MAHLALELA NJABULO
MAHLALELA NJABULO
| US20040116155A1 | 2004-06-17 | |||
| US20040029568A1 | 2004-02-12 | |||
| US20080014984A1 | 2008-01-17 | |||
| DE10146664A1 | 2003-02-13 | |||
| US20050165869A1 | 2005-07-28 | |||
| US20090276475A1 | 2009-11-05 | |||
| US20030038791A1 | 2003-02-27 |
| CLAIMS 1. A system for providing a back-up facility for data stored on a primary data storage device associated with a mobile phone to a number of individuals, characterised in that the system comprises a back-up device including; a primary data storage device reader, a secondary data storage unit and a data transferor for transferring information between the primary storage device and the secondary storage unit; and a means for controlling access to the device reader, the secondary storage unit and the data transferor. 2. The system for providing a back-up facility for data as claimed in claim 1 characterised in that the primary storage device includes but is not limited to a SIM card, a data card, or the built in memory on a mobile phone or any combination thereof. 3. The system for providing a back-up facility for data as claimed in either of claims 1 or 2 characterised in that the secondary data storage unit includes a hard drive memory. 4. The system for providing a back-up facility for data as claimed in either of claims 1 or 2 characterised in that the secondary data storage unit is internet based and may additionally include networked online storage such as cloud storage. 5. The system for providing a back-up facility for data as claimed in any of claims 1 to 4 characterised in that the secondary data storage unit includes both a hard drive memory and an internet based storage facility. 6. The system for providing a back-up facility for data as claimed in any of claims 1 to 5 characterised in that the data transferor facilitates the uploading of data from the primary storage device to the secondary storage unit for safekeeping. 7. The system for providing a back-up facility for data as claimed in any of claims 1 to 5 characterised in that the data transferor facilitates the downloading of data from the secondary storage unit to the primary storage device. 8. The system for providing a back-up facility for data as claimed in any of claims 1 to 5 characterised in that the data transferor facilitates both the uploading of data from the primary storage device to the secondary storage unit and the downloading of data from the secondary storage unit to the primary storage device. 9. The system for providing a back-up facility for data as claimed in any of claims 1 to 8 characterised in that the means for controlling access to the device reader and secondary data storage unit includes the allocation of a unique access token to the user. 10. The system for providing a back-up facility for data as claimed in claim 9 characterised in that the access token is purchased from a prepayment point. 11. The system for providing a back-up facility for data as claimed in either of claims 9 or 10 characterised in that the access token is required to be inputted into the back-up device before the reader will transfer information between the primary data storage device and secondary data storage unit. 12. The system for providing a back-up facility for data as claimed in any of claims 9 to 11 characterised in that the access token includes a randomly allocated One Time Password (OTP). 13. A method of backing-up data stored on a primary data storage device associated with a mobile phone in accordance with the system claimed in any of claims 1 to 12, characterised in that the method includes the steps of purchasing an access token from a prepayment point, entering the access token into a back-up device to allow access to the reader, connecting the primary data storage device to the reader, requesting the information on the primary data storage device to be downloaded by the reader onto the secondary storage unit and disconnecting the primary data storage device associated with the mobile phone from the data storage unit reader. 14. The method of backing-up data as claimed in claim 13 characterised in that the method includes the additional step of retrieving the data from the secondary data storage unit. 15. The method of backing-up data as claimed in claim 14 characterised in that the retrieval of the data includes one or more of the steps of obtaining a new primary data storage device, purchasing a new access token from a prepayment point, entering the token information into the back-up device, connecting the new primary storage device to the back-up device and uploading the stored information from the secondary storage unit onto the new primary storage device. 16. The method of backing up data as claimed in any one of claims 13 to 15 characterised in that the primary storage device includes a SIM card or Data Card or the built in memory on a mobile phone or any combination thereof. |
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a method and system for providing back-up of data storage devices associated with a mobile telephone.
BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION
Most mobile phones include at least one data storage device such as a SIM card, data card or built in memory chip.
The SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) card is an important tool to most mobile phone users. It is a small electronic card that identifies the mobile phone user to the network, maintains the user's preferences and provides portability. Just as important, this removable smart card can store and secure data such as contact numbers and addresses.
More technologically advanced mobile phones, such as so called "smart phones" also include additional memory space for the storage of pictures and other data. The additional memory space is usually in the form of a data card such as a micro SD card, or may include a built in memory chip installed within the phone itself (for example the Apple iPhone)
The problem faced with storing information on the SIM card, the Micro SD card or the memory chip of the mobile phone, is that if the phone is lost or stolen, the contact details and data are lost with it.
There are SIM card back-up solutions available, but these are generally aimed at first world users who have access to their own computers and ready access to the internet and generally enter into user agreements or contracts with a service provider. In most developing countries, the majority of mobile phone users utilize "pay- as-you-go" facilities, and as such do not have a fixed contract with a service provider. These users also do not have ready access to the internet or to their own computer facilities, and for this reason backing up the information contained on their SIM and/or data cards or mobile phone itself may prove almost impossible.
It is an object of this invention to provide a method and system for providing data back-up that at least partially alleviates some of the above mentioned problems.
