System including a portable storage device equipped with a user proximity detector and method of preventing the loss thereof

• US 9,177,453 B2
• Filed: 08/20/2006
• Issued: 11/03/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 08/18/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: LPDP TECHNOLOGIES LTD
• Original Assignee: LPDP TECHNOLOGIES LTD
• Inventors: Gill, Abraham, Hadad, Avi
• Primary Examiner(s): Li, Aimee
• Assistant Examiner(s): SIMONETTI, NICHOLAS J
• Application Number:
  US11/990,629
• Publication Number:
  US 20090182931A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,362 Days
• Field of Search: 711/103, 711/115, 711/154, 711/156, 711163-164, 726/1, 726/2, 726/16, 726 20- 21, 726 34- 35, 726/9, 710/200, 709208-211, 340/572.1, 455/41.1, 455/41.2, 713/182, 713184-185
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/35 communicating wirelessly
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/62 Protecting access to data via a platform, e.g. using keys or access control rules
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/79 in semiconductor storage media, e.g. directly-addressable memories
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/88 Detecting or preventing theft or loss
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2212/2146 being detachable, e.g.. USB memory
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2153 Using hardware token as a secondary aspect
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1427 with transmitter-receiver for distance detection
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0213 System disabling if a separation threshold is exceeded disabling electrical appliances in case of unplugging G08B13/1409
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/023 using mutual or relative location information between multiple location based services [LBS] targets or of distance thresholds

Abstract

A portable storage system. The portable storage system comprises a portable storage device having a flash memory element and a loss-prevention unit. The portable storage system further comprises Master and Slave proximity elements. One of the proximity elements is physically connected with the portable storage device, while the other is physically connected with the loss-prevention unit. The Master proximity element is configured to wirelessly determine the presence of the Slave proximity element within a predefined range.

Claims

1. A portable storage system, comprising:

a portable storage device comprising a flash memory element and a processing unit, said processing unit being associated with said flash memory element and powered by a battery and configured for running a data protection application integrated into said portable storage device to protect data stored in said flash memory element, said data protection application comprising password protection of said data stored in said flash memory element;

a loss-prevention unit configured to be detachably coupled to said portable storage device; and

Master and Slave proximity elements comprising one member of the group consisting of radio-frequency identification (RFID) elements, infrared elements and Bluetooth™

elements, said Master proximity element in communication with said processing unit and physically connected with said portable storage device, said Slave proximity element being physically connected with said detachably coupleable loss-prevention unit, said Master proximity element being configured to wirelessly poll a current location of said Slave proximity element, wherein said wireless polling starts when said loss-prevention unit is physically detached from said portable storage device and stops when said loss-prevention unit is physically coupled to said portable storage device;

wherein said Master proximity element is configured to trigger said processing unit to password protect said data stored in said flash memory element when said current location is not within a predefined proximity area,

wherein said portable storage device is connected to a data-transferring interface of a hosting computing unit to allow said Master proximity element to communicate with said hosting computing unit for triggering a designated protection application on said hosting computing unit via said data-transferring interface when said current location is not within said predefined area,

wherein said designated protection application protects data on both said portable storage device and said hosting computing unit when said current location is determined to be outside said predefined proximity area.

2. The portable storage system of claim 1, further comprising a first user indication element electrically connected with said Master proximity element, said first user indication element being configured to activate an alarm when triggered.

3. The portable storage system of claim 2, wherein said Master proximity element is configured to trigger said first user indication element when said Slave proximity element is not within said predefined area.

4. The portable storage system of claim 2, wherein said alarm comprises at least one member of the following group:

an audible alarm, a visual alarm, and a tactile alarm.

5. The portable storage system of claim 4, wherein said visual alarm is performed using a light emitting diode (LED).

6. The portable storage system of claim 4, wherein said tactile alarm is performed using a vibrating unit.

7. The portable storage system of claim 2, wherein said alarm comprises a wireless communication transmitter configured to transmit an alarming message to a wireless communication receiver.

8. The portable storage system of claim 1, further comprising a timer element operable to delay said trigger for a predefined time interval, said predefined time interval starting when said Slave proximity element is not within said predefined area.

9. The portable storage system of claim 1, wherein said Master proximity element is a network of sensors being configured to wirelessly poll the current location of said Slave proximity element within a predefined area.

10. The portable storage system of claim 1, wherein said Slave proximity element is a network of proximity elements, wherein said Master proximity element being configured to wirelessly poll the proximity of each one of said proximity elements within a predefined proximity threshold, thereby determining whether said Master proximity element is located within the boundaries of a predefined area.

11. The portable storage system of claim 1, wherein said processing unit comprises an encrypting module, said encrypting module being configured to encrypt information stored on said flash memory element when said processing unit is triggered.

