Write-protection module and method for storage device

• US 7,948,360 B2
• Filed: 10/04/2007
• Issued: 05/24/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 08/13/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Transcend Information Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Transcend Information Incorporated
• Inventors: Hsieh, Chun-Yu
• Primary Examiner(s): Wu; Daniel
• Assistant Examiner(s): Barakat; Mohamed
• Application Number:
  US11/867,001
• Publication Number:
  US 20090045914A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,328 Days
• Field of Search: 340 551- 557, 340/5.74, 340/5.83, 726 16- 17, 382115-124, 713/186, 713/168, 711152-164
• US Class Current: 340/5.74
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 12/1408 by using cryptography for digital transmission H04L9/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 12/1433 for a module or a part of a module
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 12/1458 by checking the subject access rights
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/32 using biometric data, e.g. fingerprints, iris scans or voiceprints
• 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

Abstract

A write-protection module for a storage device and the method thereof are disclosed. The write-protection module includes a power supply circuit, a fingerprint sensor, a database, and a microprocessor. The microprocessor for receiving the working power produced by the power supply circuit to maintain operation is respectively coupled to the power supply circuit, the fingerprint sensor, and the database. The fingerprint sensor receives the fingerprint input of a user, and the microprocessor receives the output signal of the fingerprint sensor and converts the output signal into an input cryptograph. Finally, the microprocessor compares the input cryptograph with a predetermined cryptograph stored in the database to produce a comparison information, and determines whether or not the user may access data.

Claims

1. A storage device having a user identification function, comprising:

a power supply module, for providing a working power, and the power supply module comprising;

a first power unit, for providing a power;

a second power unit; and

a power controller, coupled to the first power unit and the second power unit, for charging the second power unit according to the power and outputting the working power;

a user identification module, coupled to the power controller of the power supply module, for receiving the working power and a user'"'"'s identity information, and the user identification module generating a comparison information according to the user'"'"'s identity information; and

a control unit, coupled to the user identification module, for determining whether or not the user may access the storage device according to the comparison information;

wherein when the storage device is in a standby mode, the first power unit supplies the working power to the user identification module through the power controller, and charges the second power unit;

when the user identification module is activated, the second power unit supplies the working power required by an operation of encryption or decryption.

2. The storage device having a user identification function as claimed in claim 1 further comprising:

a storage unit, coupled to the control unit; and

an interface unit, coupled to the control unit,

wherein the control unit determines whether or not to output data stored in the storage unit via the interface unit, or store the data input from the interface unit into the storage unit according to the comparison information.

3. The storage device having a user identification function as claimed in claim 2, wherein the storage unit comprises a flash drive.

4. The storage device having a user identification function as claimed in claim 2, wherein the interface unit comprises a USB interface, a memory card interface, an IEEE1394 interface or an eSATA interface.

5. The storage device having a user identification function as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first power unit is a continuous power supply, which may convert a natural energy into the working power.

6. The storage device having a user identification function as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second power unit is a chargeable power device.

7. The storage device having a user identification function as claimed in claim 1, wherein the user identification module comprises:

a user'"'"'s identity information receiving unit, for receiving the input user'"'"'s identity information;

a database, for storing a predetermined cryptograph; and

a microprocessor, coupled to the user'"'"'s identity information receiving unit and the database, for converting the input user'"'"'s identity information into an input cryptograph, and comparing the predetermined cryptograph stored in the database with the input cryptograph to generate the comparison information.

8. The storage device having a user identification function as claimed in claim 7, wherein the user'"'"'s identity information receiving unit is a user identification module.

9. The storage device having a user identification function as claimed in claim 1, wherein the user'"'"'s identity information comprises a fingerprint input.

10. A write-protection module for a storage device, comprising:

a power supply circuit, for providing a working power, and the power supply circuit comprising;

a first power unit;

a second power unit; and

a power controller, coupled to the first power unit and the second power unit, for charging the second power unit according to a power output from the first power unit, and generating the working power;

a user identification module, for receiving a user'"'"'s identity information based on the working power;

a database, for storing a predetermined cryptograph; and

a microprocessor for receiving the working power, coupled to the user identification module and the database for converting the user'"'"'s identity information into an input cryptograph, and comparing the predetermined cryptograph stored in the database with the input cryptograph to generate a comparison information, so as to determines whether or not the user may access data stored in the storage device according to the comparison information;

wherein when the storage device is in a standby mode, the first power unit supplies the working power to the user identification module through the power controller, and charges the second power unit;

when the user identification module is activated, the second power unit supplies the working power required by an operation of encryption or decryption.

11. The write-protection module for a storage device as claimed in claim 10, wherein the first power unit is a continuous power supply, which may convert a natural energy into the working power.

12. The write-protection module for a storage device as claimed in claim 10, wherein the second power unit is a chargeable power supply.

13. A write-protection method for a storage device, the method comprising:

utilizing a first power unit to convert a natural energy, for providing a working power on the storage device and charging a second power unit;

detecting whether or not a user'"'"'s identity information is input based on the working power; and

switching from the first power unit to the second power unit for providing the working power and identifying the user'"'"'s identity information when the user'"'"'s identity information is input, so as to determine whether or not the storage device may be operated normally.

14. The write-protection method for a storage device as claimed in claim 13, wherein the step of identifying the user'"'"'s identity information comprises:

converting the input user'"'"'s identity information into an input cryptograph;

comparing the input cryptograph with a predetermined cryptograph;

controlling the storage device to operate normally when the input cryptograph matches the predetermined cryptograph; and

setting the storage device in a write-protection state when the input cryptograph does not match the predetermined cryptograph.

15. The write-protection method for a storage device as claimed in claim 13, wherein the user'"'"'s identity information comprises a fingerprint input, an iris image, a voice information and an image of a face shape of a user.

16. The write-protection method for a storage device as claimed in claim 13, wherein the natural energy comprises an environmental light source.

17. The write-protection method for a storage device as claimed in claim 13, wherein the storage device comprises an external storage apparatus.

18. The write-protection method for a storage device as claimed in claim 17, wherein the storage device comprises a flash drive and a memory card.