Storage device with accessible partitions

• US 8,266,378 B1
• Filed: 12/21/2006
• Issued: 09/11/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 12/22/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kingston Digital, Inc. (Kingston Technology Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Imation Corporation (Glassbridge Enterprises, Inc.)
• Inventors: Jevans, David Alexander, Spencer, Gil
• Primary Examiner(s): Ellis, Kevin
• Assistant Examiner(s): Loonan, Eric
• Application Number:
  US11/644,089
• Time in Patent Office: 2,091 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 711/115
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 12/1466 Key-lock mechanism
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/31 User authentication
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/79 in semiconductor storage media, e.g. directly-addressable memories

Abstract

A detachable storage device can comprise a memory, circuitry, and a user interface. The memory may comprise a storage partition. The circuitry may be configured to authorize access to the storage partition to a digital device when the detachable storage device is coupled to the digital device based, at least in part, on a user code. The user interface may be configured to receive the user code while the detachable storage device is within a detached state and provide the user code to the circuitry to allow access to the storage partition.

Claims

1. A detachable USB storage device comprising:

a flash memory comprising a first storage partition, the first storage partition including encrypted data that is decrypted after a first user code is received;

circuitry programmed to authorize access to the first storage partition when the first user code is received by the circuitry;

a user interface configured to receive the first user code while the detachable USB storage device is in a detached state and the user interface configured to provide the first user code to the circuitry;

the circuitry programmed to deny access to a second storage partition when the first user code is received, the circuitry programmed to allow access to the second storage partition and not to the first storage partition when a second user code is received, and the circuitry programmed to allow access to the first and the second partitions when a third user code is received; and

the circuitry programmed to reset the first, the second, and the third user codes when a reset code is received by the circuitry.

2. The detachable USB storage device of claim 1, further comprising a communications interface configured to send a signal to a digital device, the signal indicating that the first storage partition is authorized for access.

3. The detachable USB storage device of claim 1, wherein the circuitry is further configured to alert a user that access to the first storage partition is allowed based on the authorization.

4. The detachable USB storage device of claim 1, wherein the circuitry configured to authorize access to the first storage partition comprises the circuitry configured to decrypt a security code to access the first storage partition based on the first user code.

5. The detachable USB storage device of claim 1, wherein the circuitry configured to provide access to the first storage partition comprises the circuitry configured to decrypt at least some data within the first storage partition.

6. The detachable USB storage device of claim 1, wherein the circuitry configured to provide access to the first storage partition comprises the circuitry configured to send a signal to a digital device to recognize and mount the first storage partition.

7. The detachable USB storage device of claim 1, further comprising a power system to supply power to the circuitry.

8. The detachable USB storage device of claim 1, wherein the user interface is a radial dial.

9. A method to authorize access to storage partitions within a detachable USB storage device, the method comprising:

receiving a first user code with the detachable USB storage device to allow access to a first storage partition within the detachable USB storage device, the first user code received when the detachable USB storage device is in a detached state;

authorizing access to the first storage partition when the detachable USB storage device is coupled to a digital device, the access based, at least in part, on the first user code;

providing access to the first storage partition based on the first user code;

denying access to a second storage partition of the detachable USB storage device based on the first user code when the detachable USB storage device is coupled to the digital device,

allowing access to the first storage partition and the second storage partition of the detachable USB storage device based on the detachable USB storage device receiving a second user code,

resetting the first user code and the second user code when a reset code is received by the detachable USB storage device; and

erasing data in the first storage partition and in the second storage partition when the reset code is received by the detachable USB storage device.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising sending a signal to the digital device that the first storage partition and the second storage partition are authorized for access.

11. The method of claim 9, further comprising alerting a user that access to the first storage partition and to the second storage partition is allowed based on the second user code.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein authorizing access to the first storage partition and to the second storage partition comprises decrypting a security code based on the second user code.

13. The method of claim 9, wherein providing access to the first storage partition and to the second storage partition comprises decrypting at least some data within the first storage partition and the second storage partition.

14. The method of claim 9, wherein providing access to the first storage partition and to the second storage partition comprises sending a signal to the digital device to recognize and mount the first storage partition and the second storage partition.

15. The method of claim 9, wherein the first user code is received from a radial dial.

16. The method of claim 9, further comprising receiving power from a power system to supply power to the circuitry.

17. A method to authorize access to storage partitions within a detachable USB storage device, the method comprising:

receiving a first user code with the detachable USB storage device when the detachable USB storage device is in a detached state;

descrambling a database file system with the first user code when the detachable USB storage device is coupled to a digital device, the database file system associated with the first storage partition;

authorizing access to the first storage partition when the detachable USB storage device is coupled to the digital device based, at least in part, on the first user code;

providing access to the first storage partition based on the first user code;

denying access to a second storage partition of the detachable USB storage device based on the first user code when the detachable USB storage device is coupled to the digital device;

allowing access to the first storage partition and the second storage partition of the detachable USB storage device based on the detachable USB storage device receiving a second user code;

resetting the first user code and the second user code when a reset code is received by the detachable USB storage device; and

erasing data in the first storage partition and in the second storage partition when the reset code is received by the detachable USB storage device.