12. The portable storage system of claim 1, wherein said data-transferring interface is a member of the following group:

a Universal Serial Bus (USB) connector, a wireless communication unit, an USB2 connector, and a FireWire™

connector.

13. The portable storage system of claim 1, wherein said portable storage device comprises a case within which said flash memory element and at least a portion of said data-transferring interface are mounted.

14. The portable storage system of claim 1, wherein said loss-prevention unit is shaped as a cover for a portion of said data transferring interface which projects from said portable storage device.

15. The portable storage system of claim 1, further comprising a communication module electrically connected with said data transferring interface and said Master proximity element, wherein said Master proximity element is configured to trigger said communication module when said Slave proximity element is not within said predefined proximity threshold, said communication module being configured to instruct said hosting computing unit to send a message to a predefined address.

16. The portable storage system of claim 15, wherein said predefined address is a member of the following group:

an email address, a phone number, and a pager number.

17. The portable storage system of claim 15, wherein said message is a member of the following group:

a Short Message Service (SMS), pager message, an electronic message, a voice message, a visual message, and a tactile message.

18. The portable storage system of claim 1, wherein one of said Master and Slave proximity elements comprises a transmitter, and the other of said Master and Slave proximity elements comprises a receiver adapted for communication with said transmitter.

19. The portable storage system of claim 18, wherein said transmitter is configured for broadcasting an RF signal to said receiver, said receiver being configured for receiving said RF signal.

20. The portable storage system of claim 19, wherein said transmitter is a transponder and said receiver is a transceiver, said transmitter configured for broadcasting said RF signal as a reply signal to an interrogation signal of said transmitter.

21. The portable storage system of claim 18, wherein said transmitter is a radio frequency identification (RFID) transmitter, and said receiver is an RFID receiver.

22. The portable storage system of claim 18, wherein said transmitter is a Infrared (IR) transmitter, and said receiver is an IR receiver.

23. The portable storage system of claim 18, wherein said transmitter and said receiver perform radio communication according to a Bluetooth®

communication protocol.

24. The portable storage system of claim 1, wherein said loss prevention unit comprises a second user indication element electrically connected with said slave proximity element, and wherein said slave proximity element is configured to wirelessly poll the proximity of said master proximity element within a predefined proximity threshold and to trigger said second user indication unit when said master proximity element is not within said predefined proximity threshold.

25. The portable storage system of claim 1, said Master proximity element being configured to operate said portable storage device to issue a network communication to alert an owner when said Slave proximity element is outside a predefined proximity threshold.

26. The portable storage system of claim 1, wherein said portable storage device is one of a group comprising:

a cellular phone, a digital camera, a LAN (Local Area Network) switch, a PC card, a digital setup box and an inner controller for notebook computers.

27. The portable storage system of claim 1, wherein said processing unit is programmable via said data transferring interface.

28. The portable storage system of claim 1, wherein said processing unit is further configured to input a password for deactivating said password protection of said data stored in said flash memory element, wherein said processing unit is configured to deactivate said password protection only if said Slave proximity element is within said predefined area.

29. The portable storage system of claim 28, wherein said password is for decrypting data stored in said flash memory element and encrypted by said data protection application.

30. The portable storage system of claim 28, wherein said password is for enabling components of said portable storage system disabled by said data protection application.

31. The portable storage system of claim 1, wherein said data protection application is further configured to trigger password protection of data stored in said hosting computing unit when said Slave proximity element is not within said predefined area.

32. The portable storage system of claim 1, wherein said communication with said hosting computing unit is through an electrical interface established when portable storage device is plugged in to said hosting computing unit.

33. The portable storage system of claim 1, wherein said portable storage device is a plug-and-play portable storage device.

34. The portable storage system of claim 1, wherein said data-transferring interface is a physical port;

wherein said portable storage device is electrically and removably coupled to said port.

35. The portable storage system of claim 34, wherein said port is a USB port.

36. A method for preventing the loss of a portable storage device, said portable storage device comprising a memory element for data storage, comprising:

a) determining whether said portable storage device is coupled to a loss-prevention unit;

b) if said portable storage device is not coupled to said loss-prevention unit, determining, using radio frequency identification (RFID) or infrared or Bluetooth™

wireless polling, whether said portable storage device is within a predefined area, wherein said wireless polling starts when said loss-prevention unit is physically detached from said portable storage device and stops when said loss-prevention unit is physically coupled to said portable storage device; and

c) if said portable storage device is not within said area;

i) activating data protection to protect data stored within said memory element, wherein said data protection is operational when said portable storage device is unconnected from a hosting computing unit; and

ii) if said portable storage device is connected to the data-transferring interface of a hosting computing unit, triggering a designated protection application on said hosting computing unit via a port, wherein said designated protection application protects data on both said portable storage device and said hosting computing unit when said loss-prevention unit is outside said predefined area.

