising:

software operational when executed by a processor to receive a user code offline from a user to allow access to stored data, authorize access to the stored data based, at least in part, on the user code, and provide access to the stored data; and

a storage medium configured to store the software product.

25. The software product of claim 24, wherein the software is further operational when executed by the processor to send a signal to a digital device that the stored data is authorized for access.

26. The software product of claim 24, wherein the software is further operational when executed by the processor to alert the user that access to the stored data is allowed based on the authorization.

27. The software product of claim 24, wherein the software is operational when executed by the processor to authorize access to the stored data comprises the software operational when executed by the processor to decrypt a security code based on the user code.

28. The software product of claim 24, wherein the software is operational when executed by the processor to provide access to the stored data comprises the software operational when executed by the processor to decrypt at least some of the stored data.

29. The software product of claim 24, wherein the software is operational when executed by the processor to provide access to the stored data comprises the software operational when executed by the processor to send a signal to the digital device to recognize and mount a data partition where the stored data is retained.

30. The software product of claim 24, wherein the software is operational when executed by the processor to receive the user code from a numerical keypad.

31. The software product of claim 24, wherein the software is operational when executed by the processor to receive the user code from a radial dial.

32. The software product of claim 24, wherein the software is operational when executed by the processor to receive the user code from a biometric sensor.

33. The software product of claim 24, wherein the software is operational when executed by the processor to provide access to the stored data within flash memory.

34. The software product of claim 24, wherein the software is operational when executed by the processor to provide access to the stored data within a hard disk drive.

35. The software product of claim 24, further comprising a power system to supply power to the processor.