Devices and methods for data transfer during charging of a portable device

• US 8,565,729 B2
• Filed: 01/30/2008
• Issued: 10/22/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 01/30/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Google Technology Holdings LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Motorola Mobility LLC (Lenovo Group Ltd.)
• Inventors: Moseler, Kathy, Brenner, David S., Neuzil, Dale S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Georgewill, Opiribo
• Application Number:
  US12/022,247
• Publication Number:
  US 20090191925A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,092 Days
• Field of Search: 455/573, 455/572, 455/557, 455/412.1, 455/414.1, 707/621, 707/610, 707/622
• US Class Current: 455/412.1
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00036 Charger exchanging data with battery
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00047 with provisions for charging different types of batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/2757 by data transmission, e.g. downloading
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72406 by software upgrading or downloading
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72409 by interfacing with external accessories hands-free H04M1/60
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72412 using two-way short-range wireless interfaces

Abstract

Described below are methods and devices to automatically effect data transfer, for example for backing up data of a device, between a mobile communication device and another device, upon detection by the mobile communication device of charging current received for example from a charger. When a charger or a charging current is detected, the mobile device detects what connectivity links, such as for example, USB, Bluetooth, and/or WiFi, are available between the mobile device and another device. An automated process selects an appropriate connectivity link and then initiates one or two-way transfer of data over the automatically selected connectivity link according to the data transfer rules set by the user or by a default mechanism or algorithm. In this manner backup and/or update of data may take place automatically upon connection of a user'"'"'s mobile communication device to a source of charging current.

Claims

1. A portable device configured to store data, comprising:

a controller configured to execute application instructions;

a power source configured to receive a charging current;

a memory coupled to the controller and configured to store data and applications;

a connectivity link determination application configured to determine at least one connectivity link for data transfer between the device and a plurality of other devices;

a charge detector configured to detect a charging current to recharge the power source of the device;

a data transfer rules setup application to receive rules input to govern data transfer between the device and a stationary device in communication with the device by the at least one connectivity link; and

a data exchange initiator configured to activate data exchange between the device and at least one of a plurality of other devices, based on;

detection of a charging current to recharge the power source of the device;

a charger detection handshake module in the portable device sending an indication of charging current being applied the portable device to the stationary device; and

a data transfer initiator module in the stationary device initiating the data exchange from the portable device after receiving the indication of charger of charging current being applied the portable device from the portable device.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the connectivity link determination application is configured to determine a connectivity link for data transfer based on at least one of an algorithm and predefined criteria.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one connectivity link is a wireless link.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein a connectivity link comprises at least one of a cellular link, internet link, USB link, a Bluetooth link, a WiMAX link, a UWB link, or a WiFi link.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the charge detector is further configured to detect the presence of an external source of charging current.

19. The device of claim 1, wherein the data exchange initiator is further configured to initiate data exchange between the device and the at least one of the plurality of other devices, based on one or more data transfer rules, wherein the data transfer rules indicate some data of the portable device is to be transmitted to a first of the plurality devices and other data of the portable device is to be transmitted to a second of the plurality of devices.

6. A data transfer apparatus, comprising:

a controller configured to execute instructions;

a power source configured to receive a charging current;

a memory coupled to the controller and configured to store data and instruction modules;

a data transfer rules module stored in memory and configured to process data transfer between devices of the apparatus;

a data transfer rules setup application to receive rules input governing of data to another device;

a charger detector module, configured to monitor the presence of a charging current;

a charge initiator module configured to initiate charging of the power source upon detection of a charging current;

a charger detection handshake module configured to send an indication from a first to a second device indicating that a charging current has been detected at the power source, the second device in communication with the charger detection handshake module by at least one connectivity link;

a connectivity detector module configured to detect the at least one connectivity link between devices of the apparatus;

a connectivity selector module configured to select a connectivity link to use for data transfer in accordance with an automated selection determination; and

a data transfer initiator module in the second device and configured to initiate data transfer from the first device, in accordance with the rules input, based on detection of a charging current to the power source and based on data transfer rules;

wherein the first device of the apparatus comprises a portable device and the second device of the apparatus comprises a remote device;

wherein the charger detector module, the charger detection handshake module, and the charger detection module are located on the portable device, and the data transfer initiator module are located on the second device.

7. The data transfer apparatus of claim 6, further comprising:

a wireless transceiver coupled to the controller and configured to establish a connectivity link with a remote device.

8. The data transfer apparatus of claim 6, further comprising:

another charger detection handshake module configured to receive an indication from a device that a charging current has been detected by the portable device.

9. The data transfer apparatus of claim 6, wherein the automated selection determination is based on at least one of an algorithm and predefined criteria.

10. A method of data transfer between a portable first device and at least one second device, the method comprising:

receiving rules input at a data transfer rules setup application to govern data transfer between the portable first device and a second device in communication with the first device by at least one connectivity link;

detecting a charging current to recharge a power source at the first device;

sending an indication that the charging current is received at the first device from the first device to the second device;

monitoring the at least one connectivity link between the first device and the at least one second device;

selecting a connectivity link between the first device and the at least one second device in accordance with an automated selection determination;

receiving data transfer rules to process a data transfer between the first device and the at least one second device; and

in the at least one second device, initiating data transfer governed by the rules input from the first device with a data transfer initiator module disposed in the at least one second device via a selected connectivity link between the first device and the at least one second device, upon receiving from the first device the indication that the charging current is received at the first device from the first device according to data transfer rules.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

initiating data transfer by the first device upon detection of a charging current connected to the first device.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein initiating data transfer comprises initiating two-way transfer of data between the first device and the at least one second device.

13. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

executing a handshaking process between the first device and the at least one second device by sending the indication that the charging current is received at the first device from the first device to the at least one second device upon detection of a charger connected to the first device.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein the data transfer rules comprise choosing a fastest connectivity link.

15. The method of claim 10, wherein detecting a charging current comprises detecting a presence of a charger cable.

16. The method of claim 10, wherein the data transfer rules comprise choosing a most reliable connectivity link.

17. The method of claim 10, wherein the data transfer rules comprise choosing a most available connectivity link.

18. The method of claim 10, wherein the data transfer rules comprise choosing a connectivity link having a most optimal quality of service.

20. The method of claim 10, wherein the data transfer rules indicate some data of the first device is to be transmitted to a first of the at least one second device and other data of the first device is to be transmitted to another of the at least one second device.