Storage device with wireless capability

• US 8,930,656 B2
• Filed: 03/11/2011
• Issued: 01/06/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 04/10/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Harris Technology LLC
• Original Assignee: Harris Technology LLC
• Inventors: Harris, Scott C.
• Primary Examiner(s): PEUGH, BRIAN R
• Application Number:
  US13/046,152
• Publication Number:
  US 20110252182A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,397 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 711/163
• 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: G11C 16/22 Safety or protection circuits preventing unauthorised or accidental access to memory cells

Abstract

Wireless USB device with security that allows the information to be automatically exchanged with the USB device wirelessly when it is in one location, and when in another location, only certain information can be so exchanged.

Claims

1. A memory device, comprising:

a housing;

a non-volatile memory that stores data, in said housing;

a wireless communication device, in said housing, in communication with said non-volatile memory and with a wireless network;

a controller for said non-volatile memory which controls data transfer of said non-volatile memory; and

a sensor, that senses a locational parameter of said housing;

wherein said controller is responsive to said locational parameter sensed by said sensor to allow full access to said non-volatile memory only when said housing has a specified locational parameter.

2. A memory device as in claim 1, wherein said locational parameter is a direction in which the device is oriented on a reader.

3. A memory device as in claim 1, wherein said locational parameter is a distance between said housing and a reader.

4. A memory device as in claim 1, wherein said controller allows access to only a portion of contents of said memory device when said housing does not have the specified locational parameter, but allows access to all of the contents of said memory device when said housing does have the specified locational parameter.

5. A memory device as in claim 4, further comprising an indicator that indicates whether the memory device has the specified locational parameter.

6. A memory device as in claim 1, wherein said controller allows access to no contents of said memory when does not have the specified locational parameter.

7. A memory device as in claim 1, wherein said device is initially in a state where access to only less than all contents of said memory device can be obtained, and requires a physical change to a packaging part before access to more t contents of said memory device can be obtained.

8. A memory device as in claim 1, further comprising a wireless power receiver that receives wireless power when said memory device has the specified locational parameter.

9. A memory device as in claim 1, further comprising a connector that connects to a receiver to control data transfer by wire using said connector.

10. A memory device as in claim 9, wherein said connector is retractable.

11. A memory device, comprising:

a housing;

a non-volatile memory that stores data, in said housing;

a wireless communication device, in said housing, in communication with said non-volatile memory and with a wireless network;

a controller for said non-volatile memory which controls data transfer of said non-volatile memory;

a wireless power receiver, that wirelessly receives power for operating said memory and said wireless communication device and couples said power to said memory and said wireless communication device, to receive power wirelessly; and

a sensor, that senses a locational parameter of said housing, and allows full access to said non-volatile memory only when said housing has a specified locational parameter.

12. A memory device as in claim 11, wherein said locational parameter is a direction in which the device is oriented on a reader.

13. A memory device as in claim 11, wherein said locational parameter is a distance between said housing and a reader.

14. A method, comprising:

using a controller for controlling communication with a non-volatile memory that stores data, in a housing,

using a wireless communication device that communicates data from said nonvolatile memory with a wireless network; and

sensing a locational parameter of said housing, and

using said controller for allowing full access to said non-volatile memory via said wireless communication device based on said locational parameter, to provide said full access only when said housing has a specified locational parameter.

15. A method as in claim 14, wherein said locational parameter is a direction in which the housing is oriented on a reader.

16. A method as in claim 14, wherein said locational parameter is a distance between said housing and a reader.