Patent Application
20110072503
This invention relates to a method of authentication for memory card and refers particularly, through not exclusively to such a method using a wireless telecommunication-enabled device with a keypad.
In our earlier application there is disclosed a memory card having wireless capability for use in digital cameras. For security purposes it is of assistance to have such a memory card with wireless capability being able to be secured. This may be by use of a user name and/or authentication code, or other similar code system. However, a digital camera needs a keypad to be able to insert such a code.
It is therefore desirable to have a method of being able to insert such a code for authentication or like purposes.
According to an exemplary aspect there is provided a method of authentication for a memory card. The method comprises using a wireless-enabled mobile telecommunication-enabled apparatus to wirelessly and directly detect and connect to the memory card, the memory card being wireless-enabled. A keypad of the wireless-enabled mobile telecommunication-enabled apparatus is used to enter and wirelessly send directly to the memory card at least one of a user name and an authentication code. A processor in the memory card compares the user name and/or authentication code with a stored user name and/or authentication code in the memory card. Upon the processor validating the user name and/or authentication code, the memory card is activated for use.
If the user name and/or authentication code are not correct the memory card may wirelessly send an error message directly to the wireless-enabled mobile telecommunication-enabled apparatus for display on a screen of the wireless-enabled mobile telecommunication-enabled apparatus. Upon receipt of the error message the keypad may be used to re-enter and wirelessly re-send the user name and/or authentication code directly to the memory card. The processor in the memory card may compare the user name and/or authentication code with the stored user name and/or authentication code in the memory card. If the re-sent user name and/or authentication code is again not correct the memory card may be frozen and further actions may not proceed.
The user name may be validated before the authentication code can be entered and wirelessly sent for verification.
The memory card may comprise a non-volatile memory module. The user name and/or authentication code may be required for access to at least one of: the memory module of the memory card, and a wireless module of the memory card. The non-volatile memory module may be partitioned into a plurality of storage areas. The plurality of storage areas may be a public storage area and a private storage area. The private storage area may require the user name and/or authentication code for access. The public area may operate without the user name and/or authentication code.
In order that the invention may be fully understood and readily put into practical effect there will now be described exemplary embodiments incorporating the principle features of the present invention. The description will be by way of exemplification only and will be with reference to the accompanying illustrative drawings.
In the drawings:
To first refer to
Also shown is a mobile telecommunication-enabled apparatus 700 such as a mobile telephone and that has a keypad 702 and a display 704. The mobile telecommunication-enabled apparatus 700 is wireless enabled with an appropriate wireless standard such as, for example, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or the like. Similarly, the memory card 200 is wireless enabled with a similar standard such as, for example, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or the like.
A user name and/or authentication code will have been stored in a non-volatile memory within the card 200 to enable the operation of the card 200. This may be done by removing the card 200 from the digital camera 100 and inserting the card 200 in the relevant port or slot of a computer so that the user name and/or authentication code can be entered using the computer keyboard or other peripheral device (e.g. a microphone and voice recognition). This may also be subsequently used for verification of the user name and/or authentication code. The user name and/or authentication code may be required for access to the memory of the card 200 and/or for the wireless connectivity system of the card 200.
Furthermore, the card 200 may be able to be partitioned into a number of storage areas including, but not limited to, a public storage area and a private storage area. The private storage area would require user name and/or authentication code for access. The public area could operate normally without the user name and/or authentication code.
The mobile telecommunication-enabled apparatus 700 is able to wirelessly directly detect and directly connect to the card 200. As such the keypad 702 is able to be used to enter user names, authentication codes, activation codes, and the like, for the memory card 200 that can be sent by the telecommunication-enabled apparatus 700 both wirelessly and directly to the memory card 200. By directly it is meant that no network is required for the communication between the telecommunication-enabled apparatus 700 and the memory card 200.
The methodology is shown in
If the user name is correct at (23) the keypad 702 is used to enter and the telecommunication-enabled apparatus 700 wirelessly sends an authentication code (25) directly to the card 200. Again, a query raised (26) and the processor 204 makes a determination on the correctness of the authentication code by reference to a stored authentication code in the memory card 200 to determine if the authentication code is correct. If it is not correct, a further error message may be wirelessly sent (27) directly to and received by the telecommunication-enabled apparatus 700 for display on the screen 704. The authentication code can then be re-entered (25) and wirelessly resent directly to the memory card 200. Again, after prescribed number of unsuccessful repeats of this process the card 200 will be frozen and no more authentication codes will be considered until it is “unfrozen” as described above.
If the authentication code is correct (26) the card 200 is then activated (28) and can operate as is described in our earlier application.
In one exemplary aspect, the user name must be validated before the authentication code can be entered and wirelessly sent to the memory card 200 for verification.
Whilst the foregoing description has described exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the technology concerned that many variations in details of design, construction and/or operation may be made without departing from the present invention.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008-000327 | Sep 2008 | SG | national |
Reference is made to our co-pending international patent application PCT/SG2008/000237entitled “Method and Apparatus for Wireless Digital Contact Management” the priority of which is hereby claimed and the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference (“our earlier application”).
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/SG09/00280 | 8/12/2009 | WO | 00 | 11/5/2010 |
