WO2010078736A1

WO2010078736A1 - Security system for data storage devices

Info

Publication number: WO2010078736A1
Application number: PCT/CN2009/070841
Authority: WO
Inventors: Hung Kwong Chiu
Original assignee: Hung Kwong Chiu
Priority date: 2009-01-09
Filing date: 2009-03-17
Publication date: 2010-07-15
Also published as: HK1123455A2

Abstract

A security system for a data storage device is provided. The security system includes a housing having a compartment for receiving the data storage device, an alarm unit provided on the housing, a signal transmitter and a signal receiver. One of the signal transmitter and receiver is provided on the housing and the other one of the signal transmitter and receiver is provided on the data storage device. The alarm unit is activated when communication between the signal transmitter and the signal receiver is terminated.

Description

SECURITY SYSTEM FOR DATA STORAGE DEVICES

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority of Hong Kong short-term patent application no. 09100262.2 filed on January 9, 2009, the entire content of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF PATENT APPLICATION

The present patent application relates to a security system for data storage devices.

BACKGROUND

As electronic technology develops rapidly, portable data storage devices of small size and large memory capacity (such as USB storage devices) become essential tools for use in connection with hosts such as computers or printers and facsimile machines having external storage capacity.

Users store confidential and important data in data storage devices. The stored data may include confidential data of the government, private and public organizations, personal privacy information, and examination questions in schools. In certain circumstances, users are required to access the data in these data storage devices using public computers for retrieving information or printing out the data. When the job is done, a user may forget to remove the data storage device from the computer. This causes leakage of data and may lead to tremendous damages.

Certain data storage devices with security systems are available on the market. For example, some data storage devices require a user to enter a password before the data in the data storage devices can be accessed. However, these existing security systems are inconvenience and do not solve the problem of leaving data storage devices behind. The above description of the background is provided to aid in understanding the security system for data storage devices, but is not admitted to describe or constitute pertinent prior art to the security system for data storage devices disclosed in the present patent application, or consider any cited documents as material to the patentability of the claims of the present patent application.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment, the communication between the signal transmitter and the signal receiver is through wireless communication.

In one embodiment, the housing includes a power source for supplying electric power to the alarm unit and the one of the signal transmitter and receiver. A light indicator may be provided to indicate low in power supply. The housing may include a recharging unit having a recharging circuit for recharging the power source. The power source may be a rechargeable battery. A first switch may be disposed in the compartment for controlling the supply of electric power to the alarm unit and the one of the signal transmitter and receiver. The electric power is supplied to the alarm unit and the one of the signal transmitter and receiver when the data storage device is removed from the compartment switching the first switch to an ON position. The electric power is disconnected from the alarm unit and the one of the signal transmitter and receiver when the data storage device is inserted into the compartment switching the first switch to an OFF position. The first switch may be a micro switch. A second switch may be provided on the housing for controlling supply of electric power to the alarm unit and the one of the signal transmitter and receiver. The second switch may be manually operable by a user and may be independently operable with respect to the first switch.

In one embodiment, the data storage device includes a first interface through which electric power can be obtained from an outside source to supply electric power to the other one of the signal transmitter and receiver and a memory unit of the data storage device. The housing may includes a second interface electrically coupled to data storage device when being inserted into the compartment of the housing. The first and second interfaces may be USB interfaces.

In one embodiment, the alarm unit includes a sound generator.

In one embodiment, the alarm unit includes a flashing light.

In another aspect, a mobile phone including the security system described above is provided.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Specific embodiments of the security system for data storage devices disclosed in the present patent application will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a security system for data storage devices according to an embodiment disclosed in the present patent application;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the security system for data storage devices in FIG. 1 with a data storage device being removed therefrom;

FIG. 3(a) is a front view of the security system for data storage devices according another embodiment disclosed in the present patent application;

FIG. 3(b) is a side view of the security system for data storage devices in FIG. 3(a); and FIG. 4 is a front view of a mobile phone with the security system for data storage devices of the present patent application incorporated therein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to a preferred embodiment of the security system for data storage devices disclosed in the present patent application, examples of which are also provided in the following description. Exemplary embodiments of the security system for data storage devices disclosed in the present patent application are described in detail, although it will be apparent to those skilled in the relevant art that some features that are not particularly important to an understanding of the security system for data storage devices may not be shown for the sake of clarity.

Furthermore, it should be understood that the security system for data storage devices disclosed in the present patent application is not limited to the precise embodiments described below and that various changes and modifications thereof may be effected by one skilled in the art without departing from the spirit or scope of the appended claims. For example, elements and/or features of different illustrative embodiments may be combined with each other and/or substituted for each other within the scope of this disclosure and appended claims.

