TWI518540B - Location enabling storage device and method thereof - Google Patents

Description

Positioning enabled storage device and method thereof

The present invention relates to a storage device, and more particularly to a position-enabled storage device that can set access rights according to a specific location.

Geotagging is a program that adds geographic identification data to different media, such as photos, movies, websites, or RSS feeds, in the form of geospatial metadata. These materials usually come from GPS positioning systems and contain latitude and longitude coordinates, height, bearing, distance or place names.

As a result, some mobile phones, such as the iPhone, Samsung Memoir, and Motorola Backflip, have applied GPS chips to their built-in digital cameras, allowing users to automatically geotag photos. And many digital cameras have built-in GPS to automatically geotag on digital photos, and almost all digital cameras can be connected to a GPS locator and GPS coordinates via photo mapping post-processing software. Information is marked on digital photos.

Digital photos stored in JPEG format, the geographic information is usually embedded in the Exchangeable image file format (EXIF) or scalable In the metadata stored in the Extensible Metadata Platform format (XMP), the data does not appear on the photo but can be read and written by specific software and most digital cameras.

However, in addition to digital photos, there is currently no standard for allowing geographical indications to be placed on files, and there are no storage devices that can store and mark files with geographical indication information.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a location enabled storage device that can set access rights to a storage device based on geographic information.

To achieve the above objective, the positioning enabled storage device of the present invention comprises: a location information receiving unit, a storage unit and a control unit.

The location information receiving unit is configured to receive a location information; the control unit is configured to preset a location information that is allowed to be accessed, and when receiving an access command, determine whether a current location information received by the location information receiving unit is Corresponding to the location information that is allowed to be accessed, and if so, the storage unit is allowed to be accessed.

Preferably, the location-enabled storage device further includes an access interface connected to the control unit for inputting the access command to the control unit, and the control unit determines a current location information and the allowed access When the location information matches, the storage unit is accessed according to the access instruction.

Preferably, if the storage unit is a hard disk, the control unit can further format the storage unit into a plurality of storage areas, and each storage area can be configured to set a location information for allowing access, when the control unit receives When an access command is to access a certain storage area, the control unit first determines Determining whether the current location information received by the location information receiving unit matches the location information of the storage area that is allowed to be accessed, and if so, performing an access operation on the storage area according to the access instruction. Moreover, the control unit can be set at each of the allowed access locations, each of which can be written and read or can only be read.

Preferably, if the storage unit is a flash memory, when a file is to be stored in the storage unit, the control unit is configured to set an access location information of the file, thereby, when the control When the unit receives an access command to access the file, the control unit first determines whether the current location information received by the location information receiving unit matches the location information that is allowed to be accessed, and if so, according to the access The instruction accesses the file. Moreover, the location information that is allowed to be accessed may be the current location information when the file is stored or other location information that is additionally input.

The function of the present invention is to obtain the current location information by using the information receiving unit, and the control unit determines whether the current location information matches the preset allowed access location information to determine the access authority of the storage unit, so that the storage is enabled. The data stored in unit 3 can be protected differently depending on the geographical location, and indeed achieves the efficacy and purpose of the present invention.

1‧‧‧ Positioning enabled storage device

2‧‧‧Personal Computer

11‧‧‧Access interface

12‧‧‧Location Information Receiving Unit

13‧‧‧ storage unit

14‧‧‧Control unit

15‧‧‧Audio codec/decoder

16‧‧‧Image encoder/decoder

17‧‧‧Monitor

18‧‧‧Input operation interface

21~27, 41~46‧‧‧ steps

1 is a block diagram of a preferred embodiment of a positioning enabling storage device of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a flow chart of a preferred embodiment of the positioning enabling storage method of the present invention; and FIG. 3 is a recording hard disk of the embodiment. Access permission setting table for access rights of a single storage area; 4 is an access authority setting table for recording access rights of a plurality of storage areas of the hard disk in the embodiment; FIG. 5 is a view showing logical addresses and physical addresses of different files stored in the flash memory. FIG. 6 is a flowchart of setting access rights of a file according to location information according to the embodiment; and FIG. 7 is an access authority setting for recording access rights of different files stored in the flash memory according to the embodiment. table.

