Portable data storage device

• US 7,039,759 B2
• Filed: 12/19/2003
• Issued: 05/02/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/21/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Trek Technology Singapore PTE Limited
• Original Assignee: Trek Technology Singapore PTE Limited
• Inventors: Poo, Teng Pin, Cheng, Chong Seng
• Primary Examiner(s): Portka, Gary
• Assistant Examiner(s): Song, Jasmine
• Application Number:
  US10/742,644
• Publication Number:
  US 20040139255A1
• Time in Patent Office: 865 Days
• Field of Search: 711/103, 711/154, 711/163, 710/72, 710/105
• US Class Current: 711/115
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/12 Protecting executable software
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/31 User authentication
• 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 21/79 in semiconductor storage media, e.g. directly-addressable memories
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/85 interconnection devices, e.g. bus-connected or in-line devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2141 Access rights, e.g. capability lists, access control lists, access tables, access matrices
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0601 Interfaces specially adapted for storage systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0605 by facilitating the interaction with a user or administrator
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0634 by changing the state or mode of one or more devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0664 at device level, e.g. emulation of a storage device or system
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0679 Non-volatile semiconductor memory device, e.g. flash memory, one time programmable memory [OTP]
• CPC Class Codes: G11C 16/102 External programming circuits, e.g. EPROM programmers; In-circuit programming or reprogramming; EPROM emulators
• CPC Class Codes: G11C 16/22 Safety or protection circuits preventing unauthorised or accidental access to memory cells

Abstract

A portable data storage device (10) includes a universal serial bus (USB) coupling device (1) and an interface device (2) is coupled to the USB coupling device (1). The portable data storage device (10) also includes a memory control device (3) and a non-volatile solid-state memory device (4). The memory control device (3) is coupled between the interface device (2) and the memory device (4) to control the flow of data from the memory device (4) to the USB coupling device (1).

Claims

1. A unitary portable data storage device comprising:

a universal serial bus (USB) plug integrated into the unitary portable data storage device without an intervening cable capable of coupling the unitary portable data storage device directly to a USB socket of a computer;

a single interface coupled to the USB plug, the interface allowing the unitary portable data storage device to communicate via the USB protocol;

a non-volatile solid-state memory, the memory having sufficient capacity to enable the unitary portable data storage device to serve as an alternative to a magnetic disk or CD; and

a memory control device coupled between the interface and the memory to control the flow of data between the memory and the USB plug in a manner to enable the unitary portable data storage device to serve as an alternative to a magnetic disk or CD and to implement access restriction wherein access to at least a portion of the data in the memory is restricted absent password authentication.

2. The unitary portable data storage device of claim 1 wherein successful authentication under a defined security measure is required to gain access to the at least a portion of the data in the memory.

3. The unitary portable data storage device as recited in claim 1 wherein the memory control device comprises a micro-controller.

4. The unitary portable data storage device as recited in claim 1 wherein the memory control device is capable of establishing passwords to facilitate implementation of said access restriction.

5. The unitary portable data storage device as recited in claim 1 wherein the memory control device is capable of retrieving and comparing passwords to verify access authority.

6. The unitary portable data storage device as recited in claim 1 wherein the memory control device is capable of encrypting and decrypting passwords.

7. The unitary portable data storage device as recited in claim 1 wherein the memory comprises a read/write memory.

8. The unitary portable data storage device as recited in claim 1 wherein the memory comprises flash memory.

9. The unitary portable data storage device as recited in claim 1 wherein the unitary portable data storage device is sufficiently compact to be held within a human hand for maximal portability.

10. An integrated portable data storage device comprising:

a universal serial bus (USB) plug integral to the integrated portable data storage device, the integrated portable data storage device capable of being directly connected to a USB socket of a computer via the USB plug such that there is an immediate connection between the integrated portable data storage device and the computer without cable interconnection;

a single interface coupled to the USB plug, the interface allowing the integrated portable data storage device to communicate via the USB protocol;

a non-volatile solid-state memory, the memory having sufficient capacity to enable the integrated portable data storage device to serve as an alternative to a magnetic disk or CD; and

a memory control device coupled to the memory to control the flow of data between the memory and the USB plug in a manner to enable the integrated portable data storage device to serve as an alternative to a magnetic disk or CD and to implement access restriction wherein access to at least a portion of the data in the memory is restricted absent password authentication;

and wherein the USB plug, the memory and the memory control device are part of an integrated housing with a portion of the USB plug protruding from a side wall of the integrated housing to facilitate direct coupling to the USB socket.

11. The integrated portable data storage device of claim 10 wherein successful authentication under a defined security measure is required to gain access to the at least a portion of the data in the memory.

12. The integrated portable data storage device as recited in claim 10 wherein the memory control device comprises a micro-controller.

13. The integrated portable data storage device as recited in claim 10 wherein the memory control device is capable of establishing passwords to facilitate implementation of access restriction.

14. The integrated portable data storage device as recited in claim 10 wherein the memory control device is capable of retrieving and comparing passwords to verify access authority.

15. The integrated portable data storage device as recited in claim 10 wherein the memory control device is capable of encrypting and decrypting passwords.

16. The integrated portable data storage device as recited in claim 10 wherein the memory comprises a read/write memory.

17. The integrated portable data storage device as recited in claim 10 wherein the memory comprises flash memory.

18. The integrated portable data storage device as recited in claim 10 wherein the integrated portable data storage device is sufficiently compact to be held within a human hand for maximal portability.