Memory Device Activation and Deactivation

Abstract

Embodiments of methods and systems for controlling access to information stored on memory or data storage devices are disclosed. In various embodiments, methods of retrieving information from a data storage device previously deactivated by modification or degradation of at least a portion of the data storage device are disclosed.

1 . A method of retrieving information from a deactivated memory device, comprising:
 providing an identification code to a support entity, the identification code associated with a deactivated memory device comprising at least one region from which read-support information sufficient to support reading of data of interest from the memory device could be read prior to deactivation but not after deactivation; and   receiving an override code from the support entity, the override code containing alternative information sufficient to permit reading of the data of interest from the deactivated memory device.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , including using the alternative information as a key to decode data of interest stored in the deactivated memory device. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , including using the alternative information as index information for reading data of interest stored in two or more locations of the deactivated memory device in a correct sequence. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the override code includes a full copy of the read-support information. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the override code includes a portion of the read-support information. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the override code includes an analog of the read-support information. 
     
     
         7 . (canceled) 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , including providing the identification code to the support entity via a telephone. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , including providing the identification code to the support entity via the internet. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , including providing the identification code to the support entity via a wireless transmission. 
     
     
         11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . A method of reactivating a deactivated memory device, comprising:
 receiving an identification code associated with a deactivated memory device;   identifying an override code associated with the identification code, wherein the override code contains read-support information necessary to permit data to be read from the deactivated memory device; and   providing the override code to a receiving entity.   
     
     
         14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13 , including receiving the identification code in the form of an electronic data transmission. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 13 , including receiving the identification code in the form of a wireless data transmission. 
     
     
         18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . (canceled) 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the override code includes at least a portion of a decryption key. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the override code includes at least a portion of an index table. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the override code includes complete read-support information sufficient for reading the data of interest from the memory device. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the override code includes partial read-support information necessary for reading the data of interest from the memory device. 
     
     
         27 . (canceled) 
     
     
         28 . A method of retrieving data from an expired limited use memory device, comprising:
 obtaining a backup copy of read-support information necessary for reading machine readable data of interest from the expired limited use memory device; and   based upon the read-support information, reading data of interest from the first portion of the expired limited use memory device.   
     
     
         29 . (canceled) 
     
     
         30 . (canceled) 
     
     
         31 . (canceled) 
     
     
         32 . (canceled) 
     
     
         33 . (canceled) 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 28 , including obtaining the backup copy of the read support information by reading the backup copy from a secondary location on the memory device. 
     
     
         35 . (canceled) 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the backup copy of the read-support information includes complete information necessary for reading the data of interest. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the backup copy of the read-support information is a subset of information necessary for reading the data of interest.