The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention are set forth in the <RTIgt;

Referring to FIG. 1 , a positioning enabled storage device 1 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention includes an access interface 11 , a location information receiving unit 12 , a storage unit 13 , and a control unit 14 . The positioning enabled storage device 1 of this embodiment is exemplified by a solid state hard disk (HDD).

The access interface 11 is for connecting to a host, such as a personal computer 2, for transmitting data. The access interface 11 of this embodiment is a universal serial bus (USB).

The location information receiving unit 12 is configured to receive a current location information of the location-enabled storage device 1. In the embodiment, the location information receiving unit 12 is a global satellite positioning system (GPS) that receives global satellite signals to generate an inclusion. There is position information of the landmark information of the positioning enabling storage device 1. As shown in step 21 of FIG. 2, the location information receiving unit 12 can be activated as needed by the user to receive the global satellite signal at any time in the activated state to generate a current coordinate information of the location-enabled storage device 1.

In the present embodiment, the storage unit 13 is a hard disk.

The control unit 14 can be implemented by a software, a hardware or a firmware. In this embodiment, the control unit 14 is a microcontroller, which is connected to the access interface 11, the location information receiving unit 12, and the storage unit 13. The control data is output to the access interface 11 or stored in the storage unit 13, and the location information transmitted by the location information receiving unit 12 is received.

An application is preset in the control unit 14 of the embodiment, and as shown in step 22 of FIG. 2, the user can be configured to set the access authority of the storage unit 13 according to the location information, that is, as shown in FIG. The location information G1 (for example, a company) can be set to access the location information of the storage unit 13 for access, and other location information G2 (for example, home), G3 (for example, a certain coffee shop) can be input. It is set to access the location information of the access location of the storage unit 13, and as shown in step 23 of FIG. 2, the user can set the access to the storage unit 13 at the allowable access locations G1, G2, G3 through the application. Permissions can be written and read at the same time or can only be read. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the user can simultaneously write and read at positions G1 and G2, and can only read at position G3.

Thus, as shown in step 24 of FIG. 2, when the user wants to access the storage unit 13 and sends an access command to the control unit 14 through an input interface (not shown), the control unit 14 determines the location information receiving unit. 12 Whether the current location information is consistent with one of the preset allowed location information G1, G2, G3, and if so, further confirm the access permission of the location of the access location 13 If the access authority can be simultaneously written and read, the storage unit 13 is opened for access, and if it can only be read, the writing of the data to the storage unit 13 is prohibited. If the current location information does not match the preset location information G1, G2, and G3 that are allowed to be accessed, step 27 is executed to prohibit access to the storage unit 13, thereby limiting The positioning enabled storage device 1 can only be used at a specific location to achieve the effect of protecting the data security in the positioning enabled storage device 1.

In addition, the storage unit 13 can be further formatted into a plurality of storage areas, such as three storage areas A, B, and C, by the above application, and the user can separately set the allowable access location and access rights for each storage area. As shown in FIG. 4, in this case, the storage area A can only be written and read at the positions G1, G2, and can only be read at the position G3, and the storage area B can only be written and read at the position G3. It can only be read at position G4. Storage area C can only be written and read at positions G5 and G6, and can only be read at position G7.

When the location-enabled storage device 1 of the embodiment is a flash drive, the storage unit 13 uses flash memory. The following describes how to set access rights based on the location information.

Since the flash memory in the flash drive is cut into a plurality of memory blocks, each block has a fixed memory space, for example, 128 kbytes. When a file is stored in the flash drive, if the file size exceeds 128 kbytes, The file will be stored in multiple memory blocks. The memory blocks may be continuous or scattered. Therefore, in order to manage these files and blocks, there is a built-in pair in the flash drive. 5, which records a physical address of each block of the storage file and a logical address corresponding to each physical address, whereby when the file is read, the flash drive is based on the logical address of the file. Find the corresponding physical address and read the file smoothly.

