HK1251675B - An achievable autorun integrated circuit memory device or method - Google Patents

Description

An integrated circuit storage device or method capable of realizing automatic operation

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a system and method for automatically running an executable application program or an installation program stored on a storage medium such as a flash memory.

Technical Field

As is known in the art, some applications, such as software installers, can be automatically run when a CD-ROM disc is inserted into a CD-ROM drive, which may sometimes be referred to as a dock or reader. In operation, this automatic running of applications is provided by an autorun feature that is stored or incorporated into the CD-ROM drive dock/reader. The executable program or installer stored on the CD-ROM disc is executed by a host personal computer upon activation of the autorun feature in the CD-ROM drive dock/reader. In this embodiment, the autorun feature is incorporated into the hardware drive/dock/reader, separate from the storage medium.

Universal Serial Bus (USB) technology is rapidly gaining popularity as the peripheral device interface technology of choice for computing devices such as personal or laptop computers. Flash memory coupled with a USB interface has become a convenient and portable storage device that can replace floppy disks and compact disks (CDs).

However, the popular and widely adopted Universal Serial Bus technology does not include an auto-run feature that is apparent in docking stations/readers. Consequently, conventional integrated circuit storage devices, such as USB storage devices, do not have auto-run functionality.

Thus, the present invention provides auto-run functionality to any IC storage device (such as any USB peripheral device) having a memory component interfaced with a computing device interface microcontroller. The present invention provides for automatically running one or more executable programs or application installers from a memory component having an interface with a computing device, without requiring an intermediate hardware-based auto-run feature. By way of example, such an interface may be a USB interface, and such a computing device may be a personal computer.

For example, each USB peripheral device internally contains a USB microcontroller that performs functions associated with identifying the device to a host computing device (such as a personal computer). According to the present invention, autorun firmware is embedded in the USB microcontroller. The autorun firmware automatically runs installable or executable applications stored on the memory component of the USB device. The firmware acts as a bridge component for translating all commands and interactions between the host PC and the memory component.

Additional description and implementation of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description of preferred embodiments, which will be given with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a self-running integrated circuit (IC) memory device in accordance with the present invention.

2 is a block diagram of a prior art device in which a host personal computer includes an intermediate hardware docking station for providing an autorun feature.

FIG3 is a flow chart of a method for automatically operating an IC storage device.

4A and 4B illustrate autorun firmware embedded in an alternative USB device configuration in accordance with the present invention.

FIG5 is a block diagram of a USB peripheral device having multiple functions.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a USB hub with autorun firmware and access to a number of different functions.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a physical slide switch operable by a person.

FIG8 is a flow chart of a copy protection method implemented in software.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of an auto-operating integrated circuit (IC) memory device 100 according to the present invention. The auto-operating IC memory device may be in the form of a USB memory device, a Compact Flash card, a smart card, etc. For purposes of illustration, the auto-operating IC memory device 100 will be described with reference to an embodiment of a Universal Serial Bus (USB) memory device.

The autorun IC memory device 100 includes a memory component 110 in communication with a USB microcontroller 120 having autorun firmware 130 incorporated into or embedded in the microcontroller 120. The autorun IC memory device 100 includes an upstream port 140 for connecting to a host computing device 150 (e.g., a personal or laptop computer, handheld computer, PDA, smart phone, etc., not shown). In the illustrated embodiment, the upstream port 140 is a USB port.

When the IC storage device 100 is activated to the host computing device 150, the auto-run firmware 130 causes the application programs or executable programs stored in the memory component 110 to be automatically installed or run. This activation can be achieved in various ways, including by connecting or plugging the auto-run IC storage device 100 into a docking system or port present on or connected to the host computing device 150. For example, the IC storage device 100 having the auto-run firmware 130 incorporated into the USB microcontroller 120 allows a "USB flash drive" storing one or more application executable or installable programs to automatically run (i.e., autorun) when activated, such as when the flash drive is plugged into a USB port of the host PC 150.

