Personal digital asset manager

• US 20100134247A1
• Filed: 12/01/2008
• Published: 06/03/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/01/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: David L. Payne, Douglas G. Lockie, Douglas Sallen, Edward F. Tuck, James R. Stuart, Michael Keddington, Thomas N. Giaccherini
• Original Assignee: David L. Payne, Douglas G. Lockie, Douglas Sallen, Edward F. Tuck, James R. Stuart, Michael Keddington, Thomas N. Giaccherini
• Inventors: Keddington, Michael, Payne, David L., Lockie, Douglas G., Tuck, Edward F., Giaccherini, Thomas N., Sallen, Douglas, Stuart, James R.
• Granted Patent: US 8,614,623 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/5.830
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/32 using biometric data, e.g. fingerprints, iris scans or voiceprints
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/6245 Protecting personal data, e.g. for financial or medical purposes
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/6272 by registering files or documents with a third party
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2149 Restricted operating environment

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for a Personal Digital Asset Manager are disclosed. One embodiment of the present invention is a miniature electronic device, which functions as a fully-powered personal computer, which stores digital files and content, and which communicates wirelessly with external input and output devices and a network such as the Internet. In one embodiment, the present invention may be carried in a pocket or purse, clipped on a belt or incorporated into a pair of glasses.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a housing;

a central processing unit means for processing a plurality of digital signals;

said central processing unit being located generally within said housing;

a memory means for storing digital information;

said memory means being coupled to said central processing unit, and being located generally within said housing;

a biometric means for authenticating the identity of a user;

said biometric means being coupled to said central processing unit means;

said biometric means being affixed to said housing;

a first wireless means for providing a wireless connection to a peripheral device;

said wireless means being connected to said central processing unit means;

said peripheral device being located outside of, separate and apart from said housing; and

a second wireless means for providing a wireless connection to a network;

said second wireless means being connected to said central processing unit means.

2. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, in which said memory means is a solid state memory.

3. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, in which said memory means is a flash memory.

4. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, in which said digital information includes an operating system.

5. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, in which said digital information includes a software application.

6. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, in which said digital information includes a computer file.

7. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, in which said digital information includes an audio file.

8. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, in which said digital information includes a digital photo.

9. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, in which said digital information includes a video file.

10. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, in which said biometric means is a fingerprint reader.

11. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising a communication safeguard means

12. An apparatus as recited in claim 11, in which said communication safeguard means includes encryption.

13. An apparatus as recited in claim 11, in which said communication safeguard means includes key protection.

14. An apparatus as recited in claim 11, in which said communication safeguard means includes UltraSecure protection.

15. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, in which said wireless means is a USB connector.

16. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, in which said wireless means is a radio.

17. An apparatus as recited in claim 16, in which said radio operates is a WiFi radio.

18. An apparatus as recited in claim 16, in which said radio operates is a BlueTooth radio.

19. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, in which said radio operates using frequency bands which are generally above 60 GHz.

20. A method as recited in claim 19, in which the digital information stored on one of said personal digital asset managers is automatically backed up when an Internet connection is available.

27. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, in which said housing is adapted to clip on to a keyring.

28. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising a display.

29. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising a keyboard.

30. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising a pointing device.

31. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising a mouse.

32. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising a camera.

33. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising a printer.

34. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising a speaker.

35. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising a microphone.

36. An apparatus as recited in claim 16, in which said radio operates is a WiMAX radio.

37. An apparatus as recited in claim 16, in which said radio uses cellular telephone frequencies.

38. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising a voice recognition circuit.

39. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising a speech synthesis circuit.

40. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising a power adapter.

41. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising a battery charger.

42. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, which is used for automatic content backup.

43. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, which is used as a transaction terminal.

44. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising a cellular telephone, said cellular telephone including a keyboard and a display.

45. An apparatus as recited in claim 44, in which said keyboard and said display on said cellular telephone are used to as input devices.

46. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, which is built into a pair of eyeglasses.