Therefore, the control unit can execute a preset application, and if it is determined in step 41 of FIG. 6, when the user wants to store a file in the storage unit 13, step 42 of FIG. 6 is performed to ask the user whether to set the file. Allow access to the location, and if so, proceed to step 43, ask Whether the user uses the current location as the location for allowing access to the file, and if so, proceed to step 44 to allow the user to set access rights at the location, for example, only the file can be read or can be simultaneously written and read. The file, as shown in Figure 7, for example, file A can be written or read at position G1, but can only be read at position G2, while file B can be written or read at position 2, but only at position G3. Was read. Record the set location and access rights in the mapping table or store them separately. Finally, after the setting of the access authority is completed, step 45 is performed to store the file in the storage unit 13.

In step 42, if the user chooses not to set the allowed access location, step 45 is performed to directly store the file; and in step 43, if the user selects to input another location as the allowed access location, step 46 is performed. After the user is required to input other locations, proceed to step 44. Of course, in step 46, the user can record the location that he wants to input in advance, and then input it in a duplicate manner.

Therefore, when the user does not open the file in the set position, the control unit determines that the location information received by the location information receiving unit does not match the set location information of the allowed access, and refuses to open the file, and the protection file is not in the file. Allowing places other than the access location to be opened.

In addition, in addition to the above-mentioned geographic location to set the access rights of the files in the storage unit, the flash memory can be formatted into a plurality of storage areas as shown in FIG. 4 like a hard disk, and are respectively set by geographic location. Access rights for each storage area.

Furthermore, the location information receiving unit 12 can also apply a wireless network communication module that can communicate with a wireless access point device (AP) located at a fixed location in addition to the GPS. For example, an existing wireless network card is implemented because of wireless The network card needs to access the Internet through the wireless access point device, so when the wireless network access point device receives the signal from the wireless network card, it will know that the wireless network card enters the communication a few meters around it. In this context, the location information receiving unit 12 of the present embodiment can be designed to periodically obtain the address of the wireless network access point device itself, and the control unit 14 can store the wireless network according to the address or pre-recorded. The address of the pointing device is used to set the access authority of the storage unit 13, as described above. Therefore, when the control unit 14 of the location enabling storage device 1 determines that the address of the wireless network access point device received by the location information receiving unit 12 does not match the set address, the storage unit 13 is prohibited from being stored. If the address of the wireless network access point device corresponding to the set address is received, the storage unit 13 is opened for access, thereby achieving the purpose of protecting the information in the location-enabled storage device 1. .

Therefore, if the location-enabled storage device is integrated into a personal digital assistant (PDA), the location information receiving unit 12 can use the personal digital assistant's own wireless network communication module to obtain the address of the wireless network access point device. News.

In addition, the location information receiving unit 12 can also be implemented by a wireless communication module that can communicate with the mobile phone base station, such as an existing GSM/GPRS mobile communication module. When the location information receiving unit 12 enters the range of the base station, The base station can detect the location-enabled storage device 1. The location information receiving unit 12 can know that its location is covered by those base stations, and the control unit 14 can set the storage unit 13 according to the base station addresses. Take permission. The setting method is the same as above.

Therefore, if the location-enabled storage device is integrated into the mobile phone, the location information receiving unit 12 can use the mobile communication module of the mobile phone to obtain the address (location) information of the base station.

In addition, it is worth mentioning that the location information receiving unit 12 of the embodiment may also adopt a GPS speed measuring device with a speed measuring function, and the generated position information includes a speed information in addition to its own coordinate information, and the position information is received. The unit 12 provides position information including a speed information of the positioning enabling storage device 1 to the control unit 14. The control unit 14 can set the access authority of the storage unit 13 according to the speed information, for example, when the positioning enabled storage device 1 is placed. In a car, the storage unit 13 can be accessed when the speed of the vehicle reaches a set allowable access speed, thereby providing a different application of the positioning enabled storage device 1.

As shown in FIG. 1, the location-enabled storage device 1 of the present embodiment can also be combined with an audio codec 15, a video codec 16, a display 17, and an input operation. Interfaces 18 (e.g., keyboards or buttons) are integrated to form a multimedia player.

