Method for unlocking mobile memory device

The present invention relates to a method of unlocking (ie, unlocking) a portable memory device such as a USB flash drive or flash memory card via an electronic network, especially the Internet.

Portable memory devices such as USB flash drives and flash memory cards often have a small slide button to lock / unlock the flash memory. This type of mechanical means is inflexible and increases costs.

<p> The present invention aims to mitigate, or at least mitigate, this type of drawback by introducing a novel method of unlocking a portable memory device.</p>

<p> According to the present invention Supplying a portable memory device whose available memory space is initially locked for use, Connecting the above portable memory device to a network access device, Executing the control program by the above network access device, Accessing a specific website using the network access device by executing the control program, Doing specific work on the above website, Receive an unlock code from the above website when the above work is completed, Unlocking the available memory space of the portable memory device using the unlock code by executing the control program. A method of unlocking a portable memory device is provided.</p><p> Preferably, the method includes, in the initial state, write-protecting the portable memory device in order to lock its available memory space for use.</p><p> In the above method, the memory space of the portable memory device is divided into a first partition for storing the control program and a second partition as the usable memory space locked for use in the initial state. It is preferable to include storing the control program in the first section.</p><p> Preferably, the method authenticates the portable memory device through execution of the control program by referring to the device code stored in the portable memory device, and if the authentication fails. This includes terminating the execution of the control program without accessing the website.</p><p> The method also checks through the execution of the control program to see if the available memory space of the portable memory device has already been unlocked, and if so, that is, unlocked. If so, it is preferable to include terminating the execution of the control program without accessing the website.</p><p> In a preferred embodiment, the method comprises changing the register code of the flash controller of the portable memory device in order to unlock the portable memory device.</p><p> Preferably, the method comprises hosting the website.</p>

<figref num="1">It is an operation flowchart which illustrates various steps of embodiment of the method of unlocking the portable memory device which concerns on this invention.</figref>

With reference to FIG. 1, a method of unlocking a portable memory device embodying the present invention is illustrated. The portable memory device is, for example, a USB flash drive (or a flash memory card such as an SD or CF card). The method primarily relates to unlocking the USB flash drive, especially its memory storage space, via the Internet using a website.

The storage space of the USB flash drive is preferably two compartments, i.e. a first compartment of a relatively small size (eg, a few KB to several MB) and a relatively large size (eg, about). It is divided into a second section (1GB ~ 32GB). The large second partition represents the main storage area or space for digital content and the like, while the smaller first partition is primarily dedicated to monitoring and / or managing the availability of the main storage space. Provided to store the control program.

The first section can be configured as a virtual CD-ROM, etc., and the control program stored in it is automatically inserted when the USB flash drive is (first) plugged into a PC or laptop. It may be executed as a target.

The read / write protection status or setting of the flash memory is controlled by some register codes in the flash controller (IC) of the above USB flash drive (or flash memory card or the like). These register codes can then be controlled or modified by a program or software, but this is rarely done for that purpose.

By adjusting the register code inside the flash controller, the default factory setting of the USB flash drive is set to the write-protect mode, so that the second partition is initially locked, and the above The main storage space is designed so that no data is written to it (or both read and write are prohibited in read / write-protected mode).

The device ID or code (for example, serial number) for device authentication can be stored in the first partition (or the second partition that can be read in the initial state).

When the USB flash drive is first plugged into the computer, the user is prevented from using the main storage space, especially writing data to the main storage space. What is required of a user to unlock or unlock a storage space is to perform a particular assigned action or task by accessing a host website over the Internet. This is started by a control program pre-installed on the USB flash drive. The program is then automatically executed by the computer when the USB flash drive is plugged in.

By the way, the USB flash drive can be provided with printed instructions outlining the steps, especially the actions or tasks that need to be performed online, to unlock the storage space. And, as an example, the control program automatically pops up an internet browser and is a member or VIP through a (hosted) website hosted by the web server of the company that supplies the USB flash drive. Guide users to register.

When the work is completed successfully, the website server returns the unlock code (or cookie or file, etc.) to the user's computer. The control program then checks the validity of the received code. If the code is approved by the control program, the storage space of the USB flash drive is immediately unlocked, for example by disabling write protection or write protection, and is therefore available for any use by the user. Will be.

