Storage device with accessible partitions

• US 8,543,764 B2
• Filed: 09/10/2012
• Issued: 09/24/2013
• 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): Bragdon, Reginald
• Assistant Examiner(s): LOONAN, ERIC T
• Application Number:
  US13/608,301
• Publication Number:
  US 20130061315A1
• Time in Patent Office: 379 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 storage device comprising:

memory comprising at least first and second storage partitions, the first storage partition including encrypted data that is decrypted after a first user code is received;

circuitry configured to authorize access to the first storage partition when the first user code is received; and

a user interface configured to receive the first user code while the storage device is in a detached state, the user interface further configured to provide the first user code to the circuitry;

wherein the circuitry is programmed to;

deny access to the second storage partition when the first user code is received;

allow access to the second storage partition and not to the first storage partition when a second user code is received;

allow access to the first and the second storage partitions when a third user code is received; and

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

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

3. The storage device of claim 1, further comprising an authorization indicator configured to indicate that access to the first storage partition is authorized when the first user code is received.

4. The storage device of claim 1, further comprising an encryptor configured to decrypt a security code to access the first storage partition based on the first user code.

5. The storage device of claim 4, wherein the encryptor is configured to decrypt the encrypted data within the first storage partition.

6. The storage device of claim 1, further comprising a controller configured to identify the detachable device to a host computer coupled thereto.

7. The storage device of claim 1, further comprising a power system operable to supply power to the circuitry while the storage device is in the detached state.

8. The storage device of claim 1, wherein the user interface is configured to receive the first user code as series of numbers, letters, symbols, or special characters.

9. The storage device of claim 1, further comprising a connector for coupling the storage device to a host through one or more of a USB connection, firewire connection, ethernet connection, serial connection, parallel connection, SCSI connection, host bus adapter, flash card interface, and an ATA connection.

10. The storage device of claim 1, wherein the memory comprises one or more of NAND flash memory, NOR flash memory, a hard drive, a storage card, an optical drive, a ram disk, and magnetic tape.

11. A method comprising:

receiving a first user code to allow access to a storage device having at least first and second storage partitions , wherein the storage device is in a detached state when receiving the first user code;

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

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

allowing access to the first and second storage partitions based on the storage device receiving a second user code;

resetting the first and second user codes based on receiving a reset code by the storage device; and

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

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising sending a signal to the digital device, the signal indicating that access is authorized to one or both of the first and second storage partitions is authorized.

13. The method of claim 11, further comprising alerting a user that access is authorized to one or both of the first and second storage partitions.

14. The method of claim 11, further comprising decrypting a security code based one or both of the first and second user codes.

15. The method of claim 11, further comprising decrypting data within one or both of the first and second storage partitions.

16. The method of claim 11, further comprising sending a signal to the digital device to recognize and mount one or both of the first and second storage partitions.

17. The method of claim 11, wherein receiving one or more of the first and second user codes comprises receiving a series of numbers, letters, symbols, or special characters.

18. The method of claim 11, further comprising supplying power to the storage device in the detached state.

19. The method of claim 11, further comprising coupling the storage device to the digital device through one or more of a USB connection, firewire connection, Ethernet connection, serial connection, parallel connection, host bus adapter connection, flash card interface connection, ATA connection, and a wireless connection between the storage device and the digital device.

20. A non-transitory computer readable medium having embodied thereon a program, the program executable by a processor for performing a method comprising:

receiving a first user code with a portable memory device in a detached state, the portable memory device having at least first and second storage partitions;

descrambling a database file system associated with the first and second storage partitions, utilizing the first user code;

authorizing access to the first partition and denying access to the second partition, based on the first user code;

receiving a second user code with the portable memory device in the detached state;

authorizing access to the second partition and denying access to the first partition, based on the second user code.

21. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 20, wherein the method further comprises:

receiving a third user code with the portable memory device in the detached state; and

authorizing access to the first and second partitions, based on the third user code.

22. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 21, wherein the method further comprises:

receiving a reset code from a user of the portable memory device; and

resetting the first, second, and third user codes, based on the reset code.

23. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 20, further comprising:

encrypting data received from a digital device coupled to the portable memory device; and

storing the encrypted data in one or both of the first and second partitions.

24. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 23, further comprising:

decrypting the encrypted data stored in one or both of the first and second partitions; and

sending a result of decrypting the encrypted data to the digital device.