It should be noted that throughout the specification and claims herein, when one element is said to be "coupled" or "connected" to another, this does not necessarily mean that one element is fastened, secured, or otherwise attached to another element. Instead, the term "coupled" or "connected" means that one element is either connected directly or indirectly to another element or is in mechanical or electrical communication with another element.

Referring now to the drawings, in which like reference numerals represent like parts throughout the drawings, FIG. 1 is block diagram of a security system for data storage devices according to an embodiment disclosed in the present patent application.

The security system may include an outer housing 10 and a data storage device generally represented by reference numeral 30. The outer housing 10 may have an inner compartment 11 for receiving therein the data storage device 30. The inner compartment 11 may be provided with a cutout portion 15 to facilitate the removal of the data storage device 30 from the inner compartment 11 of the outer housing 10 by a fingere tip of a user.

The data storage device 30 can be a USB data storage device or other data storage device such as a micro or mini SD, MMC, or any other form of memory card or stick. The data storage device 30 may have an electrical plug or connector 31 and a memory unit 32. The electrical connector 31 may be in the form of a USB connector or any other appropriate electrical connector. The memory unit 32 can store data transmitted through the electrical connector 31 from a host (such as computer, or printer and facsimile machines having external storage capacity). The data storage device 30 obtains electric power from the host when the electrical connector 31 is inserted into a corresponding socket provided on the host. The electric power can then supply electricity to the memory unit 32.

The security system may include a signal transmitter 33 and a signal receiver 12. According to the illustrated embodiment, the signal transmitter 33 is provided on the data storage device 30 and the signal receiver 12 is provided in the outer housing 10. Communication between the signal transmitter 33 and the signal receiver 12 can be maintained when the signal transmitter 33 transmits signals to the signal receiver 12 and the signal receiver 12 receives signals from the signal transmitter 33. The communication between the signal transmitter 33 and the signal receiver 12 can be by way of infrared, Bluetooth, or any other suitable form of wireless communication.

An alarm unit 14 can be provided in the outer housing 10 and electrically coupled to the signal receiver 12. The alarm unit 14 may include a circuit, an alarm generator, and a power source. The alarm generator may be a sound generator, or may be in the form of a flashing light when the alarm generator is activated. The power source may be in the form of a button type cell battery, or a dry cell battery.

The alarm unit 14 may be activated when the communication between the signal transmitter 33 and the signal receiver 12 is terminated. Termination of communication between the signal transmitter 33 and the signal receiver 12 may occur if the distance between the outer housing 10 and the data storage device 30 exceeds a preset valve. Termination of communication between the signal transmitter 33 and the signal receiver 12 may also occur if the operation of the signal transmitter 33 is interrupted. The operation of the signal transmitter 33 may stop when it is inserted into a computer but the computer is shut down for some reasons. The operation of the signal transmitter 33 may also terminate when it is removed from the socket of the computer thereby interupting the supply of electric power to the signal transmitter 33. When the signal transmitter 33 stops to function, no signal will be transmitted to the signal receiver 12 and the communication between the signal transmitter 33 and the signal receiver 12 will be terminated. When the communication between the signal transmitter 33 and the signal receiver 12 is interrupted, the alarm unit 14 will be activated.

A switch 13 may be provided in the inner compartment 11. The switch 13 may be in the form of a micro switch that can fit into the small space available in the inner compartment 11 of the outer housing 10. The micro switch 13 may be employed to control the supply of electric power to the signal receiver 12 and the alarm unit 14 as described below.

When the data storage device 30 is inserted into the inner compartment 11 of the outer housing 10, it switches the micro switch 13 to an OFF position, breaks the circuit of the signal receiver 12 and the alarm unit 14, and discontinues the supply of electric power to the signal receiver 12 and the alarm unit 14. This can save the consumption of power when the alarm unit 14 is not in use.

When the data storage device 30 is removed from the inner compartment 11 of the outer housing 10, as illustrated in FIG. 2, it switches the micro switch 13 to an ON position, closes the circuit of the signal receiver 12 and the alarm unit 14, and starts the supply of electric power to the signal receiver 12 and the alarm unit 14. The housing 10 is kept with the user. The alarm unit 14 in the housing 10 can be activated and an alarm can sound when communication between the signal transmitter 33 and the signal receiver 12 is terminated. A second optional switch (not shown) may be provided on the outer housing 10. The second optional switch may be manually operable by the user to break the circuit of the alarm unit 14. The second optional switch is independently operablw with respect to the micro switch 13.

