REMOVABLE MEMORY DEVICE FOR PORTABLE TERMINAL DEVICE

• US 20010016895A1
• Filed: 03/03/1998
• Published: 08/23/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 03/04/1997
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lenovo Innovations Ltd Hong Kong (Lenovo Group Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: NEC Corporation
• Inventors: HAYASHI, KEIICHI, SAKAJIRI, NORIYASU
• Granted Patent: US 6,282,612 B1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 711/115
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/79 in semiconductor storage media, e.g. directly-addressable memories
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/2745 using static electronic memories, e.g. chips
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/275 implemented by means of portable electronic directories
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72409 by interfacing with external accessories hands-free H04M1/60
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/725 Cordless telephones user interfaces specially adapted therefor H04M1/724
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/14 including a card reading device

Abstract

A removable memory device includes a memory for storing individual information therein, a memory manager for protecting the memory when the removable memory device is not connected to a portable terminal device and for allowing access thereto when the removable memory device is connected, a data input/output part as a data sending/receiving port to/from a data input/output part of the portable terminal device, and a controller for detecting an interconnection with the portable terminal device through the data input/output part and for controlling the memory manager. The removable memory device protects the individual information stored within it from being illegally used.

Claims

1. A removable memory device for a portable terminal device for storing individual information including operation of the portable terminal device therein to be removed from said portable terminal device, comprising:

an input port configured to receive a command for removing the removable memory device from the portable terminal device; and

a control unit configured to protect information within the removable memory device when a verification command is received by the input port.

2. A removable memory device for a portable terminal device as set forth in

claim 1

, wherein said verification command is entered based on a request output through an information input/output device connected to said portable terminal device, and wherein said verification command is received by said control unit through said information input/output device.

3. A removable memory device for a portable terminal device as set forth in

claim 2

, wherein said information input/output device is a personal computer.

4. A removable memory device for a portable terminal device as set forth in

claim 1

, wherein, when said removable memory device is illegally separated from said portable terminal device, the information stored within said removable memory device is erased.

5. A removable memory device for a portable terminal device as set forth in

claim 1

, wherein, when said removable memory device is illegally connected to said portable terminal device, said removable memory device prohibits operation of said portable terminal device using the information stored within said removable memory device.

6. A removable memory device for a portable terminal device as set forth in

claim 2

, wherein said control unit is housed in said information input/output device.

7. A removable memory device for a portable terminal device as set forth in

claim 1

, wherein said control unit is housed in said portable terminal device.

8. A removable memory device for a portable terminal device, the removable memory device configured to store individual information related to operation of the portable terminal device, the removable memory device comprising:

an input port configured to receive an operator command for removing the removable memory device from the portable terminal device, the operator command being entered through a computer communicatively connected to the portable terminal device; and

an erase unit configured to erase the information within the removable memory device when both a) and b) occur, where a) a particular password is not entered through the computer, and b) the removable memory device is removed from the portable terminal device.

9. A removable memory device for a portable terminal device as set forth in

claim 8

, wherein, when the particular password is entered through the computer, the removable memory device is allowed to be removed from the portable terminal device without erasing any of the information stored within the removable memory device.

10. A system for allowing for protecting information stored within a removable memory device that is connectable to a portable terminal device, the information relating to operation of the portable terminal device, the system comprising:

an input port configured to receive a command for removing the removable memory device from the portable terminal device; and

a control unit configured to Protect information within the removable memory device when a verification command is received by the input port.

11. A system as set forth in

claim 10

, wherein said control unit is housed in said removable memory device.

12. A system as set forth in

claim 10

, wherein said control unit is housed in said portable terminal device.

13. A system for transferring individual information stored in a removable memory device initially coupled to a first portable terminal device, to a second portable terminal device for which said removable memory device is to be later coupled, the system comprising:

a computer configured to place said first portable terminal device in a maintenance mode when said first portable terminal device is coupled to said computer,

said first portable terminal device including a data input/output part for receiving a remove command for said removable memory device when said first portable terminal device is coupled to said computer while in said maintenance mode,

a controller configured to accept the remove command and to output a request for a password to be entered via said computer,

wherein said controller compares the entered password to a stored password to determine whether there is a coincidence,

wherein, if there is a coincidence, said controller protects the information stored in said removable memory device and informs said computer that said removable memory device can be removed from said first portable terminal device, and

wherein, when said second portable terminal device is coupled to said computer and said removable memory device is coupled to said second portable terminal device and placed in a connection mode, said controller requests to enter the password via said computer in order to allow said second portable terminal device to access the information stored in said removable memory device without erasing the information.

14. A system as set forth in

claim 13

, wherein said controller is housed in said removable memory device.

15. A system as set forth in

claim 13

, wherein said controller is housed in both said first and second portable terminal devices.

16. A method for providing removal of a memory device for a portable terminal device configured to store individual information related to operation of the portable terminal device, the method comprising the steps of:

a) receiving an operator command for removing the removable memory device from the portable terminal device, the operator command be entered through a computer communicatively connected to the portable terminal device;

b) based on the received operator command, requesting entry of a particular password to be entered through the computer; and

c) erasing the information within the removable memory device when both i) and ii) occur, where i) the particular password is not entered through the computer in response to the request made in the step b), and ii) the removable memory device is removed from the portable terminal device.

17. A method for a portable terminal device as set forth in

claim 16

, wherein, when the particular password is entered through the computer in response to the request made in the step b), the removable memory device is allowed to be removed from the portable terminal device without erasing any of the information stored within the removable memory device.