Secret information protection system erasing secret information upon detection of authorized user-initiated event

• US 5,572,696 A
• Filed: 11/24/1992
• Issued: 11/05/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 11/27/1991
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
• Original Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
• Inventors: Sonobe, Masayuki
• Primary Examiner(s): MOORE, DAVID K
• Application Number:
  US07/980,706
• Time in Patent Office: 1,442 Days
• Field of Search: 395/425, 395/400, 395/725, 395/750, 235/382, 235/382.5, 380/3, 380/59, 365/218
• US Class Current: 711/202
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/86 Secure or tamper-resistant housings
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2143 Clearing memory, e.g. to prevent the data from being stolen

Abstract

A secret information protection system for protecting secret information stored in an information processing system from access by an unauthorized user after an authorized user terminates the authorized user'"'"'s use of the information processing system. The secret information protection system includes a storage device for storing the secret information and an erasure instructing device for generating an erasing instruction to erase the secret information from the storage device. The erasure instructing device has a switch, operated by the authorized person when the authorized person terminates the authorized person'"'"'s use of the information processing system, for generating the erasing instruction when the authorized person terminates the authorized person'"'"'s use of the information processing system. An erasure device erases the secret information in accordance with the erasing instruction from the erasure instructing device.

Claims

1. A secret information protection system for protecting secret information stored in an information processing system from access by an unauthorized user, the information processing system having an IC card for processing information, the secret information protection system comprising:

storage means for storing the secret information;

erasure instructing means for detecting removal of the IC card from the information processing system, and, when removal is detected, for generating an erasing instruction to erase the secret information from the storage means; and

erasure means, operatively connected to the storage means, for erasing the secret information in accordance with the erasing instruction from the erasure instructing means.

2. A secret information protection system for protecting secret information stored in an information processing system from access by an unauthorized user, the secret information protection system comprising:

a cover which opens to allow a user to access the information processing system and closes to prevent access to the information processing system;

storage means for storing the secret information;

erasure instructing means for generating an erasing instruction to erase the secret information from the storage means, the erasure instructing means comprising a cover switch, operated by opening and closing the cover, for generating the erasing instruction when the cover closes, and

erasure means, operatively connected to the storage means, for erasing the secret information in accordance with the erasing instruction from the erasure instructing means.

3. A secret information protection system for protecting secret information stored in an information processing system from access by an unauthorized user, a power source supplying power to the information processing system when an authorized person accesses the information processing system, the supply of power being disconnected when the authorized user terminates the authorized user'"'"'s access to the information processing system, the secret information protection system comprising:

storage means for storing the secret information;

erasure instructing means for detecting disconnection of the supply of power to the information processing system and, when disconnection is detected, for generating an erasing instruction to erase the secret information from the storage means; and

erasure means, operatively connected to the storage means, for erasing the secret information in accordance with the erasing instruction from the erasure instructing means.

4. A secret information protection system for protecting secret information stored in an information processing system from access by an unauthorized user, the information processing system being connected to a telephone line for transmitting information to, or receiving information from, the information processing system, the secret information protection system comprising:

storage means for storing the secret information;

erasure instructing means for detecting disconnection of the telephone line from the information processing system based on a change in voltage/current thereof, and, when disconnection is detected, for generating an erasing instruction to erase the secret information from the storage means; and

erasure means, operatively connected to the storage means, for erasing the secret information in accordance with the erasing instruction from the erasure instructing means.

5. A secret information protection system for protecting secret information stored in an information processing system from access by an unauthorized user, the information processing system being connected to a telephone line for transferring information to, or receiving information from, the information processing system, the secret information protection system comprising:

storage means for storing the secret information;

erasure instructing means for detecting disconnection of the telephone line and, when disconnection is detected, for generating an erasing instruction to erase the secret information from the storage means; and

erasure means, operatively connected to the storage means, for erasing the secret information in accordance with the erasing instruction from the erasure instructing means.

6. A secret information protection system for protecting secret information stored in an information processing system from access by an unauthorized user, the information processing system being connected to a modem for transferring information to, or receiving information from, the information processing system, the secret information protection system comprising:

storage means for storing the secret information;

erasure instructing means for detecting disconnection of the modem from the information processing system based on a change in voltage/current thereof, and, when disconnection is detected, for generating an erasing instruction; and

erasure means, operatively connected to the storage means, for erasing the secret information in accordance with the erasing instruction from the erasure instructing means.

7. A secret information protection system for protecting secret information stored in an information processing system from access by an unauthorized user, the information processing system being connected to a modem for transferring information to, or receiving information from, the secret information protection system, the secret information protection system comprising:

storage means for storing the secret information;

erasure instructing means for detecting disconnection of the modem and, when disconnection is detected, for generating an erasing instruction to erase the secret information from the storage means; and

erasure means, operatively connected to the storage means, for erasing the secret information in accordance with the erasing instruction from the erasure instructing means.

8. A secret information protection system for protecting secret information stored in an information processing system from access by an unauthorized user, the information processing system being connected to a packet assembly/disassembly apparatus for transferring information from, or receiving information by, the information processing system, the secret information protection system comprising:

storage means for storing the secret information;

erasure instructing means for detecting disconnection of the packet assembly/disassembly apparatus from the information processing system based on a change in voltage/current thereof, and, when disconnection is detected, for generating an erasing instruction to erase the secret information from the storage means; and

erasure means, operatively connected to the storage means, for erasing the secret information in accordance with the erasing instruction from the erasure instructing means.

9. A secret information protection system for protecting secret information stored in an information processing system from access by an unauthorized user, the information processing system being connected to a packet assembly/disassembly apparatus for transferring information from, or receiving information by, the information processing system, the secret information protection system comprising:

storage means for storing the secret information;

erasure instructing means for detecting disconnection of the packet assembly/disassembly apparatus from the information processing system, and, when disconnection is detected, for generating an erasing instruction to erase the secret information from the storage means; and

erasure means, operatively connected to the storage means, for erasing the secret information in accordance with the erasing instruction from the erasure instructing means.

10. A secret information protection system for protecting secret information stored in an information processing system from access by an unauthorized user, the information processing system having an IC card for processing data, the secret information protection system comprising:

storage means for storing the secret information;

erasure instructing means for detecting removal of the IC card from the information processing system based on a change in voltage/current thereof, and, when removal is detected, for generating an erasing instruction to erase the secret information from the storage means; and

erasure means, operatively connected to the storage means, for erasing the secret information in accordance with the erasing instruction from the erasure instructing means.