2 is a block diagram of a prior art device in which a host personal computer 200 includes an intermediate hardware docking station 220 that provides an autorun feature for storage media such as a CD-ROM 230. The intermediate hardware docking station 220 serves as a storage media reader and may be internally integrated into the host personal computer 200 or externally connected to the host personal computer 200 and the storage media 230.

In this prior art embodiment, inserting the CD-ROM disc 230 into the CD-ROM docking station/reader 220 may activate an autorun feature that is stored or incorporated into the CD-ROM docking station/reader 220. The executable program or installation program stored on the CD-ROM disc 230 may then be executed by the host personal computer 200 upon activation of the autorun feature of the CD-ROM docking station/reader 220.

As another example of such a prior art implementation, a flash memory card reader connected to a host computing device (such as a personal computer) may also include an autorun feature that can activate an executable program or installation program to run on the host computing device.

A drawback of this prior art implementation is that the autorun feature is incorporated into a hardware dock or reader that is separate from the storage medium. However, the popular and widely adopted Universal Serial Bus technology does not include such an explicit autorun feature. Consequently, conventional integrated circuit storage devices, such as USB storage devices, do not have autorun functionality. In contrast, the present invention provides autorun functionality to any IC storage device (such as any USB peripheral device) that has a memory component that interfaces with a USB microcontroller.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart of a method 300 for automatically operating an IC storage device, which may be implemented in the firmware 130 incorporated into the USB controller 120 .

At step 305, a USB peripheral device is plugged into or connected to a USB port of a host computing device (eg, a personal computer).

At step 310 , the host computing device performs enumeration to identify the newly attached USB peripheral device.

Step 320 inquires whether the USB peripheral device includes enabled auto-run firmware. If so, step 320 continues to step 330. If not, step 320 continues to step 370.

In step 330, the autorun firmware in the USB peripheral device announces itself using a device interface description. For example, the device interface description may include Mass Storage Class, SCSI transparent command set, and Bulk Only Transport corresponding to CD-ROM.

In step 340, the host and the USB peripheral device communicate with each other using, for example, the standard MMC-2 specification set. The communication includes responding to host commands from the autorun firmware in accordance with the MMC-2 specification. As part of the MMC-2 specification, the host requests files listed in the root directory and the autorun firmware responds to the requests.

At step 350, the autorun firmware notifies the host of the existence of an autorun executable file to be executed and provides the file to the host. For example, the file may be named "Autorun.inf" and may be stored on a memory component of the USB peripheral device. The host executes the autorun executable file to provide the autorun functionality.

Step 360 inquires whether the autorun firmware is to be enumerated again or "re-enumerated." If so, then step 360 proceeds to step 370. If not, then step 360 proceeds to step 390. Re-enumeration enables the autorun firmware to advertise itself to the host as one or more other USB peripheral devices (e.g., a data storage device, a communications adapter, etc.), or if not re-enumerated, then the autorun firmware can continue to function in accordance with the MMC-2 specification.

At step 370, the autorun firmware re-enumerates or identifies itself as another USB device, such as a USB flash drive or a USB wireless (e.g., Bluetooth, WiFi, IrDA) device or "dongle." With this re-enumeration, the autorun firmware utilizes the device interface descriptor to identify itself to the other USB device (e.g., USB flash drive or USB Bluetooth dongle).

At step 380, the autorun firmware loads the firmware associated with the enumerated USB peripheral device (eg, a USB flash drive or a USB Bluetooth dongle).

At step 390, the autorun firmware is configured not to re-enumerate itself and continue to act as a virtual CD-ROM type device implementing the MMC-2 specification.

Processing steps 320, 330, 340, 350 and 360 correspond to the implementation of the autorun firmware.Step 390 provides for the implementation of a virtual mass storage device based on a memory component implementing the SCSI command set and the MMC-2 specification.