47. An apparatus as recited in claim 46, further comprising a brain wave sensor that provides control functions.

48. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, which is activated by pressing said biometric means.

49. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, which is activated by applying the correct user'"'"'s fingerprint to said biometric means.

50. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, which identifies its user by skin odor.

51. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, which is used to communicate wirelessly with an external input device.

52. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, which is used to communicate wirelessly with an external output device.

53. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, which is used to communicate wirelessly with an external network.

54. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, which is used as a personal computer.

55. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, which is used as a cellular telephone.

56. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising a bar code scanner.

57. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising a navigation device.

58. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising a social networking device.

59. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, which is used as a key.

60. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising a radio frequency identification reader.

61. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, which is used as a health monitor.

62. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, which is used as a pedometer.

63. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, which is used to view content.

64. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, which is used to view a movie.

65. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, which is used to view a photo.

66. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, which is used to play a game.

67. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, which is used to visit a website.

68. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, which may be easily replaced with an automatically backed up replacement unit.

69. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, which is used to keep track of a search.

70. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, which is used to store user preferences.

71. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, which is used to keep track of a content library.

72. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, which is used to keep track of a plurality of downloads.

73. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, which is used to create a secure group for safe communication.

74. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, which is used to monitor content viewing by a child.

75. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, which is used to monitor a child'"'"'s communication.

76. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, which is used as an electronic backpack.

77. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, which is used to create a secure group for safe communication.

78. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, which is used to monitor content viewing by a child.

79. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, which is used to monitor a child'"'"'s communication.

80. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, which is used as an electronic backpack.

81. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, which is used to organize digital information.

82. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, which is used to organize a plurality of identities.

83. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, which is used to organize a plurality of profiles.

84. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, which is used by an administrator to control a plurality of partitions.

85. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, which is used as a single sign-on and device access manager.

86. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, which is used as a knowledge manager.

87. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, which is used as a search analyzer.

88. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, which is used as a web log.

89. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, which is used as an e-mail log.

90. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, which is used as a single sign-on and device access manager.

91. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, which is used to audit files.

92. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, which is used to create a mirrored backup.

93. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, which is used to decouple co-mingling of data.

94. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, which is used to decouple co-mingling of a plurality of identities.

95. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising

a host computer;

a peripheral device;

said peripheral device being connected to said host computer; and

a transceiver;

said transceiver being connected to said host computer;

said transceiver being used to convey signals to said host computer to provide remote use of said peripheral device.

96. An apparatus as recited in claim 95, in which said transceiver is a Bluetooth transceiver.

97. An apparatus as recited in claim 95, in which said transceiver is a WiFi transceiver.

98. An apparatus as recited in claim 95, in which said transceiver is a wireless access point.

99. An apparatus as recited in claim 95, in which said transceiver connects to said host computer using a USB port.

21. A method comprising the steps of:

providing a personal digital asset manager;

said personal digital asset manager including

a central processing unit for processing a plurality of digital signals;

a memory means for storing digital information;

said memory means being coupled to said central processing unit;

a biometric means for authenticating the identity of a user;

said biometric means being coupled to said central processing unit;

an UltraSecure means for providing bilateral security;

said UltraSecure means being connected to said central processor unit; and

a wireless means for providing a wireless link to a peripheral device and to a network;

said wireless means being connected to said central processing unit;

providing a remote server; and

communicating over said network between said remote server and said personal digital asset manager.

22. A method as recited in claim 21, further comprising the step of:

defining a set of digital privilege rules for said personal digital asset manager.

23. A method as recited in claim 21, in which said set of digital privilege rules is defined by an administrator who has access to said remote server.

24. A method as recited in claim 21, in which said set of digital privilege rules are used to regulate communications concerning said personal digital asset manager.

25. A method as recited in claim 21, further comprising the step of:

creating a Dynamic Partition in said memory.

26. A method as recited in claim 21, further comprising the step of:

providing said personal digital asset manager as a web service.