Systems and methods for managing storage devices

Abstract

Systems and methods for managing storage devices are provided. The system includes a storage device having at least one hidden area. The hidden area is created using initialization firmware, and the hidden area is allowed to be accessed by using a library. A password authentication mechanism is applied to the hidden area of the storage device. When an input password received via a specific application conforms to a predefined password of the hidden area, the hidden area is allowed to be accessed by using the library. Since the storage device may have a plurality of hidden areas, and each hidden area may have a respective password, the respective hidden areas can be independently and securely managed. Additionally, since the predefined password can be changed by a purchasing company, the manufacturer of the storage device or the microcontroller company which designed the microcontroller of the storage device is prohibited from accessing the hidden area by any means after the predefined password of the hidden area is changed by the purchasing company.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.