Abstract: A new device to determine the current Write Protection status of a Microsoft Windows system, referred to as BlokStat, has been invented. BlokStat provides current and accurate Write Protection status quickly to a user through a physical hardware device that is attached to a system and an associated application running on the system which monitors the status of the USB Write Protection entry in the system's registry. In general, the software application component queries the Microsoft Windows registry as to the current setting of the system Write Protection status. An indicator is then changed on the hardware module to indicate to a user the current system Write Protection status. Embodiments may include: means to gather and store data of BlockStat activities, means to verify the system Write Protection status, means to communicate with a user, such as email through Wi-Fi, and a plurality of different indicators and controllers.

Abstract: A new long-term memory erasing device, referred to as EasyClean, has been invented. In general, EasyClean is a stand-alone, dedicated function device which is designed for an untrained user, who is tasked with removing data from one or more long-term memory storage devices located in one or more computing devices (targets). EasyClean provides one or more target devices with bootable code. After a target is booted, EasyClean communicates with the target device and monitors the status of the data removal operation. EasyClean may communicate this status to the user. EasyClean may generate an Audit Trail and provide it to the user. EasyClean may accept input from a user, such as what type of data removal to perform. EasyClean may write data to a storage device after the data removal operation is complete.

Abstract: A new long-term memory erasing device, referred to as EasyClean, has been invented. In general, EasyClean is a stand-alone, dedicated function device which is designed for an untrained user, who is tasked with removing data from one or more long-term memory storage devices located in one or more computing devices (targets). EasyClean provides one or more target devices with bootable code. After a target is booted, EasyClean communicates with the target device and monitors the status of the data removal operation. EasyClean may communicate this status to the user. EasyClean may generate an Audit Trail and provide it to the user. EasyClean may accept input from a user, such as what type of data removal to perform. EasyClean may write data to a storage device after the data removal operation is complete.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention is a place-and-forget, unattended, unmonitored digital video recording device. In this embodiment the device is positioned to video record an area of interest, such as a building site, a high crime area, a problem traffic area, a large gathering of people, etc. As the device is unmonitored, if there is no activity of interest in the area of interest, no man-hours have been used. If there is some activity of interest, such as a traffic accident, vandalism, employee theft, terrorist attack, etc. the device's hard drive can be retrieved and the video recording viewed. The device stores more data (higher quality) of recent video recordings than it does of older video recordings. In this manner the current invention can retain forensically relevant video recordings for a longer period of time than current art.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for safely recovering, protecting, and reading short term memory devices, such as DRAM modules, following their immediate removal from a system after it powers down. By providing power and appropriate control signals, the present invention stabilizes the memory and allows it to be safely read.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for safely recovering, protecting, and reading short term memory devices, such as DRAM modules, following their immediate removal from a system after it powers down. By providing power and appropriate control signals, the present invention stabilizes the memory and allows it to be safely read.

Abstract: A security protection device provides protection for computer long-term storage devices, such as hard drives. The security protection device is placed between a host computer and the storage device. The security protection device intercepts communications between the host and the storage device and examines any commands from the host to the storage device. Only “safe” commands that match commands on a pre-approved list are passed to the storage device. All other commands may be discarded.

Abstract: There are many situations where it is desirable for law enforcement or security officials, and others, to perform a Keyword search on a confiscated memory device. Keyword searches on undeleted files are well known in the art. Often files are deleted in an effort to hinder prosecution. When a file is deleted, the information that connects one chunk of memory to another is often lost. The file is now considered to be in “unallocated space” as the operating system is not tracking the chunks that made up the file anymore. When the information that connects one chunk of memory to another is lost there is no way to perform a keyword search across multiple chunks of memory in the art. The current invention rectifies this situation by providing ways to perform keyword searches across unallocated chunks. Additional the current invention provides methods to reconstruct files that have been deleted.

Abstract: A testing device to test how computer systems interact with computer long-term storage devices, such as hard drives. The testing device is placed between a host computer and the storage device. The testing device intercepts communications between the host and the storage device and examines any commands from the host to the storage device. The testing device may respond to an Information ID request from the host with predetermined data, not the storage device's actual data. The testing device may respond to a read or write command to a specific sector with an error message from a predetermined list of sectors and errors.