The autorun firmware according to the present invention can be embedded in a plurality of USB device configurations to provide autorun functionality to a variety of unique USB peripheral devices and to provide similar functionality to other peripheral devices. For example, FIG4A shows a USB hub 400 in which a USB microcontroller 410 having autorun firmware 415 communicates with an internal memory component 420. In FIG4B , the USB microcontroller 450 is connected to an external memory component 460 via a USB downstream port 470.

4A , a USB microcontroller 410 that forms part of a USB hub 400 is typically a repeater-type entity that allows a plurality of cascaded USB peripheral devices to be connected to a host system via a single upstream port. The USB microcontroller 410 includes support for programming capabilities, including auto-run firmware 415. The auto-run firmware can then be ported to the USB microcontroller 410 for operation. The firmware can be stored on an internal memory component 420. Alternatively, the auto-run firmware can be stored on an external memory, such as an additional USB memory component 430.

As another configuration, FIG5 is a block diagram of a multifunctional USB peripheral device 500. In this embodiment, the USB peripheral device 500 includes an internal microprocessor 510 having a USB interface, or alternatively, a USB microcontroller, which communicates with a memory component 520 and wireless (e.g., Bluetooth) networking hardware 530. As a result, the USB peripheral device 500 is capable of operating as a wireless (e.g., Bluetooth) networking device or "dongle" and as a USB flash drive, both of which are accessible using the autorun function.

In one configuration, microprocessor 510 has USB interface capabilities. It is coupled to memory component 520 and Bluetooth radio component 530. Microprocessor 510 implements the client layer of the Bluetooth stack. The firmware executed by microprocessor 510 is stored in memory component 520. Autorun firmware can also be stored separately as part of the existing firmware function or stored independently in memory component 520. In another configuration, microprocessor 510 may not directly have USB interface capabilities, and a separate USB microcontroller (not shown) may be used.

The feature of including autorun firmware in the USB peripheral device is that the software application can be bundled with the USB peripheral device. The bundled software application can utilize or not utilize the USB peripheral device.

As an example, Fig. 6 is a block diagram of a USB hub 600, which includes a USB microcontroller 610 with automatic operation firmware 615 and access to one or more different functions or USB peripherals, such as an external memory component 630, a Bluetooth networking component 640, or a WLAN component 650. Such USB peripherals 630-650 can be formed in conjunction with the USB hub 600. As shown, the USB hub 600 can be connected to one or more external components 630-650, or alternatively, one or more components 630-650 can be internally integrated to form a USB peripheral or to have a variety of different functions.

There may be multiple executions of the autorun firmware from each or some of these peripheral devices. The autorun firmware thus allows for the distribution of software (e.g., device drivers, synchronization software, etc.) that can autorun with any USB peripheral device.

Implementation options also include a mechanism that allows the auto-run feature to be enabled or disabled by an external mechanism (e.g., a switch) included on the device or a peripheral device. The switch can be manually operated by a person. The switch can be a simple two-mode (e.g., auto-run on/off) switch, or it can be a switch that selects between two or more modes.

FIG7 is a schematic diagram of a physical slide switch 700 operable by a person to allow a person to select between multiple modes, functions, or peripherals available on a USB device or "dongle." As an example, switch 700 relates to features or peripherals available from USB hub 600 of FIG6 , including external storage component 630 and a wireless dongle or module (640 or 650) for adding a wireless (e.g., Bluetooth, WiFi, IrDA) interface to its host PC.

In this exemplary figure, switch 700 has four user-selectable positions. In position 710, the auto-run function is enabled and the wireless component is disabled. In position 720, the auto-run function is disabled and the wireless component is disabled. In position 730, the auto-run function is enabled and the wireless component is enabled. In position 740, the auto-run function is disabled and the wireless component is enabled.

The auto-run firmware enables the distribution of software that can be automatically run from the memory component. There are also unique security mechanisms that can be included to protect the software that can be installed or executed from the memory component by the auto-run firmware.

