Removable computer with mass storage

• US 20080295167A1
• Filed: 06/26/2008
• Published: 11/27/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 08/02/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: SanDisk Technologies LLC (Western Digital Corporation)
• Original Assignee: SanDisk Technologies LLC (Western Digital Corporation)
• Inventors: Pinto, Yosi, Holtzman, Michael
• Application Number:
  US12/215,573
• Publication Number:
  US 20080295167A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 726/20
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/34 involving the use of external additional devices, e.g. dongles or smart cards
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/606 by securing the transmission between two devices or processes
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/78 to assure secure storage of data address-based protection against unauthorised use of memory G06F12/14; record carriers for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings G06K19/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/65 Updates security arrangements therefor G06F21/57
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/3879 for non-native instruction execution, e.g. executing a command; for Java instruction set
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/445 Program loading or initiating bootstrapping G06F9/4401; security arrangements for program loading or initiating G06F21/57

Abstract

The present invention provides a detachable add-on card unit to a host system that combines mass storage capability and a processor on the same card. The card can receive data from the host, process the data, and store it in processed form, as well as the reverse process of retrieving stored data, processing it, and supplying it to the host. The non-volatile mass storage memory may contain program storage as well as card system data and user data. The end user of the card can program applications into the program storage. The combination of mass storage and a processor also adds to the capabilities of the on-card processor, allowing the card to store and execute programs. The present invention is able to provide a programmable add-on card unit to a host system. A number of applications can be stored in the card'"'"'s mass storage and loaded as needed by the on-card micro-controller.

Claims

1. A secured apparatus, comprising:

a host unit having an input mechanism for receiving user inputs from an user, wherein said user inputs comprise security data for user verification; and

a card unit detachably coupling to said host unit, wherein said host unit transmits said security data to said card unit for said user verification, wherein said card unit performs said user verification using said security data received from said host unit, and wherein an user verification result is returned to said host unit from said card unit,

wherein when said user verification result indicates that said user is an authorized user, said user is authorized to use said secured apparatus.

2. The secured apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said security data comprises a voice sample captured from said user.

3. The secured apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said security data comprises a password.

4. The secured apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said security data comprises biometric data of said user.