Computer system with removable data storage device and method

• US 7,010,647 B1
• Filed: 12/13/2002
• Issued: 03/07/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/13/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Army
• Original Assignee: The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Army
• Inventors: Barrick, Alan E., Karamchetty, Somayajulu D., Gantt, James
• Primary Examiner(s): NGUYEN, THAN VINH
• Application Number:
  US10/318,666
• Time in Patent Office: 1,180 Days
• Field of Search: 711102-104, 711/115, 711/163, 711/164, 713182-186
• US Class Current: 711/115
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2121 Chip on media, e.g. a disk or tape with a chip embedded in its case

Abstract

A computer system and method for securely storing data are provided. A Radio Frequency Identification Device (RFID) tag is applied to a removable data storage device that is able to be inserted and removed from the computer system. An identification code is assigned to respective removable data storage devices in which the identification code and other information associated with the removable data storage devices are stored at the computer system upon insertion and retrieval of the removable data storage devices to and from the computer system.

Claims

1. A method of securely storing data in a computer system comprising the steps of:

providing a removable data storage device to be at least one of;

(a) floppy disk, (b) compact disk, (c) digital versatile disk (DVD), (d) tape drive, (c) smart card, (f) personal computer memory card international association (PCMCIA) card, and (g) zip disk, that is able to be inserted and removed from the computer system; and

applying a Radio Frequency Identification Device (RFID) tag to the removable data storage device;

placing the RFID tag with a corresponding label on the removable data storage device;

assigning an identification code to the removable data storage device, and

storing the identification code with the RFID tag attached to the removable data storage device,

reading the identification code when the removable data storage device is inserted into the computer system,

storing the identification code at a processor of the computer system, and

storing directory data from the removable data storage device at the processing device of the computer system; and

retrieving the removable data storage device from a plurality of removable data storage devices of the computer system in response to an authorized user request identifying the identification code for the removable data storage device.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising transferring the removable data storage device from a storage location to an output location of the computer system, and

reading the identification code with an identification tag reader and reading directory data from the data storage device with a media reader during transfer of the removable data storage device.

3. The method of claim 2 further comprising obtaining user information through the use of a biometric identification device at the computer system to determine if the user is authorized to access the computer system.

4. The method of claim 2 further comprising reading data stored at the removable data storage device, identifying the removable data storage device, and gathering directory information pertaining to the removable data storage device for storage at the processing device in response to the removable data storage device being returned to the computer system.

5. The method of claim 2 further comprising maintaining, at the processing device, a log of information associated with the removable data storage device including a date and time the removable data storage device was inserted and retrieved from the computer system, identification of persons inserting and retrieving the removable data storage device from the computer system, and disposition of files stored at the removable data storage device at insertion and retrieval of the data storage device from the computer system.

6. The method of claim 2 further comprising maintaining a log of information at the processing device including information relating to removable data storage devices removed from the computer system, removable data storage devices in use at the computer system, and removable data storage devices stored at the computer system.

7. The method of claim 2 further comprising permitting the RFID tag to have read/write capabilities,

providing the RFID tag with a silicon integrated circuit connected to carbon ink electrodes printed on a label such that electric fields are capacitively coupled to and from the RFID tag and the identification tag reader.

8. A computer system for securely storing data comprising:

a removable data storage device which is at least one of;

(a) floppy disk, (b) compact disk, (c) digital versatile disk (DVD), (d) tape drive, (e) smart card, (f) personal computer memory card international association (PCMCIA) card, and (g) zip disk, that is able to be inserted into and removed from the computer system;

a Radio Frequency Identification Device (RFID) tag applied to the removable data storage device, wherein a silicon integrated circuit of the RFID tag is connected to carbon ink electrodes of the tag such that a storage unit is provided at the RFID tag which has read/write capabilities;

a label associated with the RFID tag, where the label and the RFID tag are together placed on the removable data storage device;

an assigned identification code associated with the removable data storage device stored at the storage unit of the RFID tag, where a processing device of the computer system stores the identification code associated with the removable data storage device;

an identification tag reader that reads the identification code when the removable data storage device is inserted into and removed from the computer system,

a media reader that reads directory data from the removable data storage device when the removable data storage device is inserted into and removed from the computer system, said identification tag reader and media reader being coupled to the processing device to transfer the identification code and directory data to the processing device upon being read; and

a plurality of removable data storage devices at the computer system in which the removable data storage device is able to be retrieved in response to an authorized user request identifying the identification code for the removable data storage device.

9. The computer system of claim 8 further comprising a first storage device holder which holds at least one removable data storage device that is received or removed from the computer system,

a second storage device holder which stores at lease one removable data storage device at the computer system, and

a transportation device which transfers removable data storage devices between the first storage device holder and the second storage device holder such that the identification tag reader reads the identification code and the media reader reads the directory data during transfer at the removable data storage device between the first storage device holder and the second storage device holder.

10. The computer system of claim 9 further comprising a biometric identification device coupled with the processing unit to determine if the user is authorized to access the computer system.

11. The computer system of claim 9 further comprising a log of information stored at the processing device including information relating to a date and time the removable data storage device was inserted and retrieved from the computer system, identification of persons inserting and retrieving the removable data storage device from the computer system and disposition of files stored at the removable data storage device at insertion and retrieval of the data storage device from the computer system.

12. The computer system of claim 9 further comprising a log of information stored at the processing device including information relating to identification of removable data storage devices removed from the computer system, removable data storage devices in use at the computer system, and removable data storage devices stored at the computer system.

13. A computer system for securely storing data comprising:

a removable data storage device which is capable of being inserted into and removed from the computer system;

a Radio Frequency Identification Device (RFID) tag applied to the removable data storage device, wherein a storage unit is provided at the RFID tag which has read/write capabilities;

an assigned identification code associated with the removable data storage device and stored at the storage unit of the RFID tag, where a processing device of the computer system stores the identification code associated with the removable data storage device;

an identification tag reader that reads the identification code when the removable data storage device is inserted into and removed form the computer system; and

a media reader that reads directory data from the removable data storage device when the removable data storage device is inserted into and removed from the computer system, wherein the identification tag reader and the media reader being coupled to the processing device to transfer the identification code and directory data to the processing device upon being read, and wherein a plurality of removable data storage devices at the computer system are able to be retrieved in response to an authorized user request identifying the identification code for the removable data storage device.

14. The computer system of claim 13, wherein the removable data storage device is at least one of:

(a) floppy disk, (b) compact disk, (c) digital versatile disk (DVD), (d) tape drive, (e) smart card, (f) personal computer memory card international association (PCMCIA) card, and (g) zip disk.