Patent ID: 7324667

Claim:
A data converter comprising: a data conversion unit configured to encrypt data originating in an external device and return the encrypted originated data back to the same external device to be stored therein, and when decrypting the stored encrypted originated data, the stored encrypted originated data is transmitted from the same external device to the data conversion unit to be decrypted and then the decrypted data is returned back to the same external device to be read; a lock system configured to lock a data conversion function of said data conversion unit in a disabled state after a passage of a predetermined period of time so as to prevent said data conversion unit from encrypting and decrypting the data; a lock release system configured to release the lock on the data conversion function set by said lock system so that the data conversion function is set in an enabled state; and a time setting unit that enables a user of the data converter to change the period of time for the lock system in accordance with the user's operation environment, wherein the data converter includes a connector part configured to directly connect to and disconnect from a slot part of the external device, the data converter insertably connecting to and disconnecting from the external device so as to allow data exchange between the data converter and the external device.