Data storage and access facilitating techniques

• US 20080092219A1
• Filed: 05/29/2007
• Published: 04/17/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/27/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gula Consulting Limited Liability Company (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Original Assignee: Loughton Technology LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Inventors: Beckman, Christopher
• Granted Patent: US 8,914,865 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 726/9
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/34 involving the use of external additional devices, e.g. dongles or smart cards
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2103 Challenge-response

Abstract

An apparatus and method for securely accessing and storing private data files and programs on a personal computing device with network access is provided. A portable data storage unit or authentication unit conjoins to a personal computing device and initiates a software program that delivers hidden authentication information to part of the network. The network then presents secure data files to the user, and enables data and program storage and access by the user. Administrator(s) may program multiple, separately-identifiable portable data storage units to permit different levels of access. When the portable data storage unit or authentication unit is no longer conjoined to the personal computing device, access and presentation of the data are terminated. The portable data storage unit may comprise a pivoting computer port-conjoining member, allowing its housing to run parallel to and lock with the personal computing device housing with a spring-loaded button and ribs along the member.

Claims

1. A portable data storage unit conjoinable to a system of one or more networked computers, which portable data storage unit stores a conjoined-initiating computer program which causes the computer system to present the contents of a file or files from a location in the computer system to a user and provides access and permits modification of said contents of said file by said user.

2. The portable data storage unit conjoinable to a system of claim 1 in which said unit detects that it is conjoined by receiving power from said system.

3. The portable data storage unit conjoinable to a system of claim 2, in which power is received by ambient radiation emanating from the computer system.

4. The portable data storage unit conjoinable to a system of claim 1, in which the conjoined-initiating computer program is user-modifiable, permitting a user to direct which file or files will be accessed by the computer system, with a representation of it or their contents displayed, accessed and potentially modified.

5. The portable data storage unit conjoinable to a system of claim 4, in which said user may direct files that may be accessed but not modified by an other user of an other portable data storage unit conjoinable to said system, which other portable data storage unit stores a conjoined-initiating computer program which causes the computer system to present the contents of said file or files from a location in the computer system to said other user.

6. The portable data storage unit conjoinable to a system of claim 1, in which said computer system requires completion of an authentication-challenge prompt before displaying and providing access to said file or files.

7. The portable data storage unit conjoinable to a system of claim 6, in which the user may complete said authentication-challenge prompt.

8. The portable data storage unit conjoinable to a system of claim 6, in which said conjoined-initiating computer program completes said authentication-challenge prompt.

9. The portable data storage unit conjoinable to a system of claim 1, in which said system comprises 2 or more networked computers, not all of which contain said file or files.

10. The portable data storage unit conjoinable to a system of claim 9, in which the computer or computers that do not contain said file or files are variably networked.

11. The portable data storage unit conjoinable to a system of claim 9, in which said computer or computers are networked by virtue of access to the internet, and in which said file or files are located on a server computer.

12. The portable data storage unit conjoinable to a system of claim 1, in which an additional portable data storage unit or units conjoinable to said system also store or stores a conjoined-initiating computer program or programs which cause said computer system to display said contents of said file or files from said location in the computer system to users of said additional portable data storage unit or units and provides access and permits modification of said contents of said file by said users of said additional portable data storage units.

13. The portable data storage unit conjoinable to a system of claim 1, in which said portable data storage unit and said additional portable data storage unit or units are differentiated and may be configured by an administrator to prevent access to certain of said file or files, or to prevent modification of certain of said file or files.

14. The portable data storage unit conjoinable to a system of claim 1, in which said portable data storage unit may be conjoined to any said networked computer and which portable data storage unit stores a conjoined-initiating computer program which causes the computer system to display the contents of a file or files from a location in the computer system to a user and provides access and permits modification of said contents of said file by said user.

15. The portable data storage unit conjoinable to a system of claim 1, in which said system no longer provides access and permits modification of said contents when said unit is no longer conjoined to said system.

16. A process comprising the following steps:

an administrator creates a file or files of a computer or computers in a computer system;

said administrator programs software on a portable data storage unit conjoinable to said system, or software on said computer system, such that said file or files will be displayed on the screen of any computer within the system to which the portable data storage unit may be later conjoined;

said administrator programs software on a portable data storage unit conjoinable to said system, or software on said computer system, such that said file or files will be modifiable by a user or users;

said administrator authenticates said user or users;

said administrator issues said portable data storage units to said users;

said administrator maintains or modifies rights of presentation, access and modification for any of said users.

17. An authentication unit conjoined to a system of one or more networked computers, which unit stores a conjoined-initiating computer program which, when an authentication routine is entered into the authentication unit, causes the computer system to display the contents of a file or files from a location in the computer system to a user and provides access and permits modification of said contents of said file by said user.

18. The authentication unit conjoined to a system of claim 17, in which the authentication routine is accomplished by biometric input from the user.

19. A portable data storage unit comprising a pivoting computer port-conjoining member, allowing the longest portion of the housing of said portable data storage unit to run parallel to the housing of a computer.

20. The portable data storage unit of claim 19, further comprising a computer port-conjoining member which is spring-loaded to close with the housing, and locking members which prevent the closing of the computer port-conjoining member but which also are removed when a button is depressed as the portable data storage unit conjoins with a computer port, causing ribs tending to hold said portable data storage unit to said to said computer port, and one of which ribs prevents the full closure of the computer port-conjoining member as said portable data storage unit is removed from said computer port.