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  A portable data storage device having a secure mode of operationRelated Patent Categories: Electrical Computers And Digital Data Processing Systems: Input/output, Input/output Data Processing, Peripheral AdaptingA portable data storage device having a secure mode of operation description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060230203, A portable data storage device having a secure mode of operation. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a continuation of now pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/415,603 filed May 1, 2006, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/742,644 filed on Dec. 19, 2003, issued as U.S. Pat. No. 7,039,759 on May 2, 2006, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/803,157 filed on Mar. 9, 2001, issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,880,054 on Apr. 12, 2005, which claims priority to International Patent Application No. PCT/SG00/00029, filed Feb. 21, 2000 incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The invention relates to a portable data storage device, and in particular, a portable data storage device for a computer. BACKGROUND [0003] Conventional data storage devices generally fall into two categories. The first category is electronic, solid-state memory devices such as read only memory (ROM) and random access memory (RAM). These memory devices are generally fitted within the computer. They are not intended to be removable or portable so that they may be used on different computers, for example, to permit the transfer of data from one computer to another computer. [0004] The second type of device is surface based data storage devices in which data is stored, typically, on the surface of a disk or tape. Examples of surface storage devices are magnetic disks and CD ROMs. Such data storage devices require a mechanical drive mechanism to be installed in or coupled to the computer to permit the data on the storage device to be read by the computer. In addition, such memory devices are limited by the surface area of the storage device, and the combination of the storage device and the drive mechanism for reading data from the storage device is generally bulky and/or delicate due to the moving parts that are required within the drive mechanism and/or storage device. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0005] In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a portable data storage device comprising a coupling device for coupling to a computer serial bus, an interface device coupled to the coupling device, a memory control device and a non-volatile solid-state memory device; the memory control device being coupled between the interface device and the memory device to control the flow of data from the memory device to the coupling device. [0006] An advantage of the invention is that by providing a portable data storage device comprising a coupling device with an interface device, memory control device and a non-volatile solid-state memory device, it is possible to provide a portable data storage device which may be coupled to a computer having a serial bus port and which does not include moving parts or require a mechanical drive mechanism to read the data from the data storage device. [0007] Preferably, the non-volatile solid-state memory device may be a read/write memory device, such as a flash memory device. [0008] Preferably, where the memory device is a read/write memory device, the memory control device controls the flow of data to and from the memory device. [0009] Typically, the data storage device further comprises a manually operated switch movable between a first position in which writing of data to the memory device is enabled, and a second position in which writing of data to the memory device is prevented. [0010] Preferably, the memory control device may include a read only memory which stores a program to control the operation of the memory control device. Preferably, the memory control device is a micro-controller. [0011] Typically, the interface device comprises a universal serial bus (USB) driver to convert data between a USB format and a PC format, and the coupling device comprises a USB coupling device. [0012] Alternatively, the interface device comprises a driver for IEEE 1394 (Firewire) protocol, and the coupling device comprises a Firewire coupling device. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0013] An example of a data storage device in accordance with the invention will now be described to the accompanying drawings, in which: [0014] FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a portable data storage device; [0015] FIG. 2 is a flow diagram showing the initial setup of the data storage device by a software supplier; [0016] FIG. 3 is a flow diagram showing the initial setup of the data storage device by an end user; and [0017] FIG. 4 is a flow diagram showing operation of the data storage device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [0018] FIG. 1 shows a data storage device 10 which includes a USB plug 1 which is coupled to a USB interface device 2. The USB interface device 2 is coupled to a micro-controller 3 which is coupled to a flash memory 4. The micro-controller 3 includes a read only memory (ROM) 5 which stores a program to control the operation of the micro-controller 3. Continue reading about A portable data storage device having a secure mode of operation... Full patent description for A portable data storage device having a secure mode of operation Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this A portable data storage device having a secure mode of operation patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. 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