Patent ID: 8275994
Filing Date: 2012-09-25
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
1. A removable information storage apparatus equipped with (1) a predetermined interface for connecting to an external appliance, (2) an information storage unit, and (3) a security unit with a limited access from the external appliance, the removable information apparatus further comprising: a password input unit used by a user to input at least a specified portion of a password for access to the removable information storage apparatus, the password composed of a number of characters, and the specified portion of the password being (i) a plurality of consecutive or nonconsecutive characters in the password that are selected for input by the user and (ii) consisting of a smaller number of characters than the number of characters of the password; a password collating unit that collates at least the specified portion of the password input by the user; an access authorizing unit that authorizes an access to the security unit from the external appliance connected to the removable information storage apparatus in response to the collation of at least the specified portion of the password by the password collating unit; and memory having a password table, wherein,