Sectors of an internal memory component (e.g., memory component 620 of FIG. 6 ) can be protected from public access by password protection or by physical security devices such as, in particular, locks. The flash memory component can also be segmented into public and private sectors. The private sectors can be used to store installable or executable programs that cannot be viewed or accessed by the user, while the public sectors can be viewed or accessed by the user in a conventional manner. Installable or executable software distributed via the memory component can be stored in a protected area of the memory component. The security of this installable software via copy protection can be achieved by allowing only an executable application launcher (application launcher) to access the installable software, which is automatically run from the memory component.

In one embodiment, the executable application launcher has the following characteristics: it is automatically run from the memory component and it is able to access the protected or private area of the memory component. This access is obtained by authenticating itself to the memory controller (e.g., a USB microcontroller) and/or to the installable software in the protected area of the memory component. The authentication mechanism can be a password-based mechanism or a more complex cryptographic algorithm. Among the various technologies used for authentication are digital signatures and unique identifiers, like Bluetooth device addresses, MAC addresses, etc. The executable application launcher can authenticate itself directly to the memory controller software and/or the installable software or to independent authentication software, which is present in the protected area of the memory component.

The executable application launcher can generally be constructed to execute any or all executable and installable programs present in the protected area of the memory component. Alternatively, the executable application launcher can be programmed to launch a specific executable or installable program from the protected area. Considering that the memory component may be segmented into "n" protected sectors, where n is greater than 1, the executable application launcher can access one or more of these sectors according to the mechanism described herein. The protected memory area can, for example, contain executable software (also referred to as executable applications) or installable software (also referred to as installable applications) or protected data.

8 is a flow chart of a software-implemented copy protection method for protecting executable or installable software using autorun firmware.

In step 810, an executable application program stored in a memory component of an IC storage device is automatically executed on a host computer via auto-run firmware stored on the IC storage device. The auto-run firmware automatically operates when the IC storage device is activated, such as when the storage device is inserted into a port or slot of the host computer.

At step 820, the application launcher authenticates itself to the authentication agent software residing in the protected area of the memory component. The authentication agent software may be incorporated into the protected executable or installable software or may be a standalone application. The authentication algorithm may be cryptographically based or may involve cryptographic techniques.

Step 830 inquires whether the authentication is successful. If unsuccessful, access to the protected executable or installable program is denied. If the authentication is successful, step 830 proceeds to step 840, and the executable application launcher obtains access to the protected memory area.

The executable application launcher executes the executable or installable application stored in the protected area of the memory component at step 840. The executable application launcher may also be programmed to execute any or all executable and installable applications present in the protected area of the memory component.

At step 850, the executable and installable program thus launched is executed on the host computer.

In view of the many possible embodiments to which the principles of the present invention may be applied, it should be recognized that the specific embodiments are illustrative only and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention. On the contrary, it is intended that all such embodiments of the present invention fall within the scope and spirit of the claims and their equivalents.

Claims (39)