37. The method of claim 36, wherein said activating is done a predefined time period after said portable storage device has been separated from said loss-prevention unit.

38. The method of claim 36, wherein said data protection is provided by a powered processing unit incorporated in said portable storage device.

39. The method of claim 36, further comprising activating an alarm if said portable storage device is not within said predefined area.

40. The method of claim 36, further comprising inputting a password into said portable storage device via a data-transferring interface and deactivating a password protection with said input password, wherein said password protection is deactivated only if said portable storage device is within said predefined area.

41. A dedicated non-volatile memory unit comprising:

a main body adapted for data storage and retrieval by a hosting computing unit, comprising;

a memory unit configured for data storage;

a battery;

a processing unit associated with said memory unit and powered by said battery, configured for providing password protection for data stored in said memory unit; and

a master proximity element configured for being connected to a data-transferring interface of said hosting computing unit and for determining if a slave proximity element is located within a predefined area, and if said Slave proximity element is not detected within said predefined area for triggering said processing unit via said data-transferring interface to provide said password protection and additionally triggering a designated protection application on said removably connected hosting computing unit, wherein said designated protection application protects data on both said portable storage device and said hosting computing unit when said Slave proximity element is outside said predefined area;

wherein said Slave proximity element is detachably coupled to said main body and wherein location is detected via wireless polling using one member of the group consisting of Infrared, Bluetooth™ and

radio-frequency identification (RFID); and

wherein said wireless polling starts when Slave proximity element is physically detached from said main body and stops when said Slave proximity element is physically coupled to said main body.

42. The dedicated non-volatile memory unit of claim 41, wherein said processing unit is programmable via said data transferring interface.

43. The dedicated non-volatile memory unit of claim 41, wherein said processing unit is further configured to encrypt said data stored in said memory unit upon triggering by said master proximity unit.

44. The dedicated non-volatile memory unit of claim 41, wherein said processing unit is further configured to input a password for deactivating said password protection of said data stored in said memory unit, wherein said processing unit is configured to deactivate said password protection only if said Slave proximity element is within said predefined area.

45. A method for preventing the loss of a portable flash memory storage device, said portable flash memory storage device comprising a flash memory element for data storage, comprising:

a) determining whether said portable flash memory storage device is coupled to a detachable loss-prevention unit;

b) if said portable flash memory storage device is not coupled to said loss-prevention unit, determining, using radio frequency identification (RFID) wireless polling, whether said portable flash memory storage device is within a predefined area, wherein said wireless polling starts when said loss-prevention unit is physically detached from said portable flash memory storage device and stops when said loss-prevention unit is physically coupled to said portable flash memory storage device;

c) activating data protection to protect data stored within said flash memory element if said portable flash memory storage device is not within said predefined area, thereby utilizing a loss-prevention unit to trigger data protection within said portable flash memory storage device;

d) if said portable flash memory storage device is connected to a data-transferring interface of a hosting computing unit, triggering a designated protection application on said hosting computing unit via a port, wherein said designated protection application is protects data on both said portable flash memory storage device and said hosting computing unit when said loss-prevention unit is outside said predefined area.

46. A portable storage system, comprising:

a portable storage device comprising a memory element and a processing unit, said processing unit being associated with said memory element and configured for running a data protection application integrated into said portable storage device to protect data stored in said memory element, said data protection application comprising password protection of said data stored in said memory element;

a loss-prevention unit configured to be detachably coupled to said portable storage device; and

Master and Slave proximity elements comprising radio-frequency identification (RFID) elements, said Master proximity element in communication with said processing unit and physically connected with said portable storage device, said Slave proximity element being physically connected with said detachably coupleable loss-prevention unit, said Master proximity element being configured to wirelessly poll the proximity of said Slave proximity element within a predefined proximity threshold, wherein said wireless polling starts when said loss-prevention unit is physically detached from said portable storage device and stops when said loss-prevention unit is physically coupled to said portable storage device;

wherein said Master proximity element is configured to trigger said processing unit to password protect said data stored in said memory when said Slave proximity element is not detected within said predefined proximity threshold,

wherein said portable storage device is connected to a data-transferring interface of a hosting computing unit to allow said Master proximity element to communicate with said hosting computing unit for triggering a designated protection application on said hosting computing unit via said data-transferring interface when said Slave proximity element connected to said loss-prevention unit is not detected within said predefined proximity threshold,

wherein said designated protection application protects data on both said portable storage device and said hosting computing unit when said Slave proximity element connected to said loss prevention unit is determined to be outside said predefined proximity threshold.