Device and method for controlling usage of a memory card

Abstract

A memory card includes a memory for storing data and a controller that is operative to control access to storage of at least a portion of storage conditional upon an authorization of a corresponding identity card of a service provider. A storage system includes an identity card of a service provider and a memory card, wherein the identity card corresponds to the memory card, and wherein access to storage of at least a portion of the memory card is controlled conditional upon an authorization from only this corresponding identity card. A method of doing business includes equipping a mobile phone with an identity card that corresponds to a memory card, configuring the memory card to operate conditional on an authorization from this corresponding secured card, and then offering the mobile phone and the memory card for sale at a discount.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the invention with regard to the embodiments thereof, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which like numerals designate corresponding sections or elements throughout, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a memory card of the present invention;

FIG. 2 shows an attribute word that is assigned to each partition of storage unit of the memory card of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a flow chart of a method of the present invention applied by a service provider for initializing the memory card of FIG. 1 with a compatible SIM card;

FIG. 4 is a flow chart of a method of the present invention for operating the memory card of the present invention within a mobile phone that is assigned by the MNO to a user;

FIG. 5A is a schematic illustration of a manner of operating the memory card of the present invention when inserted to a mobile phone, according to a first mode of operation; and

FIG. 5B is a schematic illustration of a manner of operating the memory card of the present invention when installed within an Internet-enabled host (such as a PC), according to a second mode of operation.

Claims

1. A memory card comprising: (a) a memory for storing data; and(b) a controller that is operative to control access to storage of at least a portion of said memory, conditional upon an authorization from a corresponding identity card of a service provider.

2. The memory card of claim 1, wherein said identity card is a SIM card.

3. The memory card of claim 1, wherein said identity card is a RUIM card.

4. The memory card of claim 1, wherein said service provider is a Mobile Network Operator.

5. The memory card of claim 1, wherein said controller is operative to control said access to said at least portion of said memory according to a user profile defined by said service provider.

6. The memory card of claim 5, wherein the memory card is configured for updating of said user profile by said service provider via wireless communication.

7. The memory card of claim 5, wherein the memory card is configured for updating of said user profile by said service provider via wired communication.

8. The memory card of claim 1, wherein said storage includes at least one partition, such that said control of said access is limited to said at least one partition.

9. The memory card of claim 1, wherein said control of said access includes granting only read access.

10. The memory card of claim 1, wherein said control of said access includes controlling write operations.

11. The memory card of claim 1, wherein said control of said access includes granting both read access and write access.

12. The memory card of claim 1, wherein said authorization is effected in response to connecting the memory card and corresponding said identity card to a common host.

13. The memory card of claim 1, wherein said host is a mobile phone.

14. The memory card of claim 1, wherein said authorization is effected in response to connecting the memory card to a network device.

15. The memory card of claim 14, wherein said network device includes a mobile phone.

16. A method of controlling operation of a memory card, the method comprising the steps of: (a) providing an identity card, of a service provider, that corresponds to the memory card; and(b) controlling access to storage of at least a portion of the memory card conditional on an authorization from said corresponding identity card of said service provider.

17. The method of claim 16 further comprising the step of: (c) assigning the memory card a user profile, by said service provider, such that said controlling access is effected according to said user profile.

18. The method of claim 17 further comprising the step of: (d) updating said user profile, by said service provider.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein said updating is effected via wireless communication.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein said updating is effected via wired communication.

21. The method of claim 16, wherein said storage includes at least one partition, such that said controlling of said access is limited to said at least one partition.

22. The method of claim 16, wherein said controlling said access includes the step of authenticating the memory card to said corresponding identity card.

23. The method of claim 16, wherein said controlling said access includes granting only read access.

24. The method of claim 16, wherein said controlling said access includes controlling write operations.

25. The method of claim 16, wherein said controlling said access includes granting both read access and write access.

26. The method of claim 16, wherein said authorization is effected in response to connecting the memory card and said corresponding identity card to a common host.

27. The method of claim 16, wherein said authorization is effected in response to connecting the memory card to a network device.

28. A storage system comprising: (a) an identity card of a service provider; and(b) a memory card, wherein said identity card corresponds to said memory card, said memory card including: (i) a memory for storing data; and(ii) a controller that is operative to control access to storage of at least a portion of said memory, conditional upon an authorization from said corresponding identity card of said service provider.

29. The system of claim 28 further comprising: (c) at least one network device, wherein said authorization is effected in response to connecting each of said memory card and said identity card to said at least one network device.

30. The system of claim 29, wherein said at least one network device includes a mobile phone.

31. A method of doing business comprising the steps of: (a) equipping a mobile phone with an identity card that corresponds to a memory card;(b) configuring said memory card to operate conditional on an authorization from said corresponding identity card; and(c) offering said mobile phone and said memory card for sale at a discount.