Password system utilizing two password types, the first being changeable after entry, the second being unchangeable until power is removed

• US 5,115,508 A
• Filed: 03/29/1988
• Issued: 05/19/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 05/22/1984
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha (Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha (Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: Hatta, Koichi
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, Thomas C.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ellis, Richard Lee
• Application Number:
  US07/175,614
• Time in Patent Office: 1,512 Days
• Field of Search: 364/200 MS File, 364/900 MS File, 380/4, 380/23, 380/24, 380/25, 340/825.3, 340/825.34, 235/380, 235/382, 235/382.5
• US Class Current: 340/5.22
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/31 User authentication
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/79 in semiconductor storage media, e.g. directly-addressable memories

Abstract

An information protective device protects stored information such as a program, data or the like in an information processing apparatus such as small type of portable computer or the like. The information protective device comprises a prohibition condition storing portion, which stores the writing prohibition condition to a storage unit for programs, data or the like, and a prohibition condition setting means, which carries out the writing of prohibition instructions to be stored in the storing portion to set the writing prohibition condition, so that the storage unit may be handled like so-called read only memory (ROM), whereby the storing contents may be protected more positively.

Claims

1. A security system for a data entry and storage device comprising:

keyboard means for enabling the device to permit at least entry or retrieval of data to or from the device, said keyboard means being responsive to a predetermined password, said predetermined password being of a first or a second type, said first type of predetermined password containing a descriptive portion, said second type of predetermined password containing both a descriptive portion and a coded portion, a user password being entered on said keyboard means before enabling of said device;

means for entering at least the predetermined password in the device before said user password is entered;

means for storing the entered predetermined password in the device before said user password is entered;

means for identifying said user password entered on the keyboard means and for determining whether said user password corresponds to said descriptive portion of said predetermined password and for determining whether the entered predetermined password is a first or second type;

means for enabling said device to enter and retrieve protected data through said keyboard means after said means for entering enters said predetermined password, after said keyboard means enters a user password, and after said means for identifying determines correspondence between said user password and the descriptive portion of said predetermined password;

said means for entering further entering a new predetermined password if said means for enabling has enabled the device and if said means for identifying determines the previously entered predetermined password is a first type; and

means for precluding said means for entering from entering the new predetermined password after an initial predetermined password is entered provided said initial predetermined password is said second type of predetermined password, however, said means for precluding permitting entry of the new predetermined password by said means for entering provided said initial predetermined password is said first type of predetermined password.

2. The security system as recited in claim 1, wherein said security system further includes means for supplying power to said system, said means for precluding failing to preclude entry of a new password regardless of whether said initial predetermined password is said first or second type when the supply of power to said system by said means for supplying is interrupted.

3. The security system as recited in claim 1, wherein said coded portion of said second type of password is a semicolon and said means for precluding prohibits entry of a new password after an initial password with a semicolon coded portion has been entered unless a supply of power to said system is interrupted.

4. A method for protecting data in a data entry and storage device comprising the steps of:

entering a predetermined password in the device, said predetermined password being a first or a second type, said first type of predetermined password containing a descriptive portion and said second type of predetermined password containing both a descriptive portion and a coded portion;

entering and storing data in said device, said data being associated with the predetermined password;

inputting a user password in said device;

determining whether said user password corresponds to the descriptive portion of the predetermined password;

accessing said data if said user password corresponds to the descriptive portion of the predetermined password;

entering a new predetermined password after the accessing if the predetermined password which was previously entered is a first type, said new predetermined password being exchanged for the previously entered predetermined password upon entering of the new predetermined password; and

precluding entry of a new predetermined password after the accessing if the previously entered predetermined password is a second type.

5. The method for protecting data as recited in claim 4, further comprising the step of interrupting a supply of power to the device whereafter entry of a new predetermined password is permitted regardless of whether the previously entered predetermined password is a first or second type, the step of precluding therefor failing to preclude entry after the interrupting until a new predetermined password is entered.

6. A security system for a data entry and storage device comprising:

keyboard means for enabling the device to permit at least entry of retrieval of data to or from the device, said keyboard means being responsive to a predetermined password, said predetermined password being of a first or a second type, said first type of predetermined password containing a descriptive portion, said second type of predetermined password containing both a descriptive portion and a coded portion, a user password being entered on said keyboard means before enabling said device;

means for entering at least the predetermined password into the device before said user password is entered;

means for storing the entered predetermined password in the device;

means for identifying said user password entered on the keyboard means and for determining whether said user password corresponds to said descriptive portion of said predetermined password and for determining whether the entered password is a first or second type;

means for enabling said device to enter and retrieve protected data through said keyboard means after said means for entering enters said predetermined password, after said keyboard means enters a user password, and after said means for identifying determines correspondence between said user password and the descriptive portion of said predetermined password;

said means for entering allowing a user to change or erase the retrieved protected data through the keyboard means if said means for enabling has enabled the device and if said means for identifying determines the previously entered predetermined password is a first type;

means for precluding said means for entering from allowing the user to change or erase the retrieved protected data after an initial predetermined password is entered provided said initial predetermined password is said second type of predetermined password, however, said means for precluding allowing the user to change or erase the retrieved protected data provided said initial predetermined password is said first type of predetermined password; and

means for supplying power to the system, said means for precluding allowing changing or erasing of the retrieved protected data regardless of whether said initial predetermined password is said first or second type when the supply of power to said system by said means for supplying is interrupted and then restored.

7. A method for protecting data in a data entry and storage device comprising the steps of:

entering a predetermined password in the device, said predetermined password being a first or a second type, said first type of predetermined password containing a descriptive portion and said second type of predetermined password containing both a descriptive portion and a coded portion;

entering and storing data in said device, said data being associated with the predetermined password;

inputting a user password in said device;

determining whether said user password corresponds to the descriptive portion of the predetermined password;

accessing said data if said user password corresponds to the descriptive portion of the predetermined password;

changing or erasing the predetermined password after the accessing if the predetermined password which was previously entered is a first type;

precluding changing or erasing of the predetermined password after the accessing if the previously entered predetermined password is a second type; and

interrupting a supply of power to the device whereafter changing or erasing of the predetermined password is permitted regardless of whether the previously entered predetermined password is a first or second type, the step of precluding therefore failing to preclude changing or erasing after the interrupting until a new predetermined password is entered.