Source: https://patents.google.com/patent/AU729507B2/en
Timestamp: 2019-09-17 11:28:48
Document Index: 494136792

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 4', 'art 2', 'art 4', 'art 2', 'art 4', 'art 4', 'art 4', 'art 2', 'art 4', 'art 4']

AU729507B2 - Removable memory device for portable terminal device - Google Patents
Removable memory device for portable terminal device Download PDF
AU729507B2
AU729507B2 AU56448/98A AU5644898A AU729507B2 AU 729507 B2 AU729507 B2 AU 729507B2 AU 56448/98 A AU56448/98 A AU 56448/98A AU 5644898 A AU5644898 A AU 5644898A AU 729507 B2 AU729507 B2 AU 729507B2
AU56448/98A
AU5644898A (en
Noriyasu Sakajira
1997-03-04 Priority to JP9-48627 priority Critical
1997-03-04 Priority to JP09048627A priority patent/JP3120749B2/en
1998-09-10 Publication of AU5644898A publication Critical patent/AU5644898A/en
2001-02-01 Publication of AU729507B2 publication Critical patent/AU729507B2/en
S F Ref: 411715
0* 3*t* S C *5
S. C Name and Address of Applicant: NEC Corporation 7-1, Shiba Minato-ku Tokyo
Noriyasu Sakajira and Keiichi Hayashi. Actual Inventor(s): Address for Service: c Spruson Ferguson, Patent Attorneys Level 33 St Martins Tower, 31 Market Street Sydney, New South Wales, 2000, Australia Removable Memory Device for Portable Terminal Device Invention Title: The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us:- 5845 REMOVABLE MEMORY DEVICE FOR PORTABLE TERMINAL DEVICE Background of the Invention i. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to removable memory devices. In particular, the present invention relates to a removable memory device for a portable terminal device that can be removably connected to such a portable terminal device as, a portable telephone and can 10 store therein ID information, a telephone number list, and o oo so on, etc., inherent in each portable terminal device.
2. Description of the Related Art Such a portable terminal device as a portable 0 0* telephone comprises a memory device which stores therein, 15 for example, such a telephone number list as abbreviated dialing numbers or such individual information as ID 0000information inherent in each portable terminal device, entered by a user. When a user wants to exchange the 0 0 0portable terminal device with another due to user's o000 20 upgrading to a newer device, it is desirable to enable copying of the individual information already stored in the portable terminal device used so far to a new portable terminal device and also to enable use of the new portable terminal device with the same individual information.
Disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. Hei-4-302245 is a system wherein an information memory device for storing information necessary for operation of a radio telephone set, i.e., operation lock/unlock information, radio telephone participation information, or attached function restriction information, private information individual information) such as a telephone number list, as explained in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. Hei-4-30224 5 is made in the form of an ID card or a' chip and the information memory device is arranged to be removably connected to the radio telephone device.
However, the prior art radio telephone device has a S.o* problem that, since anyone can simply remove the information memory device therefrom, when another user 0: removes the information memory device from other's radio telephone device and attaches the information memory 20 device to his or her own radio telephone device, he or she can use it with use of the other's individual information.
0* Summary of the Invention In view of the above, te present invention has been made, and an object at least the preferred embodiments of the present invention is to provide a removable memory device for a portable terminal device which, when a user wants to exchange an old portable terminal device with new one and to use the new portable terminal device with individual information used so far, can reliably shift the individual information, can shorten a time necessary for the information shift to a large extent and can prevent easy illegal use of the individual information of the portable terminal device by others.
With the removable memory device for the portable terminal device in accordance with the present invention, when a user wants to exchange an old ter-minal device with 3new one, the user is required to protect an individual information already stored in the memory device.
*o The removable memory device in accordance with the present invention can be removed from the portable terminal device when a remove command a password) is entered.
Accordingly, in one aspect the present invention provides a memory device removably connectable to a portable terminal device for storing information including information relating to operation of the portable terminal device, the memory device comprising: an input port configured to receive a password when the memory device is to be removed from the portable terminal device; and a control unit configured to protect information within the memory device from erasure after a password has been received by the input port.
