Smart data storage device
AssigneeSmartDisk Corporation
InventorRaymund H. Eisele
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An insertable device, for use with electronic data processing equipment storage units, e.g., disk drives or cassette units. The device includes a housing for insertion at least partially into the storage unit of a size and shape designed to fit the storage unit, an interface disposed in the housing for facilitating the transfer of data between the device and the electronic data processing equipment, and a processor disposed in the housing and operatively connected to the interface, for performing processing of data.
Claims18
A data security system for electronic data processing equipment, the electronic data processing equipment having a central processing unit with a storage unit, the storage unit being one of a diskette drive and a tape cassette storage unit having at least one magnetic read/write head, and a device for providing data security, the device comprising:
- housing means for housing components of the device, and for insertion into the storage unit, the housing means being of a shape and size of one of a diskette and a cassette housing and being designed to fit at least partially into and operatively engage the storage unit;
- a single interface means disposed in said housing means, for transferring data to and from the device and the at least one magnetic read/write head of the storage unit of the electronic data processing equipment;
- data processor means, disposed in said housing means and operatively connected to said interface means, for performing processing of data to enable secure access, encryption, and affecting operation of the electronic data processing equipment;
- a battery, disposed in said housing means, for storing energy to operate the device;
- and
- wherein the interface means includes simulation means for simulating one of a diskette and a tape storage medium, the simulation means comprising driver circuit means operatively connected to the data processor means, for converting digital data signals from the data processor means into simulated storage media signals to be provided to the storage unit and for converting received signals from the storage unit into digital data signals for processing by the data processor means.
A method of operating a security system including a device for providing data security to enable secure access and operation of electronic data processing equipment, the electronic data processing equipment having a storage unit, a display and a first data processor means, the device being for insertion into the storage unit of the electronic data processing equipment, the storage unit including at least one read/write head and being one of a diskette drive and a tape cassette storage unit, the device including housing means for housing components of the device and for insertion into the storage unit, the housing means being of a shape and size of one of a diskette and a cassette housing and being designed to fit at least partially into and operatively engage the storage unit, a single interface means disposed in said housing means, for transferring data between the device and the at least one read/write head of the storage unit, and second data processor means disposed in said housing means and operatively connected to said interface means, for performing processing of data, the method comprising the steps of:
- inserting the housing means of the device into the storage unit so that the device operatively engages with the storage unit and the at least one read/write head therein;
- transferring user identification data input on the electronic data processing equipment to the second data processor means of the device from the electronic data processing equipment through the storage unit through the interface means and the at least one read/write head;
- verifying user authorization, including processing the user identification data with the second data processor means of the device;
- and
- transferring to the electronic data processing equipment a verification result from the preceding verifying step and displaying the verification result on at least the display of the electronic data processing equipment.
A method of operating a security system including a device for providing data security to enable secure access and operation of electronic data processing equipment, the electronic data processing equipment having a storage unit, a display and a first data processor means, the device being for insertion into the storage unit of the electronic data processing equipment, the storage unit including at least one read/write head and being one of a diskette drive and a tape cassette storage unit, the device including housing means for housing components of the device and for insertion into the storage unit, the housing means being of a shape and size of one of a diskette and a cassette housing and being designed to fit at least partially into and operatively engage the storage unit, a single interface means disposed in said housing means, for transferring data between the device and the at least one read/write head of the storage unit, and second data processor means disposed in said housing means and operatively connected to said interface means, for performing processing of data, wherein both the device and the electronic data processing equipment are equipped with a key-pad for inputting data into the device having at least numerical and function keys, the key-pad of the device being operatively connected to the second data processor means of the device, and wherein the device is equipped with display means operatively connected to the second data processor means, for displaying data to a user of the device, wherein the key-pad and the display means are configured as a modular unit attached physically and electrically to the device, the method comprising the steps of:
- inserting the housing means of the device into the storage unit so that the device operatively engages with the storage unit and the at least one read/write head therein:
- inputting a user personal identification number into the device by numerical keys of the device key-pad, or inputting a user personal identification number on the keypad of the electronic data processing equipment and causing transfer of the personal identification number to the device in response to actuation of one of the function keys;
- verifying user authorization, including processing the inputted user personal identification number in the second data processor means of the device;
- transferring to the electronic data processing equipment a verification result from the preceding verifying step;
- and
- displaying a verification result from the preceding verifying step on at least one of the display of the electronic data processing equipment, or the display means.
Data security apparatus for electronic data processing equipment, the apparatus comprising:
- housing means for insertion into a data storage unit of the electronic data processing equipment, the housing means being one of a diskette and a cassette housing of a shape and size designed to fit into and operatively engage the data storage unit;
- a single interface means disposed in said housing means, for transferring data to and from the apparatus and the electronic data processing equipment through the data storage unit, the interface means including simulating means for simulating a cassette tape or a diskette storage medium;
- and
- data processor means, disposed in said housing means and operatively connected to said interface means, for performing processing of data to enable secure access and operation of the electronic data processing equipment, and for controlling the interface means.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.