Information storage device

Abstract

This encryption magnetic disk device can use a user password and a manufacture password as access restriction passwords. An encoding processing unit can encrypt user data, and a decoding processing unit can decrypt the encrypted user data. When its lock is canceled by a user password, the encryption magnetic disk device outputs the user data in a plain text. When its lock is canceled by a manufacturer password, the encryption magnetic disk device encrypts and outputs user data.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 typically shows the basic operating principle of the magnetic disk device of the present invention in the case where data stored in a user using area is encrypted.

FIG. 2 typically shows the basic operating principle of the magnetic disk device of the present invention in the case where data stored in a user using area is plain text.

FIG. 3 shows the process from the manufacture/shipment of the encryption magnetic disk device, which is the preferred embodiment of the present invention, to the inspection/repair of its failure.

FIG. 4 shows the system configuration of a computer used by the user shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 shows the hardware configuration of the encryption magnetic disk device shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 shows the format of a magnetic disk built in the encryption magnetic disk device shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 shows the configuration of the main part of the information processing unit of the present invention provided on the manufacturer side.

FIG. 8 shows an example of the structure of the manufacturer password DB shown in FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the procedure until a manufacturer ships an encryption magnetic disk device after manufacturing it.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the process procedure of the user of the encryption magnetic disk device of the preferred embodiment registering its user password in the encryption magnetic disk device.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the process procedure of a user using the encryption magnetic disk device of the preferred embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing process procedure of a manufacturer inspecting and repairing a magnetic disk device when requested by a user.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the password registration process of the encryption magnetic disk device of this preferred embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the access receiving process after the password registration of the encryption magnetic disk device of this preferred embodiment.

Claims

1. An information storage device capable of restricting an access to recorded data by setting a password, comprising: a manufacturer password storage unit for storing manufacturer passwords;a user password storage unit for storing user passwords;a user password registration unit for recording inputted user passwords in the user password storage unit; anda user data output unit for outputting user data recorded in a record medium in a cryptogram when an inputted password coincides with a manufacturer password stored in the manufacturer password storage unit and outputting user data recorded in the record medium in a plain text when an inputted password is recorded in the user password storage unit.

2. The information storage device according to claim 1, wherein the manufacturer password storage unit and user password storage unit are provided in the same storage medium.

3. The information storage device according to claim 2, wherein the storage medium in claim 2 is the record medium as in claim 1.

4. The information storage device according to claim 1, wherein the manufacturer password storage unit and user password storage unit are provided in separate storage media.

5. The information storage device according to claim 1, wherein the encryption key is recorded in the record medium.

6. The information storage device according to claim 1, wherein the manufacturing password, the user password and the encryption key are recorded in a specific area of the record medium.

7. The information storage device according to claim 6, wherein the specific area is area for recording firmware of the record medium.

8. The information storage device according to claim 1, further comprising an encryption key storage unit for storing encryption key,

9. The information storage device according to claim 8, further comprising an encrypting record unit for encrypting user data, using an encryption key stored in the encryption key storage unit and recording it in the record medium.

10. The information storage device according to claim 1, further comprising an encrypting record unit for encrypting user data, using a first encryption key,

11. The information storage device according to claim 10, wherein the first and second encryption keys are the same.

12. The information storage device according to claim 11, wherein both the first and second encryption keys are recorded in the record medium.

13. The information storage device according to claim 1, further comprising an encryption key storage unit for storing encryption key,

14. The information storage device according to claim 13, further comprising an encrypting record unit for encrypting user data using an encryption key stored in the encryption key storage unit and recording it in the record unit.

15. The information storage device according to claim 1, wherein the user data outputting unit comprises an encrypting processing unit for encrypting user data recorded in the record medium, using an encryption key externally inputted; anda decrypting processing unit for decrypting encrypted user data recorded in a record medium into a plain text, using the encryption key.

16. The information storage device according to claim 15, further comprising an encrypting record unit for encrypting user data, using an encryption key stored in the encryption key storage unit and recording it in the record medium.

17. The information storage device according to claim 1, further comprising a manufacturer password recording unit for recording a manufacturer password in the record medium.

18. The information storage device according to claim 1, wherein the manufacturer password is registered in a database possessed by a manufacturer manufacturing the information storage device.

19. The information storage device according to claim 18, wherein each manufacturer password is related to each information storage device and is managed in the database.

20. The information storage device according to claim 18, wherein each manufacturer password is related to each model of an information storage device and is managed in the database.