Security memory card compatible with secure and non-secure data processing systems

A memory unit removably attachable to a data processing unit, said memory unit comprising:

• a non-volatile memory;
• circuit means for accessing said non-volatile memory;
• security means for protecting the security of data stored in said non-volatile memory;
• and
• an interface for receiving, from the data processing unit, first control data and second control data different from said first control data, said interface supplying received first control data for a read or write operation with respect to said non-volatile memory, and supplying received second control data for a security operation of said security means;
• wherein said interface comprises detection means for detecting whether incoming control data from said data processing unit is said first control data or said second control data, and switching means for switching said control data in accordance with the detection of said detection means, and in a manner such that said first control data is supplied to said circuit means for accessing said non-volatile memory and said second control data is supplied to said security means.

A memory unit removably attachable to a data processing unit, said memory unit comprising:

• a non-volatile memory;
• security means for protecting the security of data stored in said non-volatile memory;
• an interface for receiving, from the data processing unit, first control data and second control data different from said first control data, said interface supplying received first control data for a read or write operation with respect to said non-volatile memory, and supplying received second control data for a security operation of said security means;
• and
• a page buffer, a write register and a read register, each operatively coupled between said interface and said non-volatile memory, wherein said interface outputs data received by said interface following said first control data to at least one of said page buffer, said write register and said read register.

A memory unit removably attachable to a data processing unit, said memory unit comprising:

• a non-volatile memory;
• security means for protecting the security of data stored in said non-volatile memory;
• and
• an interface for receiving, from the data processing unit, first control data and second control data different from said first control data, said interface supplying received first control data for a read or write operation with respect to said non-volatile memory, and supplying received second control data for a security operation of said security means;
• wherein said security means is configured to protect security of data stored in the non-volatile memory in association with security means of said data processing unit by sharing a session key with said security means of said data processing unit.

A data processing unit for recording data to a memory unit removably attached thereto, said memory unit having a non-volatile memory and a security means, said data processing unit comprising:

• an interface for communicating with said memory unit;
• and
• security means for protecting the security of data stored in the non-volatile memory in cooperation with the security means of said memory unit by sharing a session key with the security means of said memory unit;
• wherein said data processing unit transmits through said interface first control data for a reading or writing operation with respect to the non-volatile memory and second control data, which is different from said first control data, for a security operation.

A data processing method in a data processing system having a data processing unit and a memory unit removably attached to said data processing unit, said memory unit comprising a non-volatile memory and a security means for protecting the security of data stored in said non-volatile memory, said method comprising the steps of:

• selectively transmitting, from said data processing unit to said memory unit, first control data for a reading or writing operation with respect to the non-volatile memory, or second control data which is different from said first control data for a security operation;
• and
• said memory unit receiving said transmitted control data, determining whether it is first or second control data, and supplying received first control data to circuitry for accessing said non-volatile memory and received second control data to said security means;
• wherein the memory unit is removably attachable to and operational with a non-security type data processing unit that transmits said first control data and does not transmit said second control data, and is also removably attachable and operational with a security type data processing unit that transmits both said first and second control data.

A method for use in a memory unit removably attached to a data processing unit, said memory unit comprising a non-volatile memory and a security unit for protecting the security of data stored in said non-volatile memory, said method comprising the steps of:

• receiving at said memory unit control data transmitted by the data processing unit, said control data being either first control data for a reading or writing operation, or second control data different from said first control data for a security operation;
• and
• determining whether the received control data is said first or second control data, and supplying received first control data to access said non-volatile memory and supplying received second control data to said security unit;
• wherein the memory unit is removably attachable to and operational with a non-security type data processing unit that transmits said first control data and does not transmit said second control data, and is also removably attachable and operational with a security type data processing unit that transmits both said first and second control data.

A memory unit removably attachable to a data processing unit, said memory unit comprising:

• a non-volatile memory;
• security means for protecting the security of data stored in said non-volatile memory;
• interface means for receiving control codes from the data processing unit;
• and
• determining means for determining whether a control code received by said interface is a first code assigned for a non-volatile memory access operation, or a second, different control code assigned for a security operation;
• wherein if said received control code is determined to be said first control code, data received by said interface means following said received control code is routed to said non-volatile memory, and if said received control code is determined to be said second control code, data received by said interface means following said received control code is routed to said security means.

A method for use in a memory unit removably attached to a data processing unit, said memory unit comprising a non-volatile memory and a security unit for protecting the security of data stored in said non-volatile memory, said method comprising the steps of:

• receiving at said memory unit a control code transmitted by the data processing unit, said control code being either a first control code assigned for a non-volatile memory access operation, or a second, different control code assigned for a security operation;
• determining whether the received control code is said first or second control code;
• and
• receiving at said memory unit data following receipt of said control code;
• wherein if said received control code is determined to be said first control code, said data received following said received control code is routed to said non-volatile memory, and if said received control code is determined to be said second control code, said data received following said received control code is routed to said security unit.

A memory unit removably attachable to a data processing unit, said memory unit comprising:

• a non-volatile memory;
• security means for protecting the security of data stored in said non-volatile memory;
• and
• an interface for receiving, from the data processing unit, first or second information indicating that data to be subsequently written to said non-volatile memory will not be secured, or will be secured, respectively;
• wherein if said second information is received, said security means performs a security operation to enable data subsequently received by said interface to be secured prior to being written to said non-volatile memory, and if said first information is received, said security means does not perform said security operation whereby said subsequently received data is not secured when written to said non-volatile memory.