Memory Card Write Protection Across Driver Protocol Switching

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing mechanisms for secure digital (SD) cards may not provide a write-protection function if the mechanical switch is in the lock position but is not recognized by the computer system's driver.

Innovation Solution

A data access control method that detects the communication protocol version of the SD card, stores an access protection setting using a first driver for the first protocol version, unmounts the first driver, and sets the disk attribute in the operating system using a disk configuration service to ensure write-protection is maintained even if the second driver does not recognize the mechanical switch position.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the computer system uses a second driver for higher communication protocol versions, then communication compatibility and speed are improved, but the write-protection function cannot be recognized because the second driver does not detect the mechanical switch position

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication protocol compatibilityVSAvoidwrite-protection function

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary detection of the mechanical switch position using the first driver before unmounting it. The access protection setting is stored in the registry during this preliminary phase, ensuring that write-protection information is preserved even after the first driver is removed and the second driver takes over.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The registry acts as an intermediary that bridges the first driver and the second driver. The first driver writes the access protection setting to the registry, and the second driver reads this setting from the registry to apply write-protection, thus transferring critical information between the two drivers without requiring the second driver to directly detect the mechanical switch.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Speed

If the first driver is unmounted to use the second driver, then communication protocol performance is improved, but the access protection setting is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication protocol speedVSAvoidaccess protection setting

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

Before unmounting the first driver, the system performs a preliminary action of storing the access protection setting in the registry. This ensures that the critical write-protection information is saved before the driver that can detect it is removed, preventing information loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The access protection setting is copied from the first driver's detection to the registry storage. Instead of relying on the first driver to remain mounted, the information is copied to a persistent location (registry) that can be accessed by subsequent drivers, ensuring information preservation across driver transitions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Device complexity

If the mechanical switch position is not recognized by the driver, then device complexity is reduced, but the write-protection function fails

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedriver recognition mechanismVSAvoidwrite-protection function

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The registry serves as an intermediary that decouples the mechanical switch detection from the driver that manages write-protection. The first driver detects the switch position and stores this information in the registry, allowing the second driver to enforce write-protection without directly detecting the mechanical switch, thus reducing complexity while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces the mechanical detection mechanism (direct switch position recognition by the driver) with a software-based registry system. Instead of requiring the second driver to mechanically detect the switch position, the system uses registry entries to represent the protection state, substituting a simpler software mechanism for a complex hardware-detection requirement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS12608312B2Data access control method of memory card and computer system

Publication Date: 2026.04.21 GENESYS LOGIC INC

AI summary

A data access control method of a memory card and a computer system are provided. The computer system detects whether a memory card supports a first communication protocol version and a second communication protocol version. When the memory card supports the second communication protocol version, a access protection setting of the memory card is stored according to the first communication protocol version through a first driver. The access protection setting is used to restrict access to the memory card. The computer system unmounts the first driver. A disk corresponding to the memory card is set in an operating system of the computer system according to the access protection setting through a disk configuration service in 10 the computer system. The disk configuration service runs on the operating system, and the disk is configured with the access protection setting.