Protected Digital Storage Device

• US 20120255039A1
• Filed: 03/31/2011
• Published: 10/04/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/2011
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Keith Sipes
• Original Assignee: Keith Sipes
• Inventors: Sipes, Keith
• Application Number:
  US13/076,588
• Publication Number:
  US 20120255039A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 726/35
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/1456 Hardware arrangements for backup
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/1464 for networked environments
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/86 Secure or tamper-resistant housings

Abstract

A protected data storage device that protects data from a wireless computer network from theft and environmental conditions includes a housing having front, rear, top, and bottom walls each constructed of a rigid, fire resistant material, the housing defining an interior area. A digital storage unit is positioned in the housing interior area. A processor is situated in the housing interior area in data communication with the digital storage unit. A wireless receiver is coupled to an outer surface of a respective housing wall in data communication with the storage unit and processor. Programming in data communication with the processor causes the processor to actuate the receiver to receive data signals from the wireless network and store received data in the storage unit.

Claims

1. A protected data storage device that protects data from a wireless computer network from theft and environmental conditions, comprising:

a housing having front, rear, top, bottom, and side walls each constructed of a rigid, fire resistant material, said housing defining an interior area;

a digital storage unit positioned in said housing interior area;

a processor situated in said housing interior area in data communication with said digital storage unit;

a wireless receiver coupled to an outer surface of a respective housing wall in data communication with said storage unit and said processor;

a power source electrically connected to said processor, said storage unit, and said receiver;

a plurality of programming instructions stored in said storage unit and which, when executed by said processor, cause said processor to;

actuate said receiver to receive data signals from the wireless network;

store said received data signals in said storage unit.

2. The protected storage device of claim 1, further comprising at least one bracket situated on said outer surface of said respective housing wall that is configured to selectively secure said housing to a building structure.

3. The protected storage device of claim 1, further comprising a locator beacon situated in said housing interior area and electrically connected to said power source, said locator beacon being configured to transmit intermittent location signals.

4. The protected storage device of claim 1, wherein said housing walls are constructed of steel.

5. The protected storage device of claim 1, wherein said housing includes a door pivotally coupled to said front wall, said door being movable between a closed configuration prohibiting access to said housing interior area and an open configuration providing access to said housing interior area.

6. The protected storage device of claim 5, further comprising a lock operatively coupled to said housing door configured to provide access to said housing interior area to authorized persons.

7. The protected storage device of claim 1, wherein said rigid and fire resistant material is also water resistant.

8. The protected storage device of claim 7, wherein said power source is A/C electrical power.

9. The protected storage device of claim 8, further comprising an auxiliary power source connected to said power source, said auxiliary power source being a battery.

10. The protected storage device of claim 1, further comprising programming instructions that, when executed by said processor, cause said processor to:

receive security signals from a remote security system;

if said security signals received from said remote security system are indicative of an emergency, immediately actuate said receiver to receive data signals from the wireless network;

store said received data signals in said storage unit.

11. The protected storage device as in claim 1, further comprising:

a transmitter situated in said housing interior area and in data communication with said processor;

wherein said programming instructions, when executed by said processor cause said processor to;

receive security signals from a remote security system;

if said security signals received from said remote security system are indicative of an emergency, actuate said transmitter to transmit a backup request signal configured to prompt computers connected to the wireless network to immediately transmit data signals to be backed up;

if said transmitter has transmitted a backup request signal, actuate said receiver to receive data signals from the wireless network; and

store said received data signals in said storage unit.

12. The protected storage device of claim 1 further comprising:

a heat sensor situated outside said housing interior area and in data communication with processor;

a transmitter situated in said housing interior area and in data communication with said processor;

wherein said programming instructions, when executed by said processor, cause said processor to;

if said heat sensor indicates a predetermined temperature, actuate said transmitter to transmit a backup request signal configured to prompt computers connected to the wireless network to immediately transmit data signals to be backed up;

if said transmitter has transmitted a backup request signal, actuate said receiver to receive data signals from the wireless network; and

store said received data signals in said storage unit.

13. The protected storage device of claim 12, further comprising:

a moisture sensor situated outside said housing interior area and in data communication with processor;

wherein said programming instructions, when executed by said processor, cause said processor to;

if said moisture sensor indicates a predetermined moisture level, actuate said transmitter to transmit a backup request signal configured to prompt computers connected to the wireless network to immediately transmit data signals to be backed up;

if said transmitter has transmitted a backup request signal, actuate said receiver to receive data signals from the wireless network; and

store said received data signals in said storage unit.

14. The protected storage device of claim 1, further comprising:

a moisture sensor situated outside said housing interior area and in data communication with processor;

a transmitter situated in said housing interior area and in data communication with said processor;

wherein said programming instructions, when executed by said processor, cause said processor to;

if said moisture sensor indicates a predetermined moisture level, actuate said transmitter to transmit a backup request signal configured to prompt computers connected to the wireless network to immediately transmit data signals to be backed up;

if said transmitter has transmitted a backup request signal, actuate said receiver to receive data signals from the wireless network; and

store said received data signals in said storage unit.

15. The protected storage device of claim 1, further comprising:

a heat sensor situated outside said housing interior area and in data communication with processor;

a transmitter situated in said housing interior area and in data communication with said processor;

wherein said programming instructions, when executed by said processor, cause said processor to;

if said heat sensor indicates a predetermined temperature, actuate said transmitter to transmit an emergency alert signal configured to prompt a security system to take emergency alert actions.

16. The protected storage device of claim 1, further comprising:

a moisture sensor situated outside said housing interior area and in data communication with processor;

a transmitter situated in said housing interior area and in data communication with said processor;

wherein said programming instructions, when executed by said processor, cause said processor to;

if said moisture sensor indicates a predetermined moisture level, actuate said transmitter to transmit an emergency alert signal configured to prompt a security system to take emergency alert actions.

17. The protected storage device as in claim 1, further comprising:

at least one bracket situated on said outer surface of said respective housing wall that is configured to selectively secure said housing to a building structure;

a locator beacon situated in said housing interior area and electrically connected to said power source, said locator beacon being configured to transmit intermittent location signals;

wherein;

said housing walls are constructed of steel;

said housing includes a door pivotally coupled to said front wall, said door being movable between a closed configuration prohibiting access to said housing interior area and an open configuration providing access to said housing interior area;

said door includes a lock configured to provide access to said housing interior area only to authorized persons;

said rigid and fire resistant material is also water resistant; and

said power source is an A/C electrical power.

18. The protected storage device of claim 17 further comprising an auxiliary power source connected to said power source, said auxiliary power source being a battery.

19. The protected storage device of claim 18, further comprising programming instructions that, when executed by said processor, cause said processor to:

receive security signals from a remote security system;

if said security signals received from a remote security system are indicative of an emergency, immediately actuate said receiver to receive data signals from the wireless network;

store said received data signals in said storage unit.

20. The protected storage device as in claim 19, further comprising:

a transmitter situated in said housing interior area and in data communication with said processor;

wherein said programming instructions, when executed by said processor cause said processor to;

receive security signals from a remote security system;

if said security signals received from a remote security system are indicative of an emergency, actuate said transmitter to transmit a backup request signal configured to prompt computers connected to the wireless network to immediately transmit data signals to be backed up;

if said transmitter has transmitted a backup request signal, actuate said receiver to receive data signals from the wireless network; and

store said received data signals in said storage unit.