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 a 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;    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 one of a Universal Serial Bus interface circuit and a Secure Digital interface circuit;    a processing unit, mounted on said card body, coupled to said non-volatile memory device and said input/output interface circuit, wherein said processing unit includes means for selectively operating in a programming mode in which said processing unit activates said input/output interface circuit to receive the data file from said data terminal and stores the data file in said non-volatile memory device, a data retrieving mode in which said processing unit accesses the data file stored in said non-volatile memory device and activates said input/output interface circuit to transmit the data file to said data terminal, and a data resetting mode in which the processing unit facilitates erasing of the data file from said non-volatile memory device;    means for mode switching of the electronic data storage medium among the programming mode, the data retrieving mode, and the data resetting mode;    security means for entering a security data for comparison with the reference data stored in said non-volatile memory device;    means for controlling said processing unit when the electronic data storage medium is in the programming mode such that when the security data 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 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 security data entered through said security means matches with the reference data stored in said non-volatile memory device, the processing unit transfers the data file stored in said non-volatile memory device through the input/output interface circuit to the data terminal.