Base station/data storage

• US 20020111190A1
• Filed: 01/23/2002
• Published: 08/15/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 01/24/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Harrison, Keith Alexander, Lawman, Matthew John
• Application Number:
  US10/053,522
• Publication Number:
  US 20020111190A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/557
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/1456 Hardware arrangements for backup

Abstract

A base station (data safe) is provided for storing data from a portable data storage device, typically a personal digital assistant (PDA). The base station includes a data storage device and a power supply. The PDA downloads data into the storage device and recharges an internal power source from the power supply The data is stored in the base station, as a back-up of the data on the PDA.

Claims

1. A base station for safekeeping of data, the base station composing a power source, a data storage device and an interface, wherein the interface is operable to transfer data from a portable data-holding device to the data storage device for storing the data in said device, and the power sore is operable to recharge a power source of he portable data-holding device.

2. A base station as claimed in claim 1, adapted to receive the portable data-holding device.

3. A base station as claimed in claim 1, wherein the data storage device has a data storage capacity of n×

a data storage capacity of the portable data-holding device, n being an integer.

4. A base station as claimed in claim 1, wherein the data storage device is operable to store multiple downloads from the portable data-holding device.

5. A base station as claimed in claim 1, the base station being portable.

6. A base station as claimed claim 1, operable to upload and download data from. the portable data-holding device.

7. A base station as claimed in claim 1, having no moving parts.

11. A combination comprising a base station as claimed in claim 1 and a portable data-holding device receivable by the base station, data being transferable between the portable data-holding device and the base station.

12. A combination as claimed in claim 11, wherein the base station occupies a slightly larger area than one face of the portable data-holding device.

13. A combination as claimed in claim 11, wherein the base station is adapted to recognise a coded identifier associated with a specific said portable data-holding device.

14. A combination as claimed in claim 13, wherein data stored on the specific said portable data-holding device is backed up to a corresponding specific portion of the data storage device, in use.

15. A combination as claimed in claim 11, wherein a user of a specific said portable data-holding device is assigned a personal identification number (PIN).

16. A combination as claimed in claim 15, wherein the PIN determines which specific portion of the data storage device receives the user'"'"'s back up, in use.

17. A combination as claimed in claim 11, wherein a coded identifier and a PIN are required to transfer data between the portable data-holding device and the base station.

8. A method of data back-up comprising:

a) providing a data safe;

b) coupling a portable data-containing device to the data safe;

c) downloading data from the portable data-containing device to the data safe; and

d) recharging a power source of the portable data-containing device using a power source associated with the data safe.

9. A method as claimed in claim 8, comprising prompting a user of the device to indicate whether to back-up the data.

10. A method of data preservation comprising:

a) providing a small data safe;

b) downloading data from a portable data-holding device to the data safe as a default condition when the portable device and the data safe are coupled, or at least as a condition involving no more user input tan does not downloading; and

c) recharging a battery of the portable data-holding device when said device and the data safe are coupled.

18. Means for backing up data, comprising:

a) means for safekeeping data;

b) means for coupling a portable data-containing device to the means for safekeeping data;

c) means for downloading data from the portable data-containing device to the means for safekeeping data; and

d) means for recharging a power source of the portable data-containing device using a power source associated with the mean s for safekeeping data.

19. Means for preserving data, comprising:

a) data-safe means for safekeeping data;

b) means for downloading data from a portable means for holding data to the data safe means as a default condition when the portable means and the data safe means are coupled, or at least as a condition involving no more user input than does not downloading; and

c) means for recharging a battery of the portable means for holding data when said portable means and the data safe are coupled.