US 8484736

US patent 8484736, titled "Storage device having an anti-malware protection," was filed on June 6, 2008, and issued on July 9, 2013. The inventors are Judah Gamliel Hahn and Yaakov Ben-Tsvi. The original assignee was SanDisk IL Ltd, with the current assignee listed as SanDisk Technologies LLC.

Abstract:
The patent describes a storage device equipped with anti-malware protection. This protection operates by having a security processor in the storage device function in a "security" mode when interfaced with a host device. In this mode, the security processor filters commands received from the host device and directed to the storage controller. Once the security processor determines that the "security" mode is no longer necessary, it transitions to a "safe" mode, where it ceases to filter commands and instead forwards them unfiltered to the storage controller.

Independent Claims Overview:

• Claim 1 (Method Claim): This claim describes a method for protecting a storage device when it's connected to a host device.

  • Initial Security Mode: Upon initialization, the storage device operates in a "security" mode.
  • Command Reception and Anti-Virus Check: The security processor receives a command from the host device and checks if it contains an indication that an anti-virus application is running on the host.
  • Transition to Safe Mode: If such an indication is present, the device transitions to a "safe" mode.
  • Security Threat Determination (if no anti-virus indication): If there is no anti-virus indication, the security processor determines if the received command poses a security threat.
  • Handling Security Threats: If a threat is detected, the command is logged in a command alert log (CAL), stored in a volatile memory within the storage area, blocked from reaching the storage controller, and the host is notified that the command was "executed as expected."
  • Handling Non-Threatening Commands: If no security threat is detected, the command is passed directly to the storage controller.
  • Safe Mode Operation: In the "safe" mode, the security processor forwards all commands from the host to the storage controller without filtering them.

• Claim 18 (Apparatus Claim): This claim describes a data storage device designed to implement the protection method.

  • Components: The device includes a host interface, a memory for storing data, a storage controller for managing the memory and responding to host commands, and a security processor.
  • Security Processor Functionality (Security Mode): While in "security" mode, the security processor is configured to:
    • Receive commands from the host.
    • Determine if the command includes an indication from the host that an anti-virus application is running.
    • Transition to "safe" mode if the indication is present.
    • Determine if a command poses a security threat when no anti-virus indication is present.
    • If a security threat is identified, log the command in a CAL, store it in volatile memory, block it from the storage controller, and notify the host that the command was "executed as expected."
    • Pass non-threatening commands to the storage controller.
  • Security Processor Functionality (Safe Mode): While in "safe" mode, the security processor is configured to forward all host commands to the storage controller without filtering.

CAFC 2026 Dockets:
A search of CAFC 2026 dockets for patent number 8484736 did not return any specific results. Therefore, there is no authoritative information currently available regarding active litigation for this patent in the CAFC for the year 2026.