Storage device with concurrent initialization and fingerprint recognition

A storage device having biometric security protection, the storage device comprising:

• a plurality of nonvolatile memories;
• a storage controller configured to control operations of the plurality of nonvolatile memories;
• a power supply configured to supply power to the plurality of nonvolatile memories and the storage controller;
• and
• at least one biometric sensor configured to sense biometric indicia of a user,
• wherein, immediately after the power is supplied to the storage device, the storage controller is configured to set the storage device to a standby mode by starting an initialization operation on the storage device,
• wherein the storage controller is configured to perform a biometric recognition operation for recognizing the biometric indicia of the user by performing a biometric preparation operation using the at least one biometric sensor,
• wherein, when the initialization operation is completed and an operation of setting the storage device to the standby mode is completed, and when the biometric recognition operation is successfully completed, the storage controller is configured to set the storage device to a normal access mode such that an external host device is allowed to access the storage device in accordance with the biometric security protection, and
• wherein the initialization operation and the biometric preparation operation are concurrently performed, and the initialization operation is started before the biometric recognition operation is completed.

A method of operating a storage device having biometric security protection, the method comprising:

• supplying power to the storage device by electrically connecting the storage device with an external host device;
• immediately after power is supplied to the storage device, setting the storage device to a standby mode in which all or part of files stored in the storage device are not displayed by turning on and initializing a storage controller and a plurality of nonvolatile memories included in the storage device, by exchanging predetermined information with the external host device such that the storage device is recognized by the external host device, and by enabling a drive and a partition corresponding to the storage device;
• performing a fingerprint recognition preparation operation;
• performing a fingerprint recognition operation for recognizing a fingerprint of a user by comparing a fingerprint sensed by a fingerprint sensor with a registered fingerprint;
• when an operation of setting the storage device to the standby mode is completed, and when the fingerprint sensed by the fingerprint sensor matches the registered fingerprint and the fingerprint recognition operation is successfully completed, setting the storage device to a normal access mode such that the external host device is allowed to access the storage device in accordance with the biometric security protection;
• when the operation of setting the storage device to the standby mode is not completed, or when the fingerprint recognition operation is not successfully completed, waiting for a completion of the operation of setting the storage device to the standby mode and a successful completion of the fingerprint recognition operation;
• and
• when the fingerprint sensed by the fingerprint sensor does not match the registered fingerprint and the fingerprint recognition operation is unsuccessful, and when a number of times that the fingerprint recognition operation is unsuccessful exceeds a predetermined number of times, deleting a predetermined file among the files stored in the storage device, and
• wherein the operation of setting the storage device to the standby mode and the fingerprint recognition preparation operation are simultaneously or concurrently performed in parallel, and the operation of setting the storage device to the standby mode is started before the fingerprint recognition operation is completed.