In a further aspect, the present invention provides a memory device removably connectable to a portable terminal device, the memory device being configured to store information related to operation of the portable terminal device, the memory device comprising: an input port configured to receive a password when the memory -device is to be removed from the portable terminal device, said password being entered through a computer communicatively connected to the portable terminal device; and an erase unit configured to erase the information within the memory device when the memory device is removed from the portable terminal device without a password having been entered through the computer.
In a further aspect the present invention provides a system for protecting information stored within a memory device removably connected to a portable terminal device, the information relating to operation of the portable terminal device, the system comprising: an input port configured to receive a password when the memory device is to be removed from the portable terminal device; and a control unit configured to protect information within the .memory device from erasure after the password has been received by the input port.
In a further aspect, the present invention provides a system for transferring information stored in a memory device initially coupled to a first portable terminal device, to a second portable terminal device for which said memory device is later to be coupled, the system comprising: a computer configured to place said first portable terminal device in a maintenance mode when said first portable terminal device is coupled to said computer, said first portable terminal device including a data input/output port for receiving a remove command for said memory device when said first portable terminal device is coupled to said computer while in said maintenance mode, a controller configured to accept the remove command and to output a request for a password to be entered via said computer, wherein said controller compares the entered password with a stored password to determine whether there is a coincidence, wherein, if there is a coincidence, said controller protects the information stored in said memory device and informs said computer that said memory device can be removed from said first portable terminal device, and wherein, when said second portable terminal device is coupled to said computer and said memory device is coupled to said second portable terminal device and placed in a connection mode, said controller requests entry of the password via said computer in order to allow said second portable terminal device to access the information stored in said memory device without erasing the information.
In a further aspect, the present invention provides a method for removing a memory device from a portable terminal device, the memory **device being configured to store information related to operation of the portable terminal device, the method comprising the steps of: a) receiving a password when the memory device is to be removed oooo :from the portable terminal device, the password being entered through a computer communicatively connected to the portable terminal device; b) erasing the information within the memory device when the password has not been entered through the computer before the memory device is removed from the portable terminal device.
Brief Description of the Drawings The above-mentioned objects and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, with like reference numerals indicating corresponding parts throughout, and wherein: Figure 1 is a block diagram of a removable memory device in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 2 is a configuration for explaining the shifting operation of individual information of a portable terminal device using the removable memory device in accordance with the present invention.
Figure 3 is a flowchart for explaining the shifting operation of the individual information of the portable terminal device using the removable memory device in accordance with the present invention.
Figure 4 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the removable memory device according to the first embodiment of the present invention when the removable memory device was illegally removed from the portable terminal device.
Figure 5 is a block diagram of a removable memory device and a part of a portable terminal device in accordance with a second embodiment of the present 15 invention.
Figure 6 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the removable memory device according to the second embodiment of the present invention when the removable o .memory device was illegally removed from the portable 20 terminal device.
Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments The present invention will be explained in connection with the drawings. Embodiments of the present invention will then be explained in detail with reference to the 25 drawings. First, a.related system will be discussed.
A removable memory device 1 is made up of a memory for storing individual information therein, a memory manager 6 for protecting the memory when the removable memory device 1 is not connected to a portable terminal device and for allowing access thereto when the removable memory device is connected, a data input/output part 4 as a data sending/receiving port to/from a data input/output part 2 of the portable terminal device, and a controller 3 for detecting an interconnection with the portable terminal device through the data input/output part 4 and for controlling the memory manager 6.
Explanation will next be made as to the shifting operation of the individual information of the portable terminal device using the removable memory device in accordance with the present invention, by referring to Figs. 2 and 3. Fig. 2 is a configuration for explaining the shifting operation of the individual information of the Portable terminal device using the removable memory device in accordance with the present invention, and Fig.
3 is a flowchart for explaining the operation thereof.
Explanation will be made herein as to the shifting operation of the individual information stored in Portable terminal device A in Fig. 2 to a portable terminal device B, by referring to steps to (F-16) in Fig. 3.
First of all, by connecting the portable terminal device A to a personal computer 10, the Portable terminal device A is put in its maintenance mode (step The maintenance mode may either be automatically entered when the portable terminal device A is connected to the *15 Personal computer 10, or the maintenance mode may be entered after a command to enter the maintenance mode is input via the ersonal computer S computer In most systems, a command is required to enter the maintenance mode, but some systems allow for an automatically-entered maintenance when the Portable terminal device A is connected to the personal computer 0.o The Personal computer 10 acts as an information input/output apparatus for inputting commands, etc, to the Portable terminal device or for displaying thereon information received from the Portable terminal device.
