StorCard Inc., has developed both the
StorCard and StorPod products. StorCard is convenient
and secure portable storage media in a credit card form
factor. StorPod is a compact electronic reader used
to read and record information on individual StorCards.
The patent-protected designs of the StorCard and StorPod
combine the best features of smart card, disk
and security technologies into a new generation of
secure portable storage.
StorCard
The
StorCard has the flexibility and form factor of a credit
card and conforms to ISO 7816-1 including mechanical
flexibility along the longitudinal and transverse axis
without damage to the IC or the magnetic recording
medium. A semiconductor device is mounted on the card
similar in construction to the Smart Card. This
electronic chip controls the flow of data to and from
the card. A flexible magnetic disk is housed inside a
cavity created between the top and bottom layers of the
card. The StorCard is a laminated structure, with the
layers made up of plastic and metal sheets. The outer
surfaces of the card have artwork that can be
personalized similar to a credit card. A window is
provided on the bottom and a shutter that slides between
the layers of the card, backs this window sealing the
disk enclosure. An external mechanism (in the StorPod)
can actuate this shutter opening the window and
providing access to the recording disk. When the
StorCard is outside the StorPod, the shutter is
locked and cannot be opened without special tools.
StorPod
A
reader mechanism, StorPod, is required to record and
playback information from the StorCard similar to a
floppy disk drive. The StorPod has electromechanical
components such as a 3600 RPM spindle motor, and rotary
actuator to spin the flexible disk and position the
recording head over the disk surface. Electronics in the
StorPod provide the host interface and control
functions necessary to record and playback information
to and from the StorCard. Standard Smart Cards can be
read in the StorPod. The StorPod is constructed as an external unit with a USB interface.
Encryption
The
electronic chip on the StorCard provides the logic that
allows the card to operate in a standard Smart Card
reader or in the StorPod, using Java Card, Multos or
other Smart Card operating system. There are two types
of cryptography logic; a PKI system providing
authentication logic, and a block encryption algorithm,
such as AES. The encryption keys for both the
cryptography engines (supporting 1024 bit keys) are
stored in local RAM, which is not accessible external to
the card. All data on the StorCard's recording disk is
encrypted and block encryption is done
"on-the-fly". Decryption of this data occurs
on the StorCard only upon validation by the
authentication logic. Consequently, if the card is lost
the stored information is protected.
Performance
The
StorCard architecture delivers a high level of system
performance. Data can be transferred from the card to
the reader and delivered to the host or client at 5MB
per second with the 100MB product, and will scale with
higher-capacity designs. In addition, encryption is done
on-the-fly, which frees up the host for other time
consuming operations. The card can also authenticate
users and their data with involvement from a client or
host.
Compatibility
The StorCard conforms to
ISO 7816-1 (Smart Card standard) including mechanical
flexibility along the longitudinal and transverse axis
without damage to the IC or the magnetic recording
medium. The communication protocol is per the standard
Smart Card Interface (ISO 7816-2 & 3) and via a
unique bus implemented in the StorPod. ISO 7816
communication speed is 9600 baud, while the StorPod supports a sustained data transfer rate of 5 megabytes
per second in the 100 megabyte StorCard, and scales in
the 5 gigabyte design. Furthermore, standard Smart Cards
can be inserted and read in the StorPod.
As with
conventional credit cards, a signature space and
magnetic stripe are options provided on the back.
Consequently, a StorCard can be swiped through existing
magstripe readers and interface with existing
applications and systems.
StorCard
StorPod