USB Key Multi-User Access Virtual Drive Segmentation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current data storage devices, such as USB flash drives, cannot securely allow multiple users to share the same device with different authentication parameters, limiting their usefulness as each user needs their own device for secure information storage and sharing.
Innovation Solution
A method is implemented where a USB key recognizes different computing devices and creates user accounts associated with each device, allowing users to upload and access data securely, with options for sharing data with other users and configuring access rights, enabling multiple users to share a single USB key securely.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single USB key is used for data storage, then data portability is improved, but multiple users cannot securely store information with different authentication parameters
Solution Approach 1:
The USB key's storage space is segmented into multiple virtual drives, each assigned to a specific user. When a user inserts the USB key, the system automatically presents only that user's virtual drive, ensuring data isolation and security while allowing multiple users to share the same physical device.
Solution Approach 2:
A controller acts as an intermediary between the USB key's storage medium and multiple computing devices. The controller manages user authentication, creates virtual drives dynamically, and controls data access permissions, enabling secure multi-user access without requiring separate physical USB keys for each user.
2Ease of operation
If all information on the USB key is made available to any user with authentication, then ease of access is improved, but users cannot securely store information that is selectively shareable with specific users
Solution Approach 1:
The USB key dynamically adapts its interface based on which user is currently accessing it. The controller detects the user's identity and automatically configures the virtual drive environment to show only that user's data and permissions, providing both ease of access and selective sharing capability through dynamic reconfiguration.
Solution Approach 2:
The USB key is designed with multi-functionality to serve multiple users simultaneously. Each user experiences a personalized interface that appears exclusive to them, while the underlying system manages multiple user profiles, authentication credentials, and permission sets, making the single device universally applicable to different users with different access requirements.
3Reliability
If multiple users need secure access with different permissions, then data security is improved, but each user would need their own USB key
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple user environments and authentication systems are merged into a single USB key through virtual drive technology. The controller consolidates multiple user profiles, security credentials, and data sets into one physical device, allowing users to share the USB key securely without requiring individual physical keys for each user.
Data Source
AI summary
A method, data storage device and computer program product for having multiple users share a single data storage device securely. A data storage device, such as a Universal Serial Bus (USB) key, is plugged into a computing device. A USB controller of the USB key recognizes the computing device and creates an account for the user. The created account is associated with the user as well as associated with the computing device. Data uploaded to the USB key by the user is then associated with the created account. Only that user will be able to view that data on his/her computing device (computing device associated with the created account) unless the user indicates to share that data with other users. Such a process may be repeated each time the USB key is plugged into a different computing device thereby creating multiple accounts associated with multiple computing devices and users.