DATA SECURITY DEVICE

• US 20090075593A1
• Filed: 11/24/2008
• Published: 03/19/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 07/18/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Alistair Curry, Saban Demirbasa, Stephen Bloch
• Original Assignee: Alistair Curry, Saban Demirbasa, Stephen Bloch
• Inventors: Bloch, Stephen, DEMIRBASA, Saban, Curry, Alistair
• Granted Patent: US 8,224,248 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/41.200
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1427 with transmitter-receiver for distance detection
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0227 System arrangements with a plurality of child units
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0277 Communication between units on a local network, e.g. Bluetooth, piconet, zigbee, Wireless Personal Area Networks [WPAN]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/58 Message adaptation for wireless communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72412 using two-way short-range wireless interfaces

Abstract

A backup device comprising a secondary user-carried device for backing up data from a primary portable data storage device is described. The backup device includes a short-range wireless communication link, a communication interface for communicating with the primary portable data storage device over the communication link to receive data to back up and to check for removal of the primary portable data storage device and storage for storing data received over the communication link from the primary portable data storage device. A triggering device is also provided for triggering an alert procedure when the primary portable data storage device is out of range for a predetermined period.

Claims

1. Apparatus for securing a portable data storage device, the portable data storage device having an interface for connecting to a mobile telecommunications network and for communicating with a central network control centre, the portable data storage device storing data including contact and calendar information and being arranged to transmit data to the central network control centre, the portable data storage device further having a data input interface, an output display and an audible or vibrating alert, wherein the apparatus comprises:

an interface for implementing a short-range communication link with the portable data storage device;

a memory for storing data associated with the portable data storage device;

a processor operable perform a registration procedure to register with the portable data storage device, wherein registering comprises receiving a unique identifier associated with the portable data storage device and storing the unique identifier in the memory;

the processor further operable to implement an operational mode by communicating with the portable data storage device via the interface at a predetermined interval;

a monitoring component for detecting breakdown of the short-range communication link;

wherein the processor is further operable to initiate an alert procedure on detection of a breakdown of the short-range communication link; and

wherein the alert procedure comprises rendering the portable data storage device at least partially inoperable on initiation of the alert procedure.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the alert procedure comprises disabling the keypad of the portable data storage device.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the data associated with the portable data storage device comprises a security setting for the portable data storage device.

4. Apparatus according to claim 1 comprising a housing comprising the interface, the memory and the processor and further comprising a battery.

5. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the apparatus includes smartcard functionality.

6. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the processor is further operable to cancel the alert procedure on receipt of user input.

7. Apparatus according to claim 6 wherein the user input is received via the interface for implementing a short-range communication link.

8. Apparatus according to claim 6 wherein the user input comprises a password or code.

9. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the interface comprises a BlueTooth™

interface.

10. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the data associated with the portable data storage device comprises profile data for the portable data storage device.

11. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the short-range communication link has a range of less than 10 metres.

12. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the processor is further operable to vary the predetermined interval on receipt of a user-defined interval length.

13. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the apparatus has limited or no user input functionality.

14. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the alert procedure comprises alerting a network to the breakdown of the short-range communication link.

15. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the alert procedure comprises triggering the audible or vibrating alert of the portable data storage device.

16. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the alert procedure comprises displaying an alert message on the output display of the portable data storage device.

17. A portable data storage device comprising:

an interface for connecting to a mobile telecommunications network and for communicating with a central network control centre to transmit data to the central network control centre;

a data input interface for receiving data from a user;

an output display for displaying data to a user;

an audible or vibrating alert;

an interface for implementing a short-range communication link with a backup security device;

a memory for storing data including contact and calendar information and data for transmission to the backup security device;

a processor operable to perform a registration procedure to register the backup security device, wherein registering comprises transmitting a unique identifier associated with the portable data storage device;

the processor further operable to implement an operational mode by communicating with the backup security device via the interface at a predetermined interval;

a monitoring component for detecting breakdown of the short-range communication link;

wherein the processor is further operable to initiate an alert procedure on detection of a breakdown of the short-range communication link; and

wherein the alert procedure comprises rendering the portable data storage device at least partially inoperable on initiation of the alert procedure.

18. A method of securing a portable data storage device, the portable data storage device having an interface for connecting to a mobile telecommunications network and for communicating with a central network control centre, the portable data storage device storing data including contact and calendar information and being arranged to transmit data to the central network control centre, the portable data storage device further having a data input interface, an output display and an audible or vibrating alert, the method comprising:

providing a short-range communication link between the portable data storage device and a backup security device;

registering the backup security device with the portable data storage device in a registration procedure, wherein registering comprises receiving at the backup security device a unique identifier associated with the portable data storage device and storing the unique identifier at the backup security device;

communicating periodically between the portable data storage device and the backup device via the short-range communication link at a predetermined interval;

detecting breakdown of the short-range communication link;

initiating an alert procedure on detection of a breakdown of the short-range communication link; and

wherein the alert procedure comprises rendering the portable data storage device at least partially inoperable on initiation of the alert procedure.