1. An integrated circuit storage device connectable to a host computing device, the integrated circuit storage device comprising: A wireless component, the wireless component being used to add a wireless interface to the host computing device; A controller, wherein the controller is used to control the interaction between the integrated circuit storage device and the host computing device; A memory component, comprising a protected memory component storing selected software operable on the host computing device; and Automatically run software, stored on the integrated circuit storage device for automatic execution on the host computing device, loads selected software from the protected memory component onto the host computing device when the integrated circuit storage device is activated via the host computing device and when running on the host computing device; and Specifically, accessing the selected software by the automated software requires authentication of the automated software, and this authentication includes the automated software authenticating the controller or the selected software; and The security of the selected software's copy protection is achieved by allowing access only to the selected software via an executable application launcher that runs automatically from the memory component. Access to the selected software stored in the protected memory component is obtained by the executable application launcher authenticating itself to the controller or the selected software. Furthermore, the selected software stored in the protected memory component cannot be viewed or accessed by the user of the integrated circuit storage device. 2. The integrated circuit storage device of claim 1, wherein the wireless component includes a wireless networking component, and the selected software provides operation of the wireless networking component on the host computing device. 3. The integrated circuit storage device of claim 2, further comprising a connection to a universal serial bus port, and the interaction between the integrated circuit storage device and the host computing device is performed via the universal serial bus port. 4. The integrated circuit storage device of claim 3, wherein the controller and the memory component together operate as a storage device of the host computing device. 5. A computer-readable medium for storing automatically running software for use with an integrated circuit storage device, wherein the integrated circuit storage device comprises: A wireless component for establishing a wireless communication connection with a host computing device, the host computing device being a device different from the integrated circuit memory device; A controller, wherein the controller is used to control the interaction between the integrated circuit storage device and the host computing device; A memory component storing protected software or data operable on the host computing device, the memory component including a protected memory component, the protected software or data being stored in the protected memory component, and the protected software or data stored in the protected memory component being inaccessible to the user of the integrated circuit storage device; and The autorun software is stored on the integrated circuit storage device and is executable to automatically load and run the protected software or data on the host computing device when the integrated circuit storage device is activated via the host computing device. The automatically running software is characterized by: Software used to identify the enabled automated running software to the host computing device using a device interface description; Software for automatically loading and running the autorun software on the host computing device when the integrated circuit storage device is activated via the host computing device; Software for authenticating the autorunning software to the controller or the protected software or data, wherein the autorunning software is used to access the protected software or data during authentication of the autorunning software, and Software used to establish the wireless communication connection between the wireless component and the host computing device. 6. The computer-readable medium of claim 5, wherein the wireless component includes a wireless networking component, and the protected software or data provides operation on the wireless networking component on the host computing device, and wherein the copy protection security of the protected software or data is achieved by allowing only an executable application launcher that automatically runs the software to access the protected software or data, the executable application launcher being automatically run from the memory component, the access being obtained by the executable application launcher authenticating itself to the controller and/or to the protected software or data. 7. The computer-readable medium of claim 5, wherein access to the protected software or data by the autorunning software requires authentication of the autorunning software, and the autorunning software, stored on the integrated circuit storage device and running on the host computing device, is permitted to access the protected software or data, and the authentication of the autorunning software includes authentication to the controller or the protected software or data. 8. The computer-readable medium of claim 7, further comprising software for causing the autorunning software to re-enumerate the integrated circuit storage device as a different type of device to the host computing device, such that the integrated circuit storage device operates with the host computing device as said different type of device. 9. An integrated circuit storage device, comprising: a. USB (Universal Serial Bus) interface; b. A memory component, the memory component including a protected memory region storing protected data or software; c. A memory controller that provides access to the protected memory region of the memory component; d. Automatic running software, which is stored in the memory component and is capable of running automatically on a host computing device to access the protected data or software; e. A wireless component, the wireless component being used to add a wireless interface to the host computing device; f. Wherein, when the integrated circuit storage device is activated on the host computing device, the integrated circuit storage device identifies itself to the host computing device using a first device interface description; and g. Wherein, when the integrated circuit storage device is activated on the host computing device, the integrated circuit storage device re-enumerates the integrated circuit storage device to the host computing device using the second device interface description. 10. The integrated circuit storage device of claim 9, wherein the wireless component includes a wireless networking component, and wherein operation of the wireless networking component is provided on the host computing device via the autorun software. 