In the maintenance mode of the portable terminal device, the portable terminal device can do transactions on various types of maintenances. In the maintenance mode, when it is not associated with the removable memory device, the portable terminal device shifts to various types of maintenance modes (steps (F-16)) In this maintenance mode, next, a maintenance operator selects a removable mode for the removable memory device 1. More specifically, the operator enters a remove command into the portable terminal device A connected to the personal computer 10 (steps and This 9 remove command is accepted by the controller 3 of the removable memory device 1 via the data input/output part 2 of the portable terminal device A and the data input/output part 4 of the removable memory device 1 (refer to Fig. 1) The controller 3, after accepting the remove command, requires a password from the maintenance operator. The maintenance operator, in response to the password request, enters the password (password for the removal) from the personal computer 10 (step When the controller 3 finds a password coincidence between the operator-entered password and a password stored in the removable memory device 1 (step the controller 3 issues to the memory manager 6 a command to protect the memory 5 (step 15 In the step when the maintenance operator O o removes the removable memory device 1 from the portable terminal device A without finding a password coincidence D in the controller 3, the contents stored in the memory is erased and the memory 5 is initialized. The removable memory device 1 may be removed from the pprtable terminal device A without erasing the contents stored in the memory In this case, as described later, when the portable ~terminal device B mounted the removable memory device 1 is :..connected to the personal computer 10, the contents stored in the memory 5. Thepassword stored in the removable memory device 1 is typically only changeable by a user o with system privileges or the like, and cannot be changed by a normal user. This password may be stored in the removable memory device (either in the controller 3 or the memory 5) during manufacture of the removable memory device 1, for example.
The memory manager 6, when receiving the instruction, protects the memory 5 and then issues a notification of completion of the memory protection to the controller 3 (step The controller 3, when receiving the notification, informs the personal computer 10 that the portable terminal device A is removable from the personal i0 computer 10 via the portable terminal device A (step (F- The personal computer 10, when receiving the removable notification, informs the maintenance operator to remove the portable terminal device A from the personal computer 10 and to remove the removable memory device 1 from the portable terminal device A.
The maintenance operator, after receiving the removal notice by means of the personal computer 10, removes the removable memory device 1 from the portable terminal device A (step mounts the removable memory device 1 into the portable terminal device B with protecting the contents stored in the memory 5, connects the portable terminal device B to the personal computer 10, selects a connection mode of the removable memory device 1 from the 15 maintenance mode and then enters on the personal computer 10 a connect command to the portable terminal .device B (steps and SEven when the controller 3 receives this connect ~command, as in the remove command explained previously, 20 the controller 3 demands the password of the maintenance operator (step When the controller 3 finds a coincidence of the password entered by the maintenance ego• operator (step the controller issues a memory release instruction to the memory manager 6 (step (F-12)) oo In the step when the maintenance operator removes the removable memory device 1 from the portable terminal -oeo device A without finding a password coincidence in the controller 3, the contents stored in the memory 5 is erased and the memory 5 is initialized.
This instruction causes the memory manager 6 to release the memory 5 and to inform the controller 3 of completion of the memory release (step The controller 3, after receiving the notification, informs the personal computer 10 of completion of the connection of the removable memory device 1 via the portable terminal device B (step Thereafter, the maintenance operator. is permitted to separate the portable terminal device B from the personal computer 10. After the portable terminal device B is separated from the personal computer 10, the operator can use the portable terminal device B (step Explanation will then be made as to the operation of the removable memory device 1 according to the first embodiment when the operator removes the removable memory device 1 from the portable terminal device without following the above procedure, by referring to a flowchart of Fig. 4.
The controller 3, when confirming a connection of the portable terminal device through the data input/output part 4 (step and the memory protection is not carried out (step and the memory 5 is not newly mounted (step (that is, when incorrect removal is carried out), issues a memory erase instruction to the memory manager 6. The memory manager 6, when receiving the memory erase instruction, completes erasing of the contents stored in the memory 5 and then informs the 20 controller 3 of completion of the memory erase. The controller 3, after receiving the notification, newly utilizes the memory 5 (step In the step when the memory protection is carried out, the contents stored in the memory 5 is not erased even if the maintenance operator removes the removable memory device 1 from the portable terminal device A. In the step when the memory 5 is newly mounted, the memory 5 is initialized.
