Method for creating an encrypted back-up file and method for restoring data from a back-up file in a pocket PC

• US 20070180268A1
• Filed: 07/21/2006
• Published: 08/02/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 07/22/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Fujitsu Siemens Computers GmbH (Fujitsu Limited)
• Original Assignee: Fujitsu Siemens Computers GmbH (Fujitsu Limited)
• Inventors: Muller, Stephan, Filimon, Diana
• Application Number:
  US11/490,494
• Publication Number:
  US 20070180268A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 713/192
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/1441 Resetting or repowering
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/6209 to a single file or object, e.g. in a secure envelope, encrypted and accessed using a key, or with access control rules appended to the object itself
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/73 by creating or determining hardware identification, e.g. serial numbers
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2131 Lost password, e.g. recovery of lost or forgotten passwords

Abstract

A password that is stored in the BIOS and/or operating system of the pocket PC is used to encrypt/decrypt the back-up file. By using the password, which is already present, for example in connection with access protection, the requirement of the user entering a key can be eliminated without having to dispense with the advantages of an encrypted back-up file.

Claims

1. A method for encrypting a back-up file in a pocket PC, comprising:

determining a password in the pocket PC;

adopting the password as a key; and

encrypting a back-up file using the key.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the password is the password associated with access protection for the pocket PC.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the password is stored in the basic input output system (BIOS) of the pocket PC.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the password is stored in the operating system of the pocket PC.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the password comprises a device-dependent part and a device-independent part, and wherein only the device-independent part of the password is used for encryption.

6. A method for restoring data from an encrypted back-up file in a pocket PC, comprising:

determining a password in the pocket PC;

adopting the password as a key; and

decrypting a back-up file using the key.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising:

determining whether the decryption of the back-up file using the key was successful;

requesting a user to enter a key;

reading in the key entered by the user; and

decrypting the back-up file using the key entered by the user.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein the password is associated with access protection for the pocket PC.

9. The method of claim 6, wherein the password is stored in the basic input output system (BIOS) of the pocket PC.

10. The method of claim 6, wherein the password is stored in the operating system of the pocket PC.

11. A pocket PC that is configured to create an encrypted back-up file, wherein the pocket PC is operable to determine a password in the pocket PC, adopt the password as a key, and encrypt the back-up file using the key.

12. The pocket PC of claim 11, further comprising a volatile memory from which data is backed up, and a non-volatile storage medium in which the encrypted back-up file is stored.

13. A pocket PC that is configured to restore data from an encrypted back-up file, wherein the pocket PC is operable to determine a password in the pocket PC, adopt the password as a key, and decrypt the back-up file using the key.

14. A computer readable medium storing instructions, that when executed by a pocket PC, cause the pocket PC to perform the functions of:

determining a password in the pocket PC;

adopting the password as a key; and

encrypting a back-up file using the key.

15. A computer readable medium storing instructions, that when executed by a pocket PC, cause the pocket PC to perform the functions of:

determining a password in the pocket PC;

adopting the password as a key; and

decrypting a back-up file using the key.