Physically modifying a data storage device to disable access to secure data and repurpose the data storage device
AssigneeWestern Digital Technologies, Inc.
InventorsALAN T. MEYER, KENNY T. COKER, DANIEL D. RENO
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Abstract
A data storage device is disclosed comprising a non-volatile memory and control circuitry operable to evaluate a physical feature of the data storage device, wherein the physical feature is physically alterable by a user. When the physical feature is in a first state, host access to first secure data stored in the non-volatile memory is enabled, and when the physical feature is in a second state, the host access to the first secure data is disabled and host access to second data stored in the non-volatile memory is enabled.
Claims38
A data storage device comprising:
- a non-volatile memory;
- and
- control circuitry operable to:
- evaluate a physical feature of the data storage device, wherein the physical feature is physically alterable by a user;
- when the physical feature is in a first state, enable host access to first secure data stored in the non-volatile memory;
- and
- when the physical feature is in a second state, disable the host access to the first secure data and enable host access to second data stored in the non-volatile memory.
A method of operating a data storage device, the data storage device comprising a non-volatile memory, the method comprising:
- evaluating a physical feature of the data storage device, wherein the physical feature is physically alterable by a user;
- when the physical feature is in a first state, enabling host access to first secure data stored in the non-volatile memory;
- and
- when the physical feature is in a second state, disabling the host access to the first secure data and enable host access to second data stored in the non-volatile memory.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.