FIGS. 3(a) and 3(b) are front and side views of the security system for data storage devices according a second embodiment disclosed in the present patent application.

Similar to the earlier embodiment, the security system may include an outer housing 110 and a data storage device 130. The outer housing 110 may have a compartment for receiving therein the data storage device 130. The data storage device 130 may have an electrical connector such as a USB interface. The data storage device 130 may obtain electric power from a host computer when the electrical connector is inserted into a corresponding socket provided on the host computer. Electric power can be supplied to the data storage device 130.

The security system may include a signal transmitter 133 in the data storage device 130 and a signal receiver 112 in the outer housing 110. Communication between the signal transmitter 133 and the signal receiver 112 can be maintained when the signal transmitter 133 transmits signals to the signal receiver 112 and the signal receiver 112 receives signals from the signal transmitter 133. The communication between the signal transmitter 133 and the signal receiver 112 can be wireless communication such as infrared or Bluetooth. An alarm unit 114 can be provided in the outer housing 110 and can be electrically coupled to the signal receiver 112. The alarm unit 114 may include a circuit and an alarm generator. The alarm generator may be a sound generator, or may be in the form of a flashing light when the alarm unit 114 is activated.

Similar to the earlier embodiment, a micro switch 113 may be provided in the inner compartment and may be employed to control the supply of electric power to the signal receiver 112 and the activation of the alarm unit 114. When the data storage device 130 is inserted into the inner compartment of the outer housing 110, it switches the micro switch 113 to an OFF position, breaks the circuit of the signal receiver 112 and the alarm unit 114, and discontinues the supply of electric power to the signal receiver 112 and the alarm unit 114. When the data storage device 130 is removed from the inner compartment of the outer housing 110, it switches the micro switch 113 to an ON position, closes the circuit of the signal receiver 112 and the alarm unit 114, and starts the supply of electric power to the signal receiver 112 and the alarm unit 114. The alarm unit 114 can then be activated when communication between the signal transmitter 133 and the signal receiver 112 is terminated.

The security system of the second embodiment may further include a recharging unit 116 which may be electrically coupled to the alarm unit 114. The recharging unit 116 may have a recharging circuit for recharging a rechargeable battery located inside the recharging unit 116. A light indicator may be provided on the outer housing 110 to give the user a visual indication when voltage is low and the rechargeable battery is almost empty.

The security system of the second embodiment may further include electrical contacts 118 extending from one end of the outer housing 110 where a second electrical connector is formed to the opposite end of the outer housing 110 where the inner compartment is located. A cap 120 may be employed to cover and protect the second electrical connector on the outer housing 110.

Similar to the earlier embodiment, a user can remove the data storage device 130 from the inner compartment of the outer housing 110. This switches the micro switch 113 to an ON position, closes the circuit of the signal receiver 112 and the alarm unit 114, and starts the supply of electric power to the signal receiver 112 and the alarm unit 114. The alarm unit 114 can then be activated when communication between the signal transmitter 133 and the signal receiver 112 is terminated.

In addition to the above, a user can insert the data storage device 130 into the inner compartment of the outer housing 110. This switches the micro switch 113 to an OFF position, breaks the circuit of the signal receiver 112 and the alarm unit 114, and discontinues the supply of electric power to the signal receiver 112 and the alarm unit 114. The alarm unit 114 will not operate. However, the user can remove the cap 120 from the housing 110 and insert the second electrical connector into a socket of a computer. Through the electrical contacts 118, the user can access the data from the data stroage device 130. At the same time, the user can recharge the rechargeable battery in the recharging unit 116.

FIG. 4 is a front view of a mobile phone 200 with the security system for data storage devices of the present patent application incorporated therein. The mobile phone 200 may include a compartment at a bottom end thereof for receiving a data storage device 230. The data storage device 230 may include a signal transmitter. Electrical contacts 218 electrically connect the data storage device 230 to the mobile phone 200 when the data storage device 230 is inserted into the compartment of the mobile phone 200. A micro switch 213 may be provided in the compartment of the mobile phone 200.

When the data storage device 230 is inserted into the compartment of the mobile phone 200, it switches the micro switch 213 to an OFF position, breaks the circuit of a signal receiver and the alarm unit 214, and discontinues the supply of electric power to the signal receiver and the alarm unit 214. When the data storage device 230 is removed from the compartment of the mobile phone, it switches the micro switch 213 to an ON position, closes the circuit of the signal receiver and the alarm unit 214, and starts the supply of electric power to the signal receiver and the alarm unit 214. The mobile phone is kept with the user. The alarm unit 214 on the mobile phone 200 can then be activated and an alarm can sound when communication between the signal transmitter on the data storage device 230 and the signal receiver on the mobile phone 200 is terminated.

