Data retrieval systems

• US 8,032,798 B2
• Filed: 10/07/2008
• Issued: 10/04/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 09/09/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Invention Science Fund I, L.L.C. (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Original Assignee: The Invention Science Fund I, L.L.C. (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Inventors: Ferren, Bran, Jung, Edward K. Y.
• Primary Examiner(s): Beausoliel, Jr., Robert
• Assistant Examiner(s): Lottich, Joshua P
• Application Number:
  US12/287,341
• Publication Number:
  US 20090122670A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,092 Days
• Field of Search: 714/5, 714/6, 714/8, 714/15, 714/42, 714/54, 714/6.11, 714/6.13
• US Class Current: 714/54
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/79 in semiconductor storage media, e.g. directly-addressable memories
• 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 2221/2143 Clearing memory, e.g. to prevent the data from being stolen
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 19/122 involving the detection of an identification or authentication mark record carriers indicating unauthorised or prior use G11B23/28
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 19/26 Speed-changing arrangements; Reversing arrangements; Drive-transfer means therefor
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 20/00086 Circuits for prevention of unauthorised reproduction or copying, e.g. piracy indicating unauthorised use of record carriers in general G11B23/28; scrambling for television signal recording H04N5/913; network architectures or network protocols for network security H04L63/00; cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for secret or secure communication H04L9/00
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 20/00195 using a device identifier associated with the player or recorder, e.g. serial numbers of playback apparatuses or MAC addresses
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 20/00253 wherein the key is stored on the record carrier
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 20/00608 wherein the material that the record carrier is made of is altered, e.g. adding reactive dyes that alter the optical properties of a disc after prolonged exposure to light or air
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 20/00782 wherein the usage restriction limits the number of times a program can be installed
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 20/00797 wherein the usage restriction limits the number of times a content can be reproduced, e.g. using playback counters
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 20/0084 wherein the usage restriction can be expressed as a specific time or date
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 20/00876 wherein physical copy protection means are attached to the medium, e.g. holograms, sensors, or additional semiconductor circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 20/00927 wherein said defects or errors are generated on purpose, e.g. intended scratches

Abstract

Embodiments of methods and systems for controlling access to information stored on memory or data storage devices are disclosed. In various embodiments, methods of retrieving information from a data storage device previously deactivated by modification or degradation of at least a portion of the data storage device are disclosed.

Claims

1. A computer program product comprising:

a recordable type signal bearing medium bearing one or more instructions related to reading data from a data storage device, the one or more instructions including;

instructions for performing an interrogation activity with a data read device;

instructions for detecting a read response from the data storage device in response to the interrogation activity with the data read device;

instructions for comparing a detected read response with an expected data range, and if the read response is within the expected data range, reading data according to a first data read protocol or if the read response is outside the expected data range, reading data according to a second data read protocol performable by special-purpose software, wherein the special-purpose software controls the scan rate of a data read device performing the second data read protocol at a reduced scan rate relative to the scan rate of a data read device performing the first data read protocol.

2. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the recordable type signal bearing medium includes a floppy disk.

3. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the recordable type signal bearing medium includes a hard disk.

4. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the recordable type signal bearing medium includes a CD ROM.

5. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the recordable type signal bearing medium includes a digital tape.

6. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the recordable type signal bearing medium includes a computer memory.

7. A computer program product comprising:

a recordable type signal bearing medium bearing one or more instructions related to reading data from a data storage device, the one or more instructions including;

instructions for performing an interrogation activity with a data read device;

instructions for detecting a read response from the data storage device in response to the interrogation activity with the data read device;

instructions for comparing a detected read response with an expected data range, and if the read response is within the expected data range, reading data according to a first data read protocol or if the read response is outside the expected data range, reading data according to a second data read protocol performable by special-purpose software, wherein the special-purpose software reads data from a different location of the data storage device under the second data read protocol than under the first data read protocol.

8. A computer program product comprising:

a recordable type signal bearing medium bearing one or more instructions related to reading data from a data storage device, the one or more instructions including;

instructions for performing an interrogation activity with a data read device;

instructions for detecting a read response from the data storage device in response to the interrogation activity with the data read device;

instructions for comparing a detected read response with an expected data range, and if the read response is within the expected data range, reading data according to a first data read protocol or if the read response is outside the expected data range, reading data according to a second data read protocol performable by special-purpose software, wherein the second data read protocol is performable by special-purpose software that controls at least one of the scan rate or read location of a data read device performing the second data read protocol to provide at least one of a reduced scan rate or different read location with the second data read protocol relative to the first data read protocol.