11. The integrated circuit storage device of claim 10, wherein access to the protected software or data stored in the protected memory region is obtained by the automatically running software by authenticating itself to the memory controller, and the protected software or data stored in the protected memory region cannot be viewed or accessed by a user of the integrated circuit storage device in the protected memory region. 12. The integrated circuit storage device of claim 11, further comprising a connection interface connectable to a universal serial bus port of the host computing device, and the interaction between the integrated circuit storage device and the host computing device is performed via the universal serial bus port. 13. The integrated circuit storage device of claim 12, wherein the first device interface description identifies the integrated circuit storage device as a virtual CD-ROM device to the host computing device. 14. A method for adding a wireless interface to a host computing device using an integrated circuit storage device connectable to the host computing device, the integrated circuit storage device including a wireless component and a memory component, the memory component including a protected memory component storing protected data, the method of adding the wireless interface to the host computing device comprising: When the integrated circuit storage device is connected to the interface connection port of the host computing device, the integrated circuit storage device is activated to add the wireless interface to the host computing device; The integrated circuit storage device is identified to the host computing device using a first device interface description; When the integrated circuit storage device is activated through the host computing device, the autorun software stored on the integrated circuit storage device is automatically run on the host computing device; The integrated circuit storage device is re-enumerated using a second device interface description to identify itself to the host computing device using the second device interface description, the re-enumeration being performed after the autorun software is run on the host computing device; The automatically running software accesses the protected data from the protected memory component; The automatically running software provides the protected data accessed from the protected memory component to the host computing device; and The wireless interface is added to the host computing device by the integrated circuit storage device and via the wireless component of the integrated circuit storage device. 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the interface connection port for connecting the integrated circuit storage device to the host computing device includes a universal serial bus port for connecting the integrated circuit storage device to the host computing device. 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the wireless component comprises at least one of a WiFi component or a Bluetooth radio component. 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the protected data stored in the protected memory component cannot be viewed or accessed by a user of the integrated circuit storage device. 18. The method of claim 17, wherein access to the protected data at the protected memory component by the autorunning software requires the autorunning software to authenticate with a memory controller contained in the integrated circuit memory device. 19. An integrated circuit storage device, the integrated circuit storage device being connectable by a user to a host computing device to add a wireless interface to the host computing device, the integrated circuit storage device comprising: A controller, wherein the controller is used to control the interaction between the integrated circuit storage device and the host computing device; A wireless component, the wireless component being used to add a wireless interface to the host computing device after the integrated circuit storage device is inserted into the interface connection port of the host computing device; A memory component, comprising a protected memory component for storing protected data that can be installed or executed on the host computing device; and Automatically running software, which is stored on the integrated circuit storage device and automatically runs on the host computing device when the integrated circuit storage device is activated, and during automatic operation on the host computing device: Accessing the protected data from the protected memory component, the protected data being accessed for installation or execution on the host computing device and for adding the wireless interface to the host computing device, the access to the protected data includes authenticating the autorun software to the controller of the integrated circuit storage device; and The integrated circuit storage device enables the user to add the wireless interface to the host computing device via the wireless component and using the protected data stored in the protected memory component of the integrated circuit storage device, wherein the protected data stored in the protected memory component of the integrated circuit storage device cannot be viewed or accessed by the user at the protected memory component. 20. The integrated circuit storage device of claim 19, further comprising a universal serial bus interface for interface connection with the host computing device. 21. The integrated circuit storage device of claim 20, wherein, when the host computing device activates the integrated circuit storage device, the integrated circuit storage device further: The host computing device identifies itself using the first device interface description, and After the autorun software runs automatically on the host computing device, it re-enumerates itself using the second device interface description and identifies itself to the host computing device using the second device interface description. 22. The integrated circuit storage device of claim 20, wherein the wireless component is at least one of a WiFi component or a Bluetooth radio component. 23. The integrated circuit storage device of claim 20, further comprising a common memory component that can be viewed or accessed by the user of the integrated circuit storage device. 