Patent ID: 8219824
Filing Date: 2012-07-10
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
1. A storage apparatus, comprising: a non-volatile memory including a root directory area and a data area, wherein the root directory area is used for storing a password file, and the password file comprises a personal password; a controller electrically connected to the non-volatile memory for controlling the operation of the storage apparatus and communicating with a host through a universal interface, the controller is further used for looking for the password file in the root directory area to determine whether the password file is stored in the root directory area; and an encryption/decryption unit disposed in the controller and having a key, wherein when the controller cannot find the password file in the root directory area, the controller allows the host to write a new password file into the root directory area; wherein when the controller finds the password file in the root directory area, the controller records a cluster of the password file and detects whether the password file is written, and the controller triggers a password comparison operation when a user of the host writes a password into the password file, wherein during the password comparison operation, the controller compares the password with the personal password stored in the password file from the cluster in order to identify the user, and if the password matches the personal password in the password file, the controller allows the host to access the data stored in the data area, while if the password does not match the personal password in the password file, the controller only allows the host to read data in the root directory area and responds a predetermined response to any other read operation for reading the data stored in the data area.