In summary, the location-enabled storage device 1 utilizes an existing geographic location detection system, such as the aforementioned GPS positioning system or wireless communication relay point, such as a wireless network access point device or a mobile phone base station, by location The information receiving unit 12 receives the location information of the satellite, the wireless network access point device or the mobile phone base station, and obtains the position information of the current location, and the control unit 14 determines whether the current location information is preset or not. The location information that is allowed to be accessed is matched to determine the access rights of the storage unit 13, so that the data stored in the storage unit 13 can be differently protected due to the geographical location, and the effect and purpose of the present invention are indeed achieved.

The above is only the preferred embodiment of the present invention, and the scope of the invention is not limited thereto, that is, the simple equivalent changes and modifications made by the scope of the invention and the description of the invention are All remain within the scope of the invention patent.

1‧‧‧ Positioning enabled storage device

2‧‧‧Personal Computer

11‧‧‧Access interface

12‧‧‧Location Information Receiving Unit

13‧‧‧ storage unit

14‧‧‧Control unit

15‧‧‧Audio codec/decoder

16‧‧‧Image encoder/decoder

17‧‧‧Monitor

18‧‧‧Input operation interface

Claims (13)

A positioning enabled storage device includes: a location information receiving unit that receives a location information; a storage unit; and a control unit that can preset a location information that is allowed to be accessed, and when an access command is received Determining whether a current location information received by the location information receiving unit matches the location information that is allowed to be accessed, and if so, allowing the storage unit to be accessed; wherein the control unit further formats the storage unit into more Each storage area, and each storage area can be set to a location information that is allowed to be accessed. The location-enabled storage device of claim 1, further comprising an access interface connected to the control unit, wherein the access command is input to the control unit, and the control unit determines the current one. When the location information matches the location information that is allowed to be accessed, the storage unit is accessed according to the access instruction. The location-enabled storage device of claim 1, wherein the storage unit is a hard disk or a flash memory. The location-enabled storage device of claim 1, wherein the control unit is configured to set an access location information of a file, when the control unit receives an access command to access the file. The control unit first determines whether the current location information received by the location information receiving unit matches the location information that is allowed to be accessed, and if so, accesses the file according to the access instruction. The location-enabled storage device of claim 1, wherein the location information that is allowed to be accessed may be preset according to location information received by the location information receiving unit or preset according to other location information that is additionally input. . The location-enabled storage device of claim 1, wherein the control unit further sets the storage unit to be writeable and readable or can only be read at the location where the access is permitted. The location-enabled storage device of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the location information receiving unit is a global positioning system, and a wireless communication module capable of receiving address information of a mobile phone base station. Or a wireless network communication module that can receive address information of the wireless network access point device. The location-enabled storage device of claim 1, wherein the location information provided by the location information receiving unit to the control unit includes a speed information, and the control unit is configured to set the storage unit according to the speed information. Access rights. A positioning enabling storage method is applied to a storage device having a storage unit, and the storage device performs steps including: (A) causing a location information receiving unit of the storage device to receive a location information; and (B) Having a control unit of the storage device accepts location information for allowing access, and upon receiving an access command, determining whether a current location information received by the location information receiving unit is related to the allowed access location The information is consistent, and if so, the storage unit is allowed to be accessed; wherein the control unit further formats the storage unit into a plurality of storage areas, and each storage area is configured to set a location information that is allowed to be accessed. The positioning enabling storage method according to claim 9 further includes that the control unit is further set to the allowed access position of each of the storage areas, and each of the storage areas can be written and read. Or can only be read. According to the location-enabled storage method of claim 9, the control unit is further configured to provide an access location information of a file. According to the location-enabled storage method of claim 9, the location information of the allowed access may be set according to a location information received by the location information receiving unit or other location information input. The location-enabled storage method of claim 9, wherein the location information provided by the location information receiving unit to the control unit includes a speed information, and the control unit is configured to set the speed information according to the speed information. Access to the storage unit.