Systems and methods for removing data stored on long-term memory devices

• US 20020196572A1
• Filed: 06/20/2002
• Published: 12/26/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 06/21/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: MyKey Technology Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Dan Bress, Mark Joseph Menz, Mike Menz, Steven Bress
• Inventors: Bress, Steven, Menz, Mike, Menz, Mark Joseph, Bress, Dan
• Granted Patent: US 7,228,379 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 360/57
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0607 by facilitating the process of upgrading existing storage systems, e.g. for improving compatibility between host and storage device
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0652 Erasing, e.g. deleting, data cleaning, moving of data to a wastebasket
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0676 Magnetic disk device
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 20/12 Formatting, e.g. arrangement of data block or words on the record carriers within interface between computers and data recorders G06F3/06
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 5/024 Erasing
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 5/09 Digital recording

Abstract

An application specific device for erasing data from a long-term storage device includes a power supply, a control circuit, and an interface to the storage device. The control circuit controls the long-term storage device to irretrievably remove data from the storage device. The storage device may be, for example, a hard disk drive or compact flash memory. The application specific device is physically small, is operating system independent, and has simple interface that is useable by non-computer professionals.

Claims

1. A device for removing data from a long-term memory component, comprising:

an interface for connecting the device to the long-term memory component;

a control circuit configured to control the long-term memory component through the interface to irretrievably remove data from the long-term memory component; and

a user controllable switch that, when actuated by a user, causes the control circuit to commence irretrievably removing the data from the long-term memory component.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the control circuit is a circuit dedicated to the permanent removal of the data from the long-term memory component.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the control circuit irretrievably removes the data from the long-term memory component by overwriting the data on tracks of the long-term memory component.

4. The device of claim 1, further comprising:

a casing configured to contain the control circuit and the interface, the user controllable switch being mounted on the casing, the casing being of a size that is portable by the user.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein the casing is a rectangular casing that is 8.5″

×

10″

×

1.5″

or smaller.

6. The device of claim 4, further comprising:

LED lights mounted on the casing and providing feedback relating to an operational status of the device to the user.

7. The device of claim 4, further comprising:

a cable emanating from the casing and connected to the interface, the cable being configured to connect to the long-term memory component.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein the cable is an Integrated Device Electronics (IDE) cable.

9. The device of claim 4, further comprising:

an anti-static pad positioned on an external side of the casing and configured to support the long-term memory component during removal of the data from the long-term memory component.

10. The device of claim 1, further comprising:

a power supply configured to supply power to the control circuit.

11. The device of claim 10, further comprising:

a drive power cord emanating from the casing and configured to supply power from the power supply to the long-term memory component.

12. The device of claim 1, wherein the switch, when actuated by the user, causes the control circuit to commence irretrievably removing all the data stored on the long-term memory component.

13. The device of claim 1, wherein a thoroughness level of irretrievably removing the data from the long-term memory component is configurable.

14. The device of claim 1, wherein the interface connects the device to a plurality of long-term memory components.

15. The device of claim 1, wherein the control circuit is further configured to release hidden data on the long-term memory component before irretrievably removing the data.

16. The device of claim 15, wherein the control circuit releases the hidden data without user intervention.

17. The device of claim 15, wherein the control circuit notifies a user when the hidden data requires a password for release.

18. The device of claim 1, wherein the control circuit partitions the longterm memory component after irretrievably removing the data.

19. The device of claim 18, wherein the control circuit formats the longterm memory component for a specific file system.

20. The device of claim 19, wherein the control circuit copies an operating system to the long-term memory component.

21. The device of claim 1, wherein the control circuit verifies the longterm memory component after removing the data from the long-term memory component.

22. A method of irretrievably deleting data by a cleaning device from a long-term memory component installed in a computer, the method comprising:

connecting a cable associated with the cleaning device to the long-term memory component in the computer;

powering-up the computer;

activating the cleaning device via a switch attached to the cleaning device;

irretrievably removing data from the long-term memory component; and

signaling completion of the data removal from the long-term memory component.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the long-term memory component is a disk drive.

24. The method of claim 22, wherein signaling completion of the data removal is performed via one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs).

25. The method of claim 22, wherein irretrievably removing data from the long-term memory component includes irretrievably removing all of the data from the long-term memory component.

26. The method of claim 22, wherein the data from the long-term memory component is removed by overwriting the data on tracks of the long-term memory component.

27. The method of claim 22, wherein a thoroughness level of irretrievably removing the data from the long-term memory component is configurable.

28. The method of claim 22, wherein irretrievably removing the data includes removing data associated with multiple operating systems on the long term memory component.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein the long-term memory component is a disk drive.

31. The method of claim 29, wherein signaling completion of the data removal includes illuminating one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs).

32. The method of claim 29, wherein irretrievably removing data from the long-term memory component includes irretrievably removing all of the data from the long-term memory component.

33. The method of claim 29, wherein the data from the long-term memory component is removed by overwriting the data on tracks of the long-term memory component.

34. The method of claim 29, wherein a thoroughness level of irretrievably removing the data from the long-term memory component is user settable.

35. The method of claim 29, wherein irretrievably removing the data includes removing data associated with multiple operating systems on the long term memory component.

37. The device of claim 36, further comprising:

an anti-static pad positioned on an external portion of the casing and configured to support the long-term memory component during removal of the data from the long-term memory component.

38. The device of claim 36, further comprising:

a power supply configured to supply power to the circuitry; and

a drive power cord emanating from the casing, the drive power cord receiving power from the power supply.

39. The device of claim 36, wherein the casing is a rectangular casing that is 8.5″

×

10″

×

1.5″

or smaller.

40. The device of claim 36, wherein the interface is an Integrated Device Electronics (IDE) interface.

41. The device of claim 36, wherein the circuitry includes an embedded microprocessor.

42. The device of claim 36, wherein the circuitry irretrievably removes the data from the long-term memory component by controlling overwriting of the data on tracks of the long-term memory component.

29. A method of irretrievably deleting data by a cleaning device from a long-term memory component, the method comprising:

connecting a cable associated with the cleaning device to the long-term memory component;

connecting a power cable attached to the cleaning device to the long-term memory component;

activating the cleaning device via a switch attached to the cleaning device;

irretrievably removing data from the long-term memory component; and

signaling completion of the data removal from the long-term memory component.

36. A device for removing data from a long-term memory component, comprising:

means for providing feedback relating to an operational status of the device to a user;

a user settable switch;

an interface for connecting to the long-term memory component; and

circuitry coupled to the means for providing feedback, the user settable switch, and the interface, the circuitry configured, when the switch is actuated by a user, to communicate with the long-term memory component through the interface and control the long-term memory component to irretrievably remove the data therefrom,

wherein the circuitry is enclosed in a portable casing, and the user settable switch and the interface are mounted on an external portion of the casing.

43. A system comprising:

means for interfacing with a hard disk drive;

means for providing power to the hard disk drive; and

switching means for initiating permanent removal of data from the disk drive, the switching means being dedicated to initiating permanent removal of data from the hard disk drive.

44. The system of claim 43, wherein the system is operating system independent relative to the hard drive.

45. The system of claim 43, wherein the hard disk drive is an Integrated Drive Electronics (IDE) disk drive.