Data security device

• US 8,224,248 B2
• Filed: 11/24/2008
• Issued: 07/17/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 07/18/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Data Transfer & Communications Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Data Transfer & Communications Ltd.
• Inventors: Demirbasa, Saban, Bloch, Stephen, Curry, Alistair
• Primary Examiner(s): Maung, Nay A
• Assistant Examiner(s): Fleming-Hall, Erica
• Application Number:
  US12/276,541
• Publication Number:
  US 20090075593A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,331 Days
• Field of Search: 455/41.2, 455/100, 726/4, 707/204, 709/246
• US Class Current: 455/41.2
• 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. A portable data storage device comprising:

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

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 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 having 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 communicating with the backup security device via the interface to transmit the unique identifier at a predetermined interval, wherein the predetermined interval is user defined or selected from a range of intervals;

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

wherein the processor, when operable, further initiates 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.

4. The portable data storage device according to claim 1, wherein the portable data storage device and the backup security device are preregistered over the mobile telecommunications network before a secure pairing is created between the portable data storage device and the backup security device.

5. The portable data storage device according to claim 1, wherein the portable data storage device preregisters the backup device using a first key code input by a user and wherein a secure pairing is created using a second key code input by a user.

2. 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 center, the portable data storage device storing data including contact and calendar information and being arranged to transmit data to the central network control center, 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 the unique identifier periodically between the portable data storage device and the backup security device, when operable, via the short-range communication link at a predetermined interval, wherein the predetermined interval is user defined or selected from a range of intervals;

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.

3. The method of securing the portable data storage device of claim 2, wherein the portable storage device and the backup device are preregistered using a first key code and a secure pairing is created using a second key code.