Data storage and access facilitating techniques
An apparatus and method for securely accessing and storing private data files and programs on a personal computing device with network access is provided. A portable data storage unit or authentication unit conjoins to a personal computing device and initiates a software program that delivers hidden authentication information to part of the network. The network then presents secure data files to the user, and enables data and program storage and access by the user. Administrator(s) may program multiple, separately-identifiable portable data storage units to permit different levels of access. When the portable data storage unit or authentication unit is no longer conjoined to the personal computing device, access and presentation of the data are terminated. The portable data storage unit may comprise a pivoting computer port-conjoining member, allowing its housing to run parallel to and lock with the personal computing device housing with a spring-loaded button and ribs along the member.
1. A method comprising:
detecting, by a processing device, a first indicia indicating that a portable data storage device is connected to a port;
authenticating, by the processing device, authentication data received from the portable data storage unit in response to the detecting the first indicia;
accessing, by the processing device, a data file in response to the authenticating;
receiving, by the processing device, an input for modifying the data file in response to the accessing;
generating by the processing device, a modified version of the data file by modifying the data file based at least in part on the input;
detecting, by the processing device, a second indicia indicating that the portable data storage device is disconnected from the port; and
deleting, by the processing device, a temporary data file corresponding to the data file in response to detecting the second indicia.
2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising storing, by the processing device, a modified version of the data file in response to the detecting the second indicia.
3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising, initiating, by the processing device, an application program configured to authenticate the authentication data in response to detecting the first indicia.
4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising terminating, by the processing device, the accessing the data file in response to the detecting the second indicia.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the port is a local port.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the port is associated with a remote network device.
7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising, displaying, by the processing device, the data file in response to the accessing.
8. The method of claim 7 , further comprising, terminating, by the processing device, the displaying the data file in response to the second indicia.
9. The method of claim 1 , further comprising, restricting, by the processing device, access to a particular data file based on the authentication data.
10. A computer-readable memory device having instructions stored thereon that, in response to execution by a processing device, cause the processing device to perform operations comprising:
detecting a first indicia indicating that a portable data storage device is connected to an interface;
authenticating authentication data received from the portable data storage unit in response to the detecting the first indicia;
accessing a data file, in response to the authenticating;
receiving an input for modifying the data file;
generating a modified version of the data file based at least in part on applying the input to the data file;
detecting a second indicia indicating that the portable data storage device is disconnected from the interface; and
deleting a temporary data file corresponding to the modified data file in response to detecting the second indicia.
11. The computer-readable memory device of claim 10 , wherein the operations further comprise initiating an application program configured to authenticate the authentication data.
12. The computer-readable memory device of claim 10 , wherein the operations further comprise storing the modified version of the data file in response to the detecting the second indicia.
13. The computer-readable memory device of claim 10 , wherein the operations further comprise terminating the accessing the data file in response to the detecting the second indicia.
14. The computer-readable memory device of claim 10 , wherein the interface is associated with a local port.
15. The computer-readable memory device of claim 10 , wherein the interface is associated with a remote network device.
16. The computer-readable memory device of claim 10 , wherein the operations further comprise displaying the data file in response to the accessing.
17. The computer-readable memory device of claim 16 , wherein the operations further comprise terminating the displaying the data file in response to the second indicia.
18. The computer-readable memory device of claim 10 , wherein the operations further comprise restricting access to a particular data file based on the authentication data.
19. An apparatus comprising:
means for detecting a first indicia indicating a portable data storage device is connected to an interface;
means for authenticating authentication data received from the portable data storage unit in response to the detecting the first indicia;
means for accessing a data file in response to the authenticating;
means for receiving an input for modifying the data file;
means for generating a modified version of the data file by modifying the data file based at least in part on the input;
means for detecting a second indicia indicating the portable data storage device is disconnected from the interface; and
means for deleting a temporary data file corresponding to the modified data file, in response to detecting the second indicia.
20. The apparatus of claim 19 , further comprising means for initiating an application program configured to authenticate the authentication data.
21. The apparatus of claim 19 , further comprising means for storing the modified version of the data file in response to the detecting the second indicia.
22. The apparatus of claim 19 , further comprising means for terminating the accessing the data file in response to the detecting the second indicia.
23. The apparatus of claim 19 , wherein the interface is associated with a local port.
24. The apparatus of claim 19 , wherein the interface is associated with a remote network device.
25. The apparatus of claim 19 , further comprising means for displaying the data file in response to the accessing.
26. The apparatus of claim 25 , further comprising means for terminating the displaying the data file in response to the second indicia.
27. The apparatus of claim 19 , further comprising means for restricting access to a particular data file based on the authentication data.
28. An apparatus, comprising:
a memory device configured to store instructions associated with an application program; and
a processing device configured to execute the instructions stored in the memory device to:
detect a first indicia indicating a portable data storage device is connected to an interface;
authenticate authentication data received from the portable data storage unit in response to the detecting the first indicia;
access a data file, in response to the authenticating;
receive an input for modifying the data file in response to the accessing;
generate a modified version of the data file by modifying the data file based at least in part on the input;
detect a second indicia indicating the portable data storage device is disconnected from the interface; and
delete a temporary data file corresponding to the modified data file in response to detecting the second indicia.
29. The apparatus of claim 28 , wherein the processing device is further configured to execute the instructions stored in the memory device to initiate the application program in response to detecting the first indicia.
30. The apparatus of claim 28 , wherein the processing device is further configured to execute the instructions stored in the memory device to store the modified version of the data file in response to the detecting the second indicia.
31. The apparatus of claim 28 , wherein the processing device is further configured to execute the instructions stored in the memory device to terminate the accessing the data file in response to the detecting the second indicia.
32. The apparatus of claim 28 , wherein the interface is associated with a local port.
33. The apparatus of claim 28 , wherein the interface is associated with a remote network device.
34. The apparatus of claim 28 , wherein the processing device is further configured to execute the instructions stored in the memory device to display the data file in response to the accessing.
35. The apparatus of claim 34 , wherein the processing device is further configured to execute the instructions stored in the memory device to terminate the displaying the data file in response to the second indicia.
36. The apparatus of claim 28 , wherein the processing device is further configured to execute the instructions stored in the memory device to restrict access to a particular data file based on the authentication data.