Device, System And Method For Data Exchange

• US 20070204000A1
• Filed: 05/02/2007
• Published: 08/30/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 02/28/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Woden Technologies Inc. (Wi-LAN Inc.)
• Original Assignee: SanDisk IL Ltd. (Western Digital Corporation)
• Inventors: Moran, Dov
• Application Number:
  US11/743,154
• Publication Number:
  US 20070204000A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/212
• CPC Class Codes: G11C 7/10 Input/output [I/O] data interface arrangements, e.g. I/O data control circuits, I/O data buffers

Abstract

A device, a method and a system for portable data storage and transfer through a simplified device interface. The operations of the device are restricted, in order to increase the ease of use of the device, and in order to provide certain core functions. These core functions include reading data, writing data and exchanging data with a similar device and/or with an external computer. The device features a minimal set of hardware components for accomplishing these functions, such as a data processor of some type, a memory storage medium or media, and a data exchange mechanism, which may optionally be an infrared port for example.

Claims

1. A portable device for device-to-device data transfer, comprising:

(a) a non-volatile memory for storing the data; and

(b) a device interface for enabling the data to be transferred between the portable device and another portable device;

wherein operations of both the portable device and said other portable device, with respect to the data, are restricted to data storage and transfer;

wherein the portable device is operative to function as a stand alone device while exchanging the data with said other portable device;

wherein data transfer with said non-volatile memory is controlled according to at least one instruction; and

wherein data stored on said non-volatile memory is marked according to type, such that said at least one instruction selects data for transfer according to said type.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein said type is marked only upon initial storage of the data.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein said type is alterable after initial storage of the data.

6. The device of claim 1 wherein said device interface is connectable to a communication port of a computer, and said type is marked upon transfer of data from said computer to said non-volatile memory.

2. A portable device for device-to-device data transfer, comprising:

(a) a non-volatile memory for storing the data;

(b) a device interface for enabling the data to be transferred between the portable device and another portable device;

(c) a logic for executing at least one instruction for controlling said transfer of the data; and

(d) a signaling device for transmitting a signal to another portable device, said signal requesting transfer of data;

wherein operations of both the portable device and said other portable device, with respect to the data, are restricted to data storage and transfer;

wherein the portable device is operative to function as a stand alone device while exchanging the data with said other portable device;

wherein transfer of data is automatically initiated upon detection of said other portable device, according to said at least one instruction for controlling data transfer; and

wherein data stored on said non-volatile memory is marked according to type, such that said at least one instruction selects data for transfer according to said type and such that automatic transfer is initiated only for at least one selected type of data.

3. A portable device for device-to-device data transfer, comprising:

(a) a non-volatile memory for storing the data; and

(b) a device interface for enabling the data to be transferred between the portable device and another portable device;

wherein operations of both the portable device and said other portable device, with respect to the data, are restricted to data storage and transfer;

wherein data transfer with said non-volatile memory is controlled according to at least one instruction; and

wherein the data stored on said non-volatile memory is marked according to type, such that said at least one instruction selects data for transfer according to said type.