THE INVENTION
A system for providing a back-up facility for data stored on a primary data storage device associated with a mobile phone to a number of individuals, the system comprising a back-up device including a primary data storage device reader, a secondary data storage unit, and a data transferor.
The back-up facility may additionally include means for controlling access to the device reader and/or the secondary data storage unit.
The primary data storage device may include a SIM card, data card associated with a mobile phone or a built in memory chip.
The secondary data storage unit may include a hard drive memory, alternatively, the secondary data storage unit may be web based and may include networked online storage such as cloud storage.
The means for controlling access to the device reader and the secondary data storage unit may include the allocation of a unique access token to the user.
The access token may be purchased from a prepayment point. The access token is required to be inputted into the back-up device before the reader will download information from the primary data storage device onto the secondary data storage unit.
The access token may include a randomly allocated One Time Password
(OTP).
In addition, the means for controlling access to the data up-loader may include the allocation of a further unique access token to the user.
The second access token may be purchased from a prepayment point and may be required to be inputted into the storage device before the reader will download stored information from the secondary storage unit onto a new SIM or data card or new phone.
The invention may also extend to a method of backing-up data stored on a primary data storage device associated with a mobile phone in accordance with the system , the method including the steps of purchasing an access token from a prepayment point, entering the access token into a back-up device to allow access to the reader, connecting the primary data storage device to the reader, requesting that the information be downloaded from the primary data storage device by the reader onto the secondary data storage unit and disconnecting the primary data storage device associated with the mobile phone from the data storage device reader.
The method of backing-up data may include the additional step of retrieving data from the secondary data storage unit.
The retrieval of the data may include one or more of the steps of obtaining a new primary data storage device, purchasing a new access token from a prepayment point, entering the token information into the back-up device, connecting the new primary storage device to the back-up device and uploading the stored information from the from the secondary storage unit onto the new primary storage device.
EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION
An embodiment of the invention is described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is a representation of the data back-up facility;
Figure 2 is a flow diagram illustrating the back-up facility in use;
Figure 3 is a schematic flow chart indicating the various components
Referring to figures 1 and 3, the data back-up facility is a freestanding, low- power touch-screen kiosk which includes an interactive display terminal 10, capable of reading, extracting and storing data from a SIM or Data Card or directly from a mobile phone's built in memory (smart phone) and transferring the data to another SIM or data Card or smart phone when requested.
The interactive display terminal 10 includes a Central Processing Unit (CPU) 12 (which includes a reader, a data downloader and a secondary data storage device/Memory 20), a Display Panel 14 on which instructions and information are displayed, an Input Device 16 such as a key pad or touch screen, for inputting data such as a One Time Password and Cell phone number into the CPU and a connector 18 for receiving the SIM or Data Card or a drive cable from a smart phone.
The interactive display terminal 10 is connected to a power supply 20 such as an AC power supply. Alternatively, a rechargeable battery such as a lithium polymer battery may also be used to provide power to the unit.
The terminal is also connected to the internet via 3G or WiFi so that data may be uploaded onto a LAN, internet server or Cloud. In this manner, the user would not have to return to the same Interactive Display Terminal every time he wanted to upload more information, or download the stored information onto a new SIM or data card, or new phone.
In use, and referring to Figure 2, a user, wanting to back-up the information contained on his cell phone's SIM or data card or built in memory will purchase a "token" from a vendor. The "token" will contain a unique one-time password (OTP) which is valid for only one login session, and which, when entered onto the Interactive Display Terminal of the back-up facility 10 will allow the user to back-up his data, ideally the "token" will be sent to the user's cell phone as an SMS.
The User will then perform the following steps as per the flow diagram of figure 2:
1. The user will enter the relevant OTP via the keypad/touchpad 16.
2. The system verifies the OTP to;
3. allow or
4. deny access to the system or online storage account.
5. If online access is allowed, the user will connect his SIM or data card, or his phone to the connector 18.
6. The system then reads the format of the card or phone for functional suitability with the system.
. The user will then enter his mobile phone number and password to create an online storage account, or to access his existing online storage account.
. The user's details are verified to allow access to an existing online storage account, or to create a new online storage account.
. Access to the storage account is allowed.
0. Mobile data backup, synchronization or retrieval may then take place;
10.1 Where the user has a "smart phone" with 3G or Wireless access, he can download the synchronization software directly onto his mobile phone via a USB connection. The data required to be backed up may then be transferred and synchronized online. Alternatively,
10.2 Where the user has a standard phone, the SIM or DATA card can be inserted into the card reader, and the information or data to be backed up can be transferred directly off the card onto the CPU memory of the backup device, from where it can be uploaded to an online backup facility such as a local area network, an internet server, or cloud. In these instances, the data back-up facility is connected to the internet via 3G or ADSLVWiFi;
10.3 Should a user misplace or damage his mobile phone or SIM or data card, a new device can be connected to the data back-up facility and the user may access his account and download the stored information onto the new device.
11. The user's online storage account is then updated.
12. Data files are backed up.
13. User logs out of account.
14. User logs out of system.
It is envisaged that the majority of recognized formats of documents and images, including but not limited to Word™ documents, Power Point™ slides, Excel™, Jpeg, tiff, giff and pdf files will be viewable. Video formats will also be supported.
Numerous modifications to this invention are possible.