# US 8,543,764 B2 · Storage device with accessible partitions > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,543,764 B2 - Document ID: US8543764B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/608,301 - Filed: 2012-09-10 - Published: 2013-03-07 - Granted: 2013-09-24 - Earliest claimed: 2005-12-22 - Assignees: Imation Corp. - Applicants: David Alexander Jevans; Gil Spencer - Inventors: David Alexander Jevans; Gil Spencer - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8543764B2 ## CPC - G06F 12/1466: {Key-lock mechanism} - G06F 21/31: User authentication - G06F 21/79: in semiconductor storage media, e.g. directly-addressable memories - G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N) ## Abstract A detachable storage device can comprise a memory, circuitry, and a user interface. The memory may comprise a storage partition. The circuitry may be configured to authorize access to the storage partition to a digital device when the detachable storage device is coupled to the digital device based, at least in part, on a user code. The user interface may be configured to receive the user code while the detachable storage device is within a detached state and provide the user code to the circuitry to allow access to the storage partition. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A storage device comprising: memory comprising at least first and second storage partitions, the first storage partition including encrypted data that is decrypted after a first user code is received; circuitry configured to authorize access to the first storage partition when the first user code is received; and a user interface configured to receive the first user code while the storage device is in a detached state, the user interface further configured to provide the first user code to the circuitry; wherein the circuitry is programmed to: deny access to the second storage partition when the first user code is received; allow access to the second storage partition and not to the first storage partition when a second user code is received; allow access to the first and the second storage partitions when a third user code is received; and reset the first, second, and third user codes when a reset code is received by the circuitry. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The storage device of claim 1, further comprising a communication interface configured to send a signal to a digital device coupled to the storage device, the signal indicating that the first storage partition is authorized for access. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The storage device of claim 1, further comprising an authorization indicator configured to indicate that access to the first storage partition is authorized when the first user code is received. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The storage device of claim 1, further comprising an encryptor configured to decrypt a security code to access the first storage partition based on the first user code. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The storage device of claim 4, wherein the encryptor is configured to decrypt the encrypted data within the first storage partition. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The storage device of claim 1, further comprising a controller configured to identify the detachable device to a host computer coupled thereto. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The storage device of claim 1, further comprising a power system operable to supply power to the circuitry while the storage device is in the detached state. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The storage device of claim 1, wherein the user interface is configured to receive the first user code as series of numbers, letters, symbols, or special characters. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The storage device of claim 1, further comprising a connector for coupling the storage device to a host through one or more of a USB connection, firewire connection, ethernet connection, serial connection, parallel connection, SCSI connection, host bus adapter, flash card interface, and an ATA connection. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The storage device of claim 1, wherein the memory comprises one or more of NAND flash memory, NOR flash memory, a hard drive, a storage card, an optical drive, a ram disk, and magnetic tape. ### Claim 11 A method comprising: receiving a first user code to allow access to a storage device having at least first and second storage partitions , wherein the storage device is in a detached state when receiving the first user code; authorizing access to the first storage partition when the storage device is coupled to a digital device, based at least in part on the first user code; denying access to the second storage partition when the storage device is coupled to the digital device, based at least in part on the first user code; allowing access to the first and second storage partitions based on the storage device receiving a second user code; resetting the first and second user codes based on receiving a reset code by the storage device; and erasing data in the first and second storage partitions when the reset code is received by the storage device. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, further comprising sending a signal to the digital device, the signal indicating that access is authorized to one or both of the first and second storage partitions is authorized. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, further comprising alerting a user that access is authorized to one or both of the first and second storage partitions. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, further comprising decrypting a security code based one or both of the first and second user codes. ### Claim 15 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, further comprising decrypting data within one or both of the first and second storage partitions. ### Claim 16 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, further comprising sending a signal to the digital device to recognize and mount one or both of the first and second storage partitions. ### Claim 17 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein receiving one or more of the first and second user codes comprises receiving a series of numbers, letters, symbols, or special characters. ### Claim 18 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, further comprising supplying power to the storage device in the detached state. ### Claim 19 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, further comprising coupling the storage device to the digital device through one or more of a USB connection, firewire connection, Ethernet connection, serial connection, parallel connection, host bus adapter connection, flash card interface connection, ATA connection, and a wireless connection between the storage device and the digital device. ### Claim 20 A non-transitory computer readable medium having embodied thereon a program, the program executable by a processor for performing a method comprising: receiving a first user code with a portable memory device in a detached state, the portable memory device having at least first and second storage partitions; descrambling a database file system associated with the first and second storage partitions, utilizing the first user code; authorizing access to the first partition and denying access to the second partition, based on the first user code; receiving a second user code with the portable memory device in the detached state; authorizing access to the second partition and denying access to the first partition, based on the second user code. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 20, wherein the method further comprises: receiving a third user code with the portable memory device in the detached state; and authorizing access to the first and second partitions, based on the third user code. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 21, wherein the method further comprises: receiving a reset code from a user of the portable memory device; and resetting the first, second, and third user codes, based on the reset code. ### Claim 23 (depends on 20) The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 20, further comprising: encrypting data received from a digital device coupled to the portable memory device; and storing the encrypted data in one or both of the first and second partitions. ### Claim 24 (depends on 23) The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 23, further comprising: decrypting the encrypted data stored in one or both of the first and second partitions; and sending a result of decrypting the encrypted data to the digital device.