24. An integrated circuit storage device, the integrated circuit storage device being a wireless device for transmitting protected data stored in the integrated circuit storage device, the integrated circuit storage device comprising: A wireless interface for connecting the integrated circuit storage device to the host computing device via a wireless communication connection between the host computing device and the integrated circuit storage device, wherein the host computing device is a different device from the integrated circuit storage device; Memory controller; A protected memory component storing protected data, wherein the protected data stored in the protected memory component is not accessible to the user of the integrated circuit storage device at the protected memory component but is accessible to the memory controller, and the protected data includes data or software; Wherein, the integrated circuit storage device: Connected to the host computing device via the wireless interface; Provide a device interface description to the host computing device for identifying itself to the host computing device; Access to the protected data stored in the protected memory component using the memory controller includes an authentication mechanism comprising a cryptographic algorithm implemented by the memory controller for accessing the protected data stored in the protected memory component; and When the memory controller accesses the protected data at least in part based on the authentication mechanism, the integrated circuit storage device provides the protected data from the protected memory component of the integrated circuit storage device to the host computing device. 25. The integrated circuit storage device of claim 24, wherein protecting the protected data includes storing the protected data in the protected memory component of the integrated circuit storage device, and providing the protected data from the protected memory component of the integrated circuit storage device to the host computing device by requesting the presence of the integrated circuit storage device. 26. The integrated circuit storage device of claim 24, wherein the integrated circuit storage device is a smart card, a dongle, a USB storage device, a wireless networking device, or a flash drive. 27. The integrated circuit storage device of claim 26, wherein the host computing device is at least a reader. 28. A secure method for transmitting protected data stored in an integrated circuit storage device, the integrated circuit storage device comprising: Wireless components for connecting to host computing devices. Controller Memory components, The protected memory region in the memory component stores protected data. This protected data, stored in the protected memory region, is not accessible or viewable by the user of the integrated circuit storage device but can be accessed by the controller. The protected data includes data or software. An internal memory component storing a program, the program stored in the internal memory component being executable by the controller to prevent sectors of the internal memory component from being publicly accessed; the method includes: The integrated circuit storage device is connected to the host computing device via the wireless component; The integrated circuit storage device provides a device interface description to the host computing device to identify itself to the host computing device; The controller accesses the protected data stored in the protected memory area, and the access to the protected data includes the controller operating an authentication mechanism that at least partially includes a cryptographic algorithm; and The protected data from the protected memory region of the integrated circuit storage device is provided to the host computing device; and The integrated circuit storage device provides protection for the protected data by requiring the presence of the integrated circuit storage device to provide the protected data from the protected memory region of the integrated circuit storage device to the host computing device. 29. The method of claim 28, wherein the security of the protected data is ensured by storing the protected data in the protected memory region of the integrated circuit memory device and by the authentication mechanism. 30. The method of claim 28, wherein the integrated circuit storage device is a smart card, a dongle, a USB storage device, a wireless networking device, or a USB flash drive. 31. The method of claim 28, wherein the integrated circuit storage device is implemented as a smart card, and the host computing device is at least a reader. 32. The method of claim 28, wherein the integrated circuit storage device further includes an interface for connecting the integrated circuit storage device to a reader, a port of a computing device, or a slot. 33. The method of claim 32, further comprising transmitting the protected data from the integrated circuit storage device to the computing device via the interface. 34. A wireless communication device for transmitting protected data to a host computing device, the wireless communication device comprising: A wireless component for connecting the wireless communication device to the host computing device, the host computing device being a device different from the wireless communication device; Memory controller; The internal memory includes a protected memory component that stores protected data. The protected data stored in the protected memory component is not accessible to the user of the wireless communication device at the protected memory component, but can be accessed by the memory controller. The protected data includes executable software or data. The internal memory stores programs for supporting the functions of the memory controller. The wireless communication device includes: Connected to the host computing device via the wireless component; The program stored in the internal memory is executed by the memory controller. The execution of the program by the memory controller includes accessing protected data stored in the protected memory component. Access to the protected data stored in the protected memory component includes implementing an authentication algorithm incorporating cryptographic techniques. The protected data from the protected memory component of the wireless communication device is provided to the host computing device. 35. The wireless communication device of claim 34, wherein the wireless communication device further provides a device interface description to the host computing device. 36. The wireless communication device of claim 34, wherein the security of the protected data is ensured by storing the protected data in the protected memory component of the wireless communication device and by the cryptographic technique. 37. The wireless communication device of claim 34, wherein the wireless communication device is a smart card, a dongle, a USB storage device, a wireless networking device, or a USB flash drive. 38. The wireless communication device of claim 34, further comprising an interface for connecting the wireless communication device to: a reader, a port or slot of a computing device. 39. The wireless communication device of claim 38, wherein the wireless communication device is configured to provide the protected data from the wireless communication device to the computing device via the interface and via a connection.