Abstract: After an initialization process (S10), the access controller of the external storage device performs authentication using a password (S20, S30). If authentication is successful, the successfully authenticated state is saved, and the host computer is notified that the HD storage portion is accessible (S40). Subsequently, it is decided whether SOF packets are being periodically sent from the host computer (S50), and if periodic sending has been interrupted (S50: NO), the connection to the host computer will be deemed lost, and the saved authenticated state will be deleted (S60).

Abstract: The storage device used in connection with an information processing apparatus is provided. The storage device includes: an authentication storage area storing an authentication program in advance, wherein the authentication program is executed to authenticate whether each user operating the information processing apparatus is an approved user; an operating system storage area storing an operating system in advance, wherein the operating system is encrypted and is used by the information processing apparatus; an access controller configured to control accesses the authentication storage area and the operating system storage area from the information processing apparatus; and a decoder configured to decrypt the encrypted operating system, wherein upon notification of successful authentication representing that the user is authenticated as the approved user by the authentication program, the access controller allows an access the operating system storage area from the information processing apparatus.

Abstract: A storage device includes a plurality of interfaces for connection to an external device, a storage unit that stores data, an effective interface setting unit, and a switching instruction receiving unit. The effective interface setting unit sets one of the plurality of interfaces as an effective interface that may access the storage unit. The switching instruction receiving unit receives an effective interface switching instruction during operation of the storage device. The effective interface setting unit switches the interface set as the effective interface based on the effective interface switching instruction.

Abstract: The control device has a fetching unit, a virtual drive creation unit, and an access control unit. The fetching unit fetches, from the external storage device, attribute information relating to data stored in the external storage device. The virtual drive creation unit creates, in the control device, a virtual drive for storing the fetched attribute information. The access control unit controls access to the virtual drive and the external storage device. When an instruction relating to the attribute information is input, the access control unit accesses the virtual drive to fetch the attribute information. When an instruction to read the data from the external storage device is input, the access control unit accesses the external storage device to reads the data. When an instruction to write new data to the external storage device is input, the access control unit accesses the external storage device to write the new data.

Abstract: A control device controls an external storage device with a plurality of storage units which can be driven and stopped independently. The control device comprises: a display control unit; a setting unit; and a control signal output unit. The display control unit displays on a display a selection screen that allows a user to select which storage unit from among the plurality of storage units to operate. The setting unit sets a storage unit selected by the user as an operating storage unit to be operated. The control signal output unit outputs to the external storage device a control signal for having the operating storage unit be operated.

Abstract: An electronic device has: an operation unit; a power supply unit; an input changeover switch; and a controller. The power supply unit is supplied commercial power and supplies the operating power to the operation unit. The input changeover switch switches between supplying or not supplying the commercial power to the power supply unit. The controller controls the input changeover switch. The controller includes: a power input portion; a control signal input portion; and a switching signal output portion. When the device power is being supplied from a master electronic device to the power input portion and the control signal from the master electronic device is received by the control signal input portion, the switching signal output portion outputs to the input changeover switch a signal instructing to switch and supply the commercial power to the power supply unit.

Abstract: A file system management device is connectable to a storage device. The storage device includes a first file system entity created according to a first file system in which a second file system entity created according to a second file system is allowed to be mapped. A mapping information storing area is defined on a predetermined area of the first file system entity, and the mapping information storing area is reserved for storing mapping information indicating a correspondence of the mapping. The file system management device includes an accessing unit configured to access the second file system entity based on the mapping information through a process according to the first file system to the first file system entity.

Abstract: A data management apparatus is adaptable to an encryption system using a common key and a pair of keys comprising a public key and a private key. The data management apparatus includes: a common key encryption unit configured to encrypt a first common key with a first public key to generate an encrypted first common key; a password setting receiving unit configured to receive a setting of a first password; and a private key encryption unit configured to encrypt a first private key with the first password to generate an encrypted first private key.