PORTABLE MEMORY AND A METHOD FOR ENCRYPTING THE SAME

• US 20100080387A1
• Filed: 08/05/2009
• Published: 04/01/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 09/28/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lenovo (Beijing) Limited (Lenovo Group Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Lenovo (Beijing) Limited (Lenovo Group Ltd.)
• Inventors: Chen, Cheng, FAN, LEI
• Granted Patent: US 8,325,921 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 380/259
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/31 User authentication
• 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

Abstract

The present invention provides a portable memory, comprising: a key storage unit for storing a register key for the portable memory; a key receiving unit for receiving a first key entered by a user and generating a second key based on the first key; an identification unit for comparing the second key with the register key to obtain a comparison result; a key generation unit for generating an encryption/decryption key if the comparison result indicates that the second key matches the register key; a chip for encrypting/decrypting a data stream exchanged between a computer and the portable memory by using the encryption/decryption key. The portable memory constitutes a system itself, and thus can perform encryption/decryption operations independent of external systems, resulting in a reduced cost. The present invention also provides a method of encrypting a portable memory.

Claims

1. A portable memory, comprising:

a key storage unit for storing a register key for the portable memory;

a key receiving unit for receiving a first key entered by a user and generating a second key based on the first key;

an identification unit for comparing the second key with the register key to obtain a comparison result;

a key generation unit for generating an encryption/decryption key if the comparison result indicates that the second key matches the register key; and

a chip for encrypting /decrypting a data stream exchanged between a computer and the portable memory by using the encryption/decryption key.

2. The portable memory according to claim 1, wherein the encryption/decryption key is a symmetrical key.

3. The portable memory according to claim 1, wherein the user enters the first key by means of a keyboard provided on a shell of the portable memory.

4. The portable memory according to claim 1, wherein the user enters the first key by means of a touch screen provided on a shell of the portable memory.

5. The portable memory according to claim 1, wherein the user enters the first key by means of an externally connected keyboard or an externally connected bar code recognizer.

6. The portable memory according to claim 1, wherein there are a plurality of register keys, and the identification unit compares the second key with each of the register keys until the second key matches one of the register keys or the second key matches none of the register keys.

7. The portable memory according to claim 6, further comprising:

a key generation unit for adding, deleting or modifying the register keys in the key storage unit.

8. The portable memory according to claim 7, wherein the key storage unit, the key receiving unit, the identification unit, the key generation unit and the key management unit are integrated in a monolithic processor.

9. The portable memory according to claim 8, wherein the chip and the monolithic processor are integrated on a bridge board.

10. A method for encrypting a portable memory, comprising:

storing a register key for the portable memory;

receiving a first key entered by a user and generating a second key based on the first key;

comparing the second key with the register key to obtain a comparison result;

generating an encryption/decryption key if the comparison result indicates that the second key matches the register key; and

encrypting/decrypting a data stream exchanged between a computer and the portable memory by using the encryption/decryption key.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the encryption/decryption key is a symmetrical key, and the data stream exchanged between the computer and the portable memory are encrypted/decrypted based on a symmetrical cryptographic algorithm.