Electronic data storage medium with fingerprint verification capability

Abstract

An electronic data storage medium is adapted to be accessed by a data terminal, and includes a processing unit connected to a memory device that stores a data file and security reference data possessed by a person authorized to access the data file, and an input-output interface circuit activable so as to establish communication with the data terminal. The processing unit is operable selectively in a programming mode and a data retrieving mode. The electronic data storage medium also includes a function key set for manually switching the electronic data storage medium between the programming mode and the data retrieving mode.

1 . An electronic data storage medium adapted to be accessed by a data terminal, said electronic data storage medium comprising: 
 a card body usable as a substrate;    a non-volatile memory device, mounted on said card body, for storing data file and reference data possessed by a person authorized to access the data file, wherein the data file and reference data are stored and located in different sectors of said non-volatile memory device, wherein said non-volatile memory device is a flash memory, which includes both single-level-cell (SLC) and multi-level-cell (MLC) flash memory devices;    security means for entering a password into the electronic data storage medium for matching with the reference data stored in said non-volatile memory device and serving as the encryption or decryption key for the data file to be accessed;    an input/output interface circuit, mounted on said card body, for establishing communication with the data terminal, wherein said input/output interface circuit is a card reader interface circuit which comprises of a Universal Serial Bus interface circuit;    a processing unit, mounted on said card body, coupled to said non-volatile memory device, said security means, and said input/output interface circuit;    means for mode switching of the electronic data storage medium among the programming mode, the data retrieving mode, and the data resetting mode;    means for controlling said processing unit when the electronic data storage medium is in the programming mode such that when the password entered through said security means matches with the reference data stored in said non-volatile memory device, the processing unit transfers from the data terminal at least one of the data file and the reference data through the input/output interface circuit, encrypts the data file, then writes said at least one of the encrypted data file and the reference data into said non-volatile memory device; and    means for controlling said processing unit when the electronic data storage medium is in the data retrieving mode such that when the password entered through said security means matches with the reference data stored in said non-volatile memory device, the processing unit fetches at least one of the encrypted data file and the reference data stored in said non-volatile memory device, decrypts the data file, then transfers said at least one of the decrypted data file and the reference data to the data terminal through the input/output interface circuit.