Removable memory device for portable terminal device

• US 6,282,612 B1
• Filed: 03/03/1998
• Issued: 08/28/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 03/04/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Lenovo Innovations Ltd Hong Kong (Lenovo Group Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: NEC Corporation
• Inventors: Hayashi, Keiichi, Sakajiri, Noriyasu
• Primary Examiner(s): Yoo, Do Hyun
• Assistant Examiner(s): NAMAZI, MEHDI
• Application Number:
  US09/033,613
• Publication Number:
  US 20010016895A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,274 Days
• Field of Search: 711/163, 711/164, 711/115, 383/3, 360/60, 713/200, 713/202, 902/26, 902/28, 235/441, 235/380, 235/492, 365/52, 365/195
• US Class Current: 711/115
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/79 in semiconductor storage media, e.g. directly-addressable memories
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/2745 using static electronic memories, e.g. chips
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/275 implemented by means of portable electronic directories
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72409 by interfacing with external accessories hands-free H04M1/60
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/725 Cordless telephones user interfaces specially adapted therefor H04M1/724
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/14 including a card reading device

Abstract

A removable memory device includes a memory for storing individual information therein, and a memory manager for protecting the memory when the removable memory device is not connected to a portable terminal device and for allowing access thereto when the removable memory device is connected to the portable terminal. A controller physically part of the removable memory device, is used for detecting an interconnection with the portable terminal device and for controlling the memory manager. The removable memory device protects the individual information stored within it from being illegally used.

Claims

1. A removable memory device comprising:

an input port which is connectable to a portable terminal device, for

receiving a first command and a first password through the portable terminal device when the removable memory device is connected to the portable terminal device;

a storage for storing information for operating the portable terminal device and a second password; and

a control unit responsive to the first command and the first password input from said input port, for protecting information stored in said storage according to the first command to prevent unauthorized access when the first password is not coincident with the second password stored in said storage, said input port, storage and control unit physically part of said removable memory device so as to be removable from said portable terminal device with said removable memory device,

wherein said control unit erases the information stored in said storage, when the removable memory device is removed from the portable terminal device without coincidence of the first password and the second password.

2. A removable memory device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said input port receives a second command and a third password through the portable terminal device when the removable memory device is connected to the portable terminal device, and said control unit releases the information stored in said storage according to the second command when the third password is coincident with a fourth password stored in said storage, and informs an operator that the information is released.

3. A removable memory device as set forth in claim 2, wherein said controller prohibits operation of the portable terminal device using the information stored in said storage when the removable memory device is connected to the portable terminal device without coincidence of the third password and the fourth password.

4. A memory device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the removable memory device is initialized when the information stored in the storage on the removable memory device is erased.

5. A removable memory device as recited in claim 1, wherein said control unit is operative to inform an operator of the portable terminal device that the memory device information is protected when said coincidence occurs between said first and second passwords.

6. A removable memory device as recited in claim 1, wherein said control unit is operative to inform an operator of the portable terminal device that the memory device information is protected and that said memory device is removable from said portable terminal device when said coincidence occurs between said first and second passwords.

7. A removable memory device as recited in claim 2, wherein said control unit informs an operator of said portable terminal device that the information has been released.

8. A system comprising:

a first terminal device having a first data input/output port and operated based on individual information, wherein a first command and a first password are output from the first data input/output port; and

a removable memory device connected to said first terminal device, for storing the individual information, wherein said removable memory device comprises;

an input port connected to the first data input/output port, for receiving the first command and the first password through the first data input/output port, and

a control unit responsive to the first command and the first password from said input port, for protecting the individual information stored in the removable device according to the first command to prevent unauthorized access when the first password is not coincident with a second password stored in said removable memory device,

said input port and control unit physically part of said removable memory device so as to be removable from said first terminal device with said removable memory device.

9. A system as set forth in claim 8, further comprising a second terminal device having a second data input/output port and operating based on the individual information stored in said removable memory device which has been removed from said first terminal device and has been connected to said second terminal device.

10. A system as set forth in claim 9, wherein the second data input/output port of said second terminal device supplies a second command and a third password to said memory device when said removable memory device is connected to said second terminal device after removal of said removable memory device from said first terminal device, and the control unit of said removable memory device releases the individual information stored in the removable memory device according to the second command when the third password is coincident with a fourth password stored in said memory device.

11. A system as set forth in claim 8, wherein the removable memory device is initialized when the individual information stored in the removable memory device is erased.

12. A system as recited in claim 8, wherein said control unit is operative to inform an operator of the first terminal device that the removable memory device with individual information is protected when said coincidence occurs between said first and second passwords.

13. A system as recited in claim 8, wherein said control unit is operative to inform an operator of the first terminal device that the removable memory device with individual information is protected and that said removable memory device is removable from said first terminal device when said coincidence occurs between said first and second passwords.

14. A system as recite in claim 10, wherein said control unit informs an operator of said second terminal device that the individual information stored in said removable memory device has been released.