System and method for ensuring security of data stored on data storage devices

• US 8,721,738 B1
• Filed: 01/25/2012
• Issued: 05/13/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 11/02/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Timothy T. Miller
• Original Assignee: Timothy T. Miller
• Inventors: Miller, Timothy T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Chai, Longbit
• Application Number:
  US13/358,253
• Time in Patent Office: 839 Days
• Field of Search: 726/35
• US Class Current: 726/35
• 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 21/88 Detecting or preventing theft or loss
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2143 Clearing memory, e.g. to prevent the data from being stolen
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0876 based on the identity of the terminal or configuration, e.g. MAC address, hardware or software configuration or device fingerprint

Abstract

Systems and methods for limiting access to data in a portable data storage device. An exemplary method may use an electronic computing device to prevent access to the data and includes the step of providing the portable storage device with a first software program that has a current expiration time value. The first software program is able to compare the current expiration time value against a time based parameter and activate a security mechanism protecting the data stored in the portable data storage device based on the comparison. The method also includes the step of providing an electronic computing device with a second software program. The second software program is able to identify the portable data storage device and reset the current expiration time value of the first software program to a later time value when the electronic computing device is electronically communicating with the portable data storage device.

Claims

1. A method for using an electronic computing device to prevent access to data stored in a preselected memory portion of a portable data storage device, comprising the steps of:

providing the portable storage device with a first software program that comprises a current expiration time value wherein the first software program is configured to compare the current expiration time value against a time based parameter and activate a security mechanism to protect the data stored in the portable data storage device based on the comparison;

providing an electronic computing device with a second software program, the second software program being configured to receive data sent from the portable storage device and to;

identify the portable data storage device via the received data sent from the portable storage device; and

reset the current expiration time value of the first software program to a later time value according to, at least, a day of week schedule when the portable data storage device is in electronic communication with the electronic computing device prior to said comparison and the passage of the current expiration time.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the second software program is further adapted to:

access an expiration time reset schedule for the portable data storage device and reset the current expiration time of the portable data storage device in accordance with the schedule.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the first software program is further adapted to identify the electronic computing device and permit access to the stored data by the electronic computing device based on the identification.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the first software program receives the time based parameter for making the comparison from the portable data storage device.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the first software program obtains the time based parameter from the electronic computing device that has been supplied with the second software program or from another electronic computing device in electronic communication with the portable data storage device.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the first software program activates the security mechanism when the comparison indicates that the current expiration time has passed.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the second software program further comprises a second current expiration time value that pertains to activating a security mechanism that protects data stored in the electronic computing device and wherein the second software program is further adapted to:

compare the second current expiration time value against a time based parameter; and

activate the security mechanism based on the comparison.

8. The method of claim 7 further comprising the steps of:

providing an administrative host electronic computing device that is remote from the electronic computing device and the portable data storage device with a third software program wherein the third software program is adapted to;

identify the electronic computing device; and

reset the second current expiration time value to a later time value.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein the second software program is further adapted to keep a record of data that has been stored on the portable storage device and the third software program is further adapted to receive the record from the electronic computing device when the electronic computing device is used to log into the host device.

10. The method of claim 8 wherein the host electronic computing device is a website.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein the second software program is further adapted to keep a record of data that has been stored in the portable storage device.

12. The method of claim 1 wherein the security mechanism is activated when the current expiration time value is not reset prior to passage of the current expiration time thereby causing data stored in the portable storage device to be inaccessible.

13. A method for using an electronic computing device to prevent access to data stored in a preselected memory portion of a portable data storage device, comprising the steps of:

providing the portable storage device with a first software program that comprises a first current expiration time value wherein the first software program is configured to compare the first current expiration time value against a first time based parameter and activate a first security mechanism to protect the data stored in the portable data storage device based on the comparison;

providing an electronic computing device with a second software program that comprises a second current expiration time value wherein the second software program is configured to;

identify the portable data storage device via received data sent from the portable storage device;

reset the first current expiration time to a later time value when the portable data storage device is in electronic communication with the electronic computing device prior to said comparison and passage of the first current expiration time;

compare the second current expiration time value against a second time based parameter; and

activate a second security mechanism based on the comparison of the second current expiration time value and the second time based parameter; and

providing an administrative host electronic computing device that is remote from the electronic computing device and the portable data storage device with a third software program wherein the third software program is configured to;

identify the electronic computing device; and

reset the second current expiration time value to a later time value.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein the first time based parameter is the same as the second time based parameter when the electronic computing device is in electronic communication with the portable storage device.

15. The method of claim 13 wherein the method further comprises keeping a record of data that has been stored on the portable data storage device via the second software program.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein the third software program is further adapted to receive the record when the electronic computing device is in electronic communication with the host electronic computing device.

17. The method of claim 15 wherein the second software program keeps record of data that has been stored on the portable data storage device by the electronic computing device.