Abstract: A physically small, inexpensive to manufacture stand-alone dedicated function drive preparation device connects to a long term storage device such as a hard drive. The drive preparation device performs operations on the storage device such as formatting, copying, verifying, configuring, testing, and cleaning. Additionally the device may be configured set passwords. The device may also be configured to make multiple copies of a source storage device, these copies having unique network identifications. The device may be configured by a user.

Abstract: The current invention is a blocking device that provides read and write protection for computer long-term storage devices, such as hard drives. The blocking device is placed between a host computer and the storage device. The blocking device intercepts communications between the host and the storage device and examines commands from the host to the storage device. Certain commands, such as commands that may modify the storage device, may be discarded. The current invention enables multiple host computers to communicate to the blocking device. The current invention selectively blocks only specified host computers.

Abstract: An application specific device for erasing data from a long-term storage device includes a power supply, a control circuit, and an interface to the storage device. The control circuit controls the long-term storage device to irretrievably remove data from the storage device. The storage device may be, for example, a hard disk drive or compact flash memory. The application specific device is physically small, is operating system independent, and has simple interface that is useable by non-computer professionals.

Abstract: A Simple Device for creating exact copies of computer long-term memory devices such as hard drives and compact flash memory. Our current invention is a stand-alone device. A user connects a long-term memory device he desires to make a copy of (source) to our device. The user also connects a long-term memory device to receive this copy (destination). Our device contains logic and circuitry, which perform operations on both the source and destination device to make an exact copy of the Source Data to the Destination Device, while protecting the Source device from any changes. Our device has a very simple user interface. This simplified user interface makes it difficult and unlikely to use our device incorrectly.

Abstract: A restoring device provides a means to reset data in a computer long-term storage device's controller, such as hard drives. There is a need to, on occasion, change information on a device's controller. For example to access data on long-term storage devices such as hard drives that is hidden. Accessing this hidden data involves making a change to a device's controller. There is an addition requirement, on occasion, to reset the device's controller to its original state. Our current invention has systems and methods to restore a long-term storage device controller to a previous state.

Abstract: A blocking device provides read and write protection for computer long-term storage devices, such as hard drives. The blocking device is placed between a host computer and the storage device. The blocking device intercepts communications between the host and the storage device and examines any commands from the host to the storage device. Certain commands, such as commands that may modify the storage device, may be discarded.

Abstract: Our current invention is an improvement of our pending U.S. application Ser. No. 09/961417. As previously disclosed, the blocking device (203) provides read and write protection for computer long-term storage devices (205), such as hard drives. The blocking device is placed between a host computer (201) and the storage device (205). The blocking device (203) intercepts communications between the host (201) and the storage device (205) and examines any commands from the host to the storage device. Certain commands, such as commands that may modify the storage device, may be discarded.

Abstract: A Simple Device for creating exact copies of computer long-term memory devices such as hard drives and compact flash memory. Our current invention is a stand-alone device. A user connects a long-term memory device he desires to make a copy of (source) to our device. The user also connects a long-term memory device to receive this copy (destination). Our device contains logic and circuitry, which perform operations on both the source and destination device to make an exact copy of the Source Data to the Destination Device, while protecting the Source device from any changes. Our device has a very simple user interface. This simplified user interface makes it difficult and unlikely to use our device incorrectly.

Abstract: A restoring device provides a means to reset data in a computer long-term storage device's controller, such as hard drives. There is a need to, on occasion, change information on a device's controller. For example to access data on long-term storage devices such as hard drives that is hidden. Accessing this hidden data involves making a change to a device's controller. There is an addition requirement, on occasion, to reset the device's controller to its original state. Our current invention has systems and methods to restore a long-term storage device controller to a previous state.

Abstract: An application specific device for retrieving identification and capabilities information from a long-term storage device includes a power supply, a control circuit, and an interface to the storage device. The control circuit controls the long-term storage device to retrieve identification and capabilities information data from the storage device. The storage device may be, for example, a hard disk drive or compact flash memory. The application specific device is physically small, is operating system independent, and has simple interface that is useable by non-computer professionals.