As has been explained in the foregoing, the removable memory device in accordance with the present invention is arranged so that an operator is required to enter the 0
remove command (password) after connected from the Personal computer and at the time of connection, operator's input of the connect command (password) from the personal computer causes the memory to be released.
This enables the memory having the individual information already stored therein to be protected, so that illegal access can be prevented and shift of the individual information can be easily realized even at the time of exchange between portable terminal devices.
A second embodiment of the invention is shown in Fig.
In that figure, the controller 3' is provided in the portable terminal device which is external to the remote memory device Fig. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the operation according to the second 15 embodiment. In Fig. 6, when the removable memory device i' is disconnected from a portable terminal device A' and so then later reconnected to the same portable terminal o device A' or to another portable terminal device (step S- and the memory 5 is not protected (step and the memory 5 is not newly mounted (step the controller 3' issues a command to the memory manager 6 to erase the contents stored in the memory 5 if the memory 5 is not protected. After a non-protected memory 5 has been erased, the memory manager 6 informs the controller 3' of completion of the memory erase (via the data input output part 4 of the removable memory device 1' and the data input/output part 2 of the portable terminal device
The controller after receiving the notification, newly utilizes the memory 5 (step S-8) Thus, in the second embodiment, the memory 5 is not immediately eras-ed under command of a controller 3 external to the removable memory device 1' after disconnection of a removable memory device I' from a portable terminal device in which the removable memory device has a non-new, non-orotected memory (as in the first embodiment), but instead the erasure is performed by a controller 3' external to the removable memory device 1' at a time when the removable '3 memory device 1' is reconnected to a portable terminal device A' (having a controller 3' housed therein). In an alternative embodiment, the controller is housed in the personal computer While embodiments have been described herein, modification of the described embodiments may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art, following the teachings of the invention, without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. For example, other ways of disabling the removable memory device may be contemplated while remaining within the teachings of the invention, such as, for example, disabling the data input/output part 4 or the memory manager 6, and not erasing the memory 5. For the data input/output part, this would require a control signal (not shown in Fig. 1) from the controller 3 to the data input/output part 4, where that control signal would disable the data input/output part S4.
Further, in the embodiments of the invention, a maintenance operator enters "0 15 commands, a password, and so on, from a personal computer 10. However, the maintenance operator may be able to enter them from a portable terminal device A.
:oMoreover, in the embodiments of this invention, the maintenance operator 000 0: enters commands, a password, and so on, but a user of a portable terminal device A may be able to enter them.
The description of the invention with reference to the drawings is by way of @0example only.
00. A removable memory device includes a memory for storing individual 0.
25 information therein, a memory manager for protecting the memory when the removable memory device is not connected to a portable terminal device and for allowing access thereto when the removable memory device is connected, a data sending/receiving part for sending/receiving data to/from a data input/output part of the portable terminal device via an input/output port, and a controller for detecting an interconnection with the portable terminal device through the data input/output part and for controlling the memory manager. The removable memory device protects the individual information stored within it from being illegally used.
2. A memory device as set forth in Claim i, wherein said password is entered in response to a request output through an information input/output device connectable to said portable terminal device, and wherein said password is received by said control unit through said information input/output device. 0e eo :o 3. A memory device as set forth in Claim 2, wherein said information input/output device is a personal computer.
4. A memory device as set forth in Claim 1, wherein, when said sees o o memory device is separated from said portable terminal device without having received said password, the information stored within said memory device is erased. OS s
5. A memory device as set forth in Claim 1, wherein, when said memory device is connected to said portable terminal device without having received said password, said memory device prohibits operation of said portable terminal device using the information stored within said memory device.
6. A memory device as set forth in Claim 2, wherein said information input/output device includes a said control unit.
7. A memory device as set forth in Claim 1, wherein said portable termihal device includes a said control unit.
8. A memory device removably connectable to a portable terminal device, the memory device being configured to store information related to operation of the portable terminal device, the memory device comprising: an input port configured to receive a password when the memory device is to be removed from the portable terminal device, said password being entered through a computer communicatively connected to the portable terminal device; and an erase unit configured to erase the information within the memory device when the memory device is removed from the portable terminal device without a password having been entered through the computer. oooo a. a
9. A memory device as set forth in Claim 8, wherein, when the password is entered through the computer, the memory device is allowed to be removed from the portable terminal device without erasure of any of the information stored within the memory device. A system for protecting information stored within a memory device removably connected to a portable terminal device, the information relating to operation of the portable terminal device, the system comprising: an input port configured to receive a password when the memory device is to be removed from the portable terminal device; and a control unit configured to protect information within the memory device from erasure after the password has been received by the input port.
