Portable non-volatile data storage device

Abstract

This invention provides a portable non-volatile data storage device, comprising a memory controller, non-volatile memory, a near-field communication tag, and an internal communication interface. The near-field communication tag receives control data from a mobile device via near-field communication, and the internal communication interface transmits the control data to the memory controller. The memory controller verifies the control data; upon successful verification, it switches the data access state of the non-volatile memory from a restricted access state to an allowed access state; otherwise, it maintains the restricted access state.

Claims

1. A portable non-volatile data storage device suitable for near-field communication with a mobile device, comprising: a memory controller; a non-volatile memory coupled to the memory controller; a near-field communication tag for receiving control data from the mobile device via near-field communication; and an internal communication interface coupled between the near-field communication tag and the memory controller for transmitting the control data from the near-field communication tag to the memory controller; wherein, The memory controller is used to verify the control data. When the control data passes the verification, the access state of one of the non-volatile memories is switched from a restricted access state to an allowed access state. When the control data fails the verification, the restricted access state is maintained.

2. The portable non-volatile data storage device as described in claim 1, wherein, In the restricted access state, the memory controller restricts reading data from the non-volatile memory, restricts writing data to the non-volatile memory, or simultaneously restricts reading data from the non-volatile memory and writing data to the non-volatile memory; in the allowed access state, the memory controller allows reading data from the non-volatile memory, allows writing data to the non-volatile memory, or simultaneously allows reading data from the non-volatile memory and writing data to the non-volatile memory.

3. The portable non-volatile data storage device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the near-field communication tag is further used to store specific data and to allow other devices to read the specific data via near-field communication.

4. The portable non-volatile data storage device as described in claim 3, wherein the specific data is written by the mobile device to the near-field communication tag, the near-field communication tag being read by another mobile device so that the other mobile device can perform a preset operation based on the specific data.

5. The portable non-volatile data storage device as described in claim 1, wherein, The internal communication interface includes an inter-circuit bus.

6. The portable non-volatile data storage device as described in claim 1, wherein, The control data contains encrypted control instructions.

7. The portable non-volatile data storage device as described in claim 6, wherein, The memory controller is used to decrypt the encrypted control instruction and examine its contents.

8. The portable non-volatile data storage device as described in claim 1, wherein, The control data includes authentication data corresponding to an authorized association between the mobile device and the portable non-volatile data storage device.

9. The portable non-volatile data storage device as described in claim 8, wherein, During the initial pairing process between the mobile device and the portable non-volatile data storage device, the near-field communication tag is used to receive the authentication information from the mobile device and transmit the authentication information to the memory controller via the internal communication interface.

10. The portable non-volatile data storage device as described in claim 1, wherein, The non-volatile memory includes a protected storage area, and the memory controller restricts data access to the protected storage area in the restricted access state and allows data access to the protected storage area in the allowed access state.

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