Hard disk password lock

• US 6,199,163 B1
• Filed: 03/26/1996
• Issued: 03/06/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 03/26/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: RPX Corporation
• Original Assignee: NEC Corporation
• Inventors: Dumas, Patrick A., Pulver, Mark
• Primary Examiner(s): CANGIALOSI, SALVATORE A
• Application Number:
  US08/621,672
• Time in Patent Office: 1,806 Days
• Field of Search: 380/44, 380/94, 713/183, 713/184
• US Class Current: 713/183
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/80 in storage media based on magnetic or optical technology, e.g. disks with sectors preventing unauthorised reproduction or copying of disc-type recordable media G11B20/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/85 interconnection devices, e.g. bus-connected or in-line devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2211/007 Encryption, En-/decode, En-/decipher, En-/decypher, Scramble, (De-)compress

Abstract

The invention provides an encryption circuit for encrypting and decrypting data as it travels to and from a hard disk. The encryption circuit can be turned on or off under control of the BIOS program and a user supplied password. With the present invention, a removed hard disk cannot be read without the user supplied password and a similar encryption circuit.

Claims

1. A computer system comprising:

a CPU;

a mass storage device;

a bus for coupling the CPU and the mass storage device;

a encryption circuit intercepting data traveling between said CPU and said mass storage device, for encrypting and decrypting data as it travels to and from said mass storage device and said CPU.

2. The computer system according to claim 1 further comprising means for storing a password.

3. The computer system according to claim 2 wherein said encryption circuit includes means for encrypting and decrypting data according to said password.

4. The computer system according to claim 1 further comprising means for removing said mass storage device.

5. The computer system according to claim 1 further comprising means for removing said mass storage device and said means for storing a password as a single unit.

6. A mass storage device for installation in a computer comprising:

mass storage media for storing data;

means for storing a password;

mounting means for mounting said mass storage device in a computer; and

an encryption circuit for encrypting data using said password as a key.

7. A method for encrypting and decrypting data comprising:

providing a computer system including a CPU and a mass storage device connected by a bus;

requesting a password from a user;

encrypting data, using said password as a key, as it travels from said CPU to said mass storage device; and

decrypting data using said password as a key, as it travels from said mass storage device to said CPU.

8. The method according to claim 7 further comprising storing said password and only requesting said password on a first use and retrieving said password from storage on subsequent uses.