11. A system as set forth in Claim 10, wherein said control unit is included in said memory device. Ib
12. A system as set forth in Claim 10, wherein said control unit is included in said portable terminal device.
13. A system for transferring information stored in a memory device initially coupled to a first portable terminal device, to a second portable terminal device for which said memory device is later to be coupled, the system comprising: a computer configured to place said first portable terminal device in a maintenance mode when said first portable terminal device is coupled to said computer, said first portable terminal device including a data input/output port for receiving a remove command for said memory device when said first portable terminal device is coupled to said computer while in said maintenance mode, a controller configured to accept the remove command and to output a request for a password to be entered via said computer, wherein said controller compares the entered password with a stored password to determine whether there is a coincidence, wherein, if there is a coincidence, said controller protects the information stored in said memory device and informs said computer that said memory device can be removed from said first portable terminal device, and wherein, when said second portable terminal device is coupled to said computer and said memory device is coupled to said second portable S• terminal device and placed in a connection mode, said controller requests entry of the password via said computer in order to allow said second portable terminal device to access the information stored in said memory device without erasing the information.
14. A system as set forth in Claim 13, wherein said controller is included in said memory device. A system as set forth in Claim 13, wherein each of said first and second portable terminal devices includes a controller.
16. A method for removing a memory device from a portable terminal device, the memory device being configured to store information related to operation of the portable terminal device, the method comprising the steps of: a) receiving a password when the memory device is to be removed from-the portable terminal device, the password being entered through a computer communicatively connected to the portable terminal device; b) erasing the information within the memory device when the password has not been entered through the computer before the memory device is removed from the portable terminal device.
17. A method as set forth in Claim 16, wherein, when the password has been entered through the computer, the memory device is allowed to be removed from the portable terminal device without erasure ee S: of any of the information stored within the memory device.
18. A memory device, a system or a method substantially as herein described with reference to any of the accompanying drawings. •go• oooo ••go
AU56448/98A 1997-03-04 1998-03-03 Removable memory device for portable terminal device Ceased AU729507B2 (en)
JP09048627A JP3120749B2 (en) 1997-03-04 1997-03-04 Of the mobile terminal device removable storage device
AU5644898A AU5644898A (en) 1998-09-10
AU729507B2 true AU729507B2 (en) 2001-02-01
AU56448/98A Ceased AU729507B2 (en) 1997-03-04 1998-03-03 Removable memory device for portable terminal device
AU (1) AU729507B2 (en)
JP2003331241A (en) * 2002-05-09 2003-11-21 Fujitsu Ltd Memory device and method of controlling the same
1997-03-04 JP JP09048627A patent/JP3120749B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
1998-03-03 GB GB9804505A patent/GB2325116B/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
1998-03-03 AU AU56448/98A patent/AU729507B2/en not_active Ceased
1998-03-03 US US09/033,613 patent/US6282612B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
1998-03-04 CN CNB981073875A patent/CN1136505C/en not_active IP Right Cessation
CN1202055A (en) 1998-12-16
GB2325116A (en) 1998-11-11
CN1136505C (en) 2004-01-28
GB2325116B (en) 1999-05-12
JPH10247970A (en) 1998-09-14
US6282612B1 (en) 2001-08-28
US20010016895A1 (en) 2001-08-23
GB9804505D0 (en) 1998-04-29
JP3120749B2 (en) 2000-12-25
AU5644898A (en) 1998-09-10
EP1363284A1 (en) 2003-11-19 Computer program copy management system
JP3994518B2 (en) 2007-10-24 Data delivery device and the data distribution of the terminal device
CA2223565A1 (en) 1996-12-19 System and method for access control for data storage media
KR20000029675A (en) 2000-05-25 Method and apparatus for establishing activation date for a cellular telephone
KR20030022802A (en) 2003-03-17 Content providing method, content providing server, and client terminal in a content providing infrastructure