The ring tone of the mobile phone 200 may be used as the alarm generator of the alarm unit 214 of the security system. The security system may also make use of the mobile phone battery and the mobile phone signal receiver as the battery and signal receiver of the security system. The data storage device 230 may be used as a data storage device for the mobile phone 200 as well as a medium for the exchange of data between the mobile phone 200 and a computer.

While the security system for data storage devices disclosed in the present patent application has been shown and described with particular references to a number of preferred embodiments thereof, it should be noted that various other changes or modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the appending claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A security system for a data storage device comprising: a housing comprising a compartment for receiving the data storage device; a signal transmitter and a signal receiver, one of the signal transmitter and receiver is provided on the housing and the other one of the signal transmitter and receiver is provided on the data storage device; and an alarm unit provided on the housing, wherein the alarm unit is activated when communication between the signal transmitter and the signal receiver is terminated.

2. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the communication between the signal transmitter and the signal receiver is through wireless communication.

3. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the housing comprises a power source for supplying electric power to the alarm unit and the one of the signal transmitter and receiver.

4. The system as claimed in claim 3, further comprising a light indicator to indicate low in power supply.

5. The system as claimed in claim 3, wherein the housing comprises a recharging unit having a recharging circuit for recharging the power source.

6. The system as claimed in claim 5, wherein the power source is a rechargeable battery.

7. The system as claimed in claim 3, further comprising a first switch disposed in the compartment for controlling the supply of electric power to the alarm unit and the one of the signal transmitter and receiver.

8. The system as claimed in claim 7, wherein electric power is supplied to the alarm unit and the one of the signal transmitter and receiver when the data storage device is removed from the compartment switching the first switch to an ON position; and electric power is disconnected from the alarm unit and the one of the signal transmitter and receiver when the data storage device is inserted into the compartment switching the first switch to an OFF position.

9. The system as claimed in claim 8, wherein the first switch is a micro switch.

10. The system as claimed in claim 8, further comprising a second switch provided on the housing for controlling supply of electric power to the alarm unit and the one of the signal transmitter and receiver, wherein the second switch is manually operable by a user and is independently operable with respect to the first switch.

11. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the data storage device comprises a first interface through which electric power can be obtained from an outside source to supply electric power to the other one of the signal transmitter and receiver and a memory unit of the data storage device.

12. The system as claimed in claim 11, wherein the housing comprises a second interface electrically coupled to data storage device when being inserted into the compartment of the housing.

13. The system as claimed in claim the outer housing 12, wherein the first and second interfaces are USB interfaces.

14. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the alarm unit comprises a sound generator.

15. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the alarm unit comprises a flashing light.

16. A security system for a data storage device comprising: a housing comprising a compartment for receiving the data storage device; a signal transmitter and a signal receiver, one of the signal transmitter and receiver is provided on the housing and the other one of the signal transmitter and receiver is provided on the data storage device; an alarm unit provided on the housing, wherein the alarm unit is activated when communication between the signal transmitter and the signal receiver is terminated, and wherein the housing comprises a power source for supplying electric power to the alarm unit and the one of the signal transmitter and receiver; a first switch disposed in the compartment for controlling the supply of electric power to the alarm unit and the one of the signal transmitter and receiver, wherein electric power is supplied to the alarm unit and the one of the signal transmitter and receiver when the data storage device is removed from the compartment switching the first switch to an ON position, and wherein electric power is disconnected from the alarm unit and the one of the signal transmitter and receiver when the data storage device is inserted into the compartment switching the first switch to an OFF position; and a second switch provided on the housing for controlling supply of electric power to the alarm unit and the one of the signal transmitter and receiver, wherein the second switch is manually operable by a user and is independently operable with respect to the first switch.

17. A security system for a data storage device comprising: a housing comprising a compartment for receiving the data storage device; a signal transmitter and a signal receiver, one of the signal transmitter and receiver is provided on the housing and the other one of the signal transmitter and receiver is provided on the data storage device; and an alarm unit provided on the housing, the alarm unit being activated when communication between the signal transmitter and the signal receiver is terminated; wherein the housing comprises a power source for supplying electric power to the alarm unit and the one of the signal transmitter and receiver; and wherein the data storage device comprises a first interface through which electric power can be obtained from an outside source to supply electric power to the other one of the signal transmitter and receiver and a memory unit of the data storage device.

18. A mobile phone comprising the security system for a data storage device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 15.