Once the main storage space of the USB flash drive is unlocked, write protection is disabled and a flag or register (general purpose, programmable) in the USB flash drive controller will indicate the state of the storage space. Can be set. This flag or register can be used to terminate or stop the control program each time the USB flash drive is used again on the same or other computer device. Therefore, it is only necessary to unlock the storage space once. Since the storage space has already been unlocked, the unlock code received may be stored on the USB flash drive after approval or may simply be deleted.

Unlocking procedures with related communication are done via the Internet.

A control program or related software for running the unlock procedure can be incorporated into the above-mentioned third-party software so that the third-party software can obtain the unlock code via the Internet. This method is substantially the same as the unlock procedure of the present invention. However, the unlocking software is stored in a different partition or external location (ie, outside the portable memory device).

FIG. 1 is an operation flowchart illustrating various steps of the unlocking method of the present invention.

At Start [Step 10], plug the USB flash drive into your computer [Step 20] and the control program in the first compartment will run automatically to verify that the USB flash drive is a device from a proprietary resource. Find and compare the embedded serial numbers [step 30]. If the serial number is absent or incorrect, the control program terminates or ends immediately ([step 80]). When the USB flash drive is authenticated, the control program checks to see if the second partition (ie, main storage space) is locked or unlocked [step 40]. During this time, the control program tracks the arrival of unlock cookies or codes from the Internet in the OS background.

If the second partition is locked, the control program launches an internet browser in the system to perform the assigned (ie, specified) action on a particular website (memory unlock of the invention). Guide the user to the one that activates the method) [step 50]. On the other hand, if the USB flash drive was previously unlocked, the control program exits immediately [step 80].

With respect to the assigned action, the user may be directed to register a member or VIP using the website, for example, by following certain on-screen instructions. The relationship hosting web server issues an unlock cookie or code to the user's computer when the assigned action is successfully completed [step 60]. Otherwise, the request for action (eg user registration) is retained.

The control program continues to monitor feedback from the website (ie unlocked cookies / code) to ensure that the user has properly accomplished the assigned task. If yes, the control program unlocks the write-protected main storage area of the USB flash drive [step 70].

In certain embodiments, the unlock cookie comprises a file and an unlock code within the file. When the cookie arrives, the control program first checks the name of the file. If the name is correct, the control program is willing to compare the unlock code in the cookie file with the unlock code preset in the program. If the two codes match, the control program adjusts the register code in the flash controller of the USB flash drive to unlock its main storage space. Once unlocked, the USB flash drive is free to use (read and write data) like a regular drive.

The method described here provides online unlocking of a USB flash drive (or flash memory card or generally portable memory device) using embedded software (ie the control program above) through communication with a dedicated website. Is what you do.

The hosting website decides what action the user should take, especially entering data, before issuing the unlock code. This builds an online platform. It can provide a wide variety of services and products that involve or require the collection and / or update of data and information. Promotional information may be posted on the website or delivered to users.

Since the hosting company will run its business using the website as an online platform, the hosting company will supply the relevant USB drive to its potential customers. A specific example will be described below.

Temporary staffing companies need to keep updating the database so that the job seeker's CV (CV) in the database is up to date. It is necessary for the staffing agency to encourage applicants / applicants to register and / or update their resumes online on the website immediately or on a regular basis as needed. Traditionally, their promotion is through online advertising banners, emails and magazines. USB drives (or flash memory cards, etc.) according to the invention provide a whole new opportunity for them to effectively encourage job seeker registration and drive. Both staffing agencies and registrants will benefit from this scheme. The USB drive may be preloaded with digital content (eg, music, video, games and software to unlock after registration / update) to increase customer attraction.

This concept also applies to companies doing e-business or online game platforms.

The present invention enables software unlocking of portable memory devices. Unlock programs are capable of cross-platform operations and can communicate with third-party software or programs. The software can also communicate with website platforms or programming. Thereby, the software allows remote unlocking of portable memory devices via the Internet or any other similar electronic network.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, various modifications and changes thereof can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention described in the claims.