Method and apparatus for backing up data from cell phones and other hand-held devices

• US 20060158154A1
• Filed: 01/18/2005
• Published: 07/20/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 01/18/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Jean R. Maurilus
• Original Assignee: Jean R. Maurilus
• Inventors: Maurilus, Jean R.
• Application Number:
  US11/037,508
• Publication Number:
  US 20060158154A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 320/115
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00034 Charger exchanging data with an electronic device, i.e. telephone, whose internal battery is under charge
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/2757 by data transmission, e.g. 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

A hand-held device, such as a cell phone, a PDA or a digital camera, has a microprocessor, a battery and a primary memory. The hand-held device is coupled to a charger station that has a charging circuit generating charging current and a backup memory. Once the hand-held device and the charger station are coupled, the data from the primary memory is backed up to the backup memory either automatically, or on command from an operator.

Claims

1. An assembly comprising:

a hand-held device having a primary memory storing data and a battery; and

a charger station with a charging circuit and a backup memory;

wherein said hand-held device is arranged and constructed to be coupled with said charger station; and

wherein said hand-held device and charger station cooperate to charge said battery using said charging circuit and to back up data from said primary memory into said backup memory.

2. The assembly of claim 1 further comprising a microprocessor disposed in one of said hand-held device and said charger station, said microprocessor being programmed to initiate a backup operation of said data.

3. The assembly of claim 2 wherein said microprocessor is adapted to sense when the hand-held device is coupled to said charger station and to initiate in response said backup operation.

4. The assembly of claim 2 wherein said microprocessor is responsive to commands to initiate said backup operation.

5. The assembly of claim 4 further comprising a switch generating said command.

6. The assembly of claim 5 wherein said switch is controlled by an operator.

7. The assembly of claim 5 wherein said switch is a sensing switch that senses that said hand-held device is coupled to said charger station.

8. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said charger station further comprises a connector adapted to selectively connect said charger station to a remote device.

9. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said hand-held device is one of a cell phone, a PDA and a digital camera.

10. An assembly comprising:

a cell phone with a cell phone processor, a battery, and a primary memory with data; and

a charger station dedicated to providing a charging current for said battery and for backing up said data within the charger station, said charger station including charging means generating a charging current for said battery, and data storage means for backing up said data.

11. The assembly of claim 10 wherein said charger station includes a charger microprocessor controlling the data flow through said charger.

12. The assembly of claim 10 wherein said cell phone microprocessor is adapted to backup the data into said backup memory when said cell phone is coupled to said charger station.

13. The assembly of claim 10 further comprising means for determining when said cell phone and said charger station are coupled.

14. The assembly of claim 10 further comprising means for generating a command to initiate the backing up of data.

15. The assembly of claim 10 wherein said means generates commands said command automatically when said cell phone is coupled to said charger station.

16. The assembly of claim 10 wherein said means generates said command in response to an action by an operator.

17. A method of providing data back up for a hand-held device with a primary memory holding data and a battery, comprising:

coupling said hand-held device with a charger station;

charging said battery with a current from said charger station; and

backing up data from said primary memory into a data storage means of said charger station.

18. The method of claim 17 further comprising sensing when said hand-held device is coupled to said charger station and initiating said backing up step in response.

19. The method of claim 17 further comprising initiating said backing up step in response to a command from an operator.

20. The method of claim 17 wherein said charger station is connected to a remote device, further comprising storing data in both a memory in said charger device and sending said data to said remote device.