Encrypted USB Flash Disk With Hidden-Area Compact Disc Mapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing USB flash disks lack secure data storage and transfer mechanisms, particularly for important data, which are vulnerable to theft during copying and cannot function as compact disks due to the absence of CD-ROM drives in modern computers.
Innovation Solution
A crypto USB flash disk system with a memory chip and dongle chip that encrypts and decrypts data, maps a hidden area as a compact disk, and includes drive software to manage operations, ensuring secure data storage and transfer while functioning as a compact disk.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If important data is stored in the hidden area of a common USB flash disk, then the data is hidden from view, but the data is vulnerable to theft during copying operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical copying process with cryptographic operations. Instead of physically copying data sectors, the system uses encryption/decryption algorithms to transform data. The dongle chip contains security credentials that authenticate and decrypt data on-the-fly, substituting the vulnerable mechanical copy operation with a secure cryptographic verification process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a dongle chip as an intermediary between the USB flash disk and the host system. This intermediary contains security credentials and cryptographic keys, acting as a mediator that verifies authenticity and enables secure data access. The dongle chip mediates all data operations, preventing direct access to the hidden area and eliminating the vulnerability of traditional copying methods.
2Reliability
If a USB flash disk is designed with encryption functionality, then data security is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional hardware and software components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the dongle chip a multi-functional component that serves multiple purposes: it acts as a security credential storage device, a cryptographic processing unit, an authentication server, and a data gateway. By consolidating these functions into a single intermediary device, the system achieves strong security without proportionally increasing overall complexity, as one component performs multiple critical roles.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the USB flash disk maps hidden area as compact disk, then compatibility with systems without CD-ROM drives is improved, but the device must maintain dual functionality increasing operational complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic functionality where the USB flash disk can switch between different operational modes. The hidden area can be dynamically mapped as a compact disk when needed, while maintaining its encrypted storage functionality. The system adapts its behavior based on the operational context, allowing it to function as both a secure storage device and a CD-compatible device without requiring separate physical units.
Data Source
AI summary
An implementation method for an encrypted USB flash disk system. A virtual drive letter is bound to an device object and then mapped; driver software wafts for an operation of an operating system on the device object; the driver software determines, according to the operation of the operating system on different device objects, the type of a received instruction; if the received instruction is a reading instruction, the driver software maps a read address in a storage chip according to a first address in the reading instruction, reads data, and calls an encryption lock chip to decrypt the read data to obtain decrypted read data; and if the received instruction is a writing instruction, the driver software calls the encryption lock chip to encrypt data to be written to obtain encrypted write data, maps a write address in the storage chip according to a second address in the writing instruction, and writes the encrypted write data or refuses the operation. The present invention can encrypt and store data and decrypt and read data, thereby ensuring the safety of data reading and writing, and can also use the encrypted USB flash disk as an optical disk for data reading and writing.