FIELD OF INVENTION
The present invention relates to a backup system and a method for backing
up a mobile communication device. The backup system comprises a mobile
communication device, storing a quantity of personal data and a backup 5
card, wherein the backup procedure between the mobile communication device
and the backup card is achieved over a wireless near field communication.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 10
Although a mobile communication device is basically used for mobile communications
within a mobile communication network, the mobile communication
device offers a lot more functionality. That is the reason why nowadays
a mobile communication device is also used to store a quantity of per- 15
sonal data into a memory of the mobile communication device belonging to
the actual user of such a mobile communication device.
In the following the term personal data is referred to contact information,
such as telephone numbers, email addresses, postal addresses or other con- 20
tact data of each stored contact. The term personal data furthermore includes
ring tones; graphical items, such as pictures, icons etc; applications, such as
JAVA applications or games; calendar entries, such as reminders or birthdays
and other files.
25
With the term personal data also payment transactions records or payment
transaction history is understood. Since payment application provides only
storage of last 10-20 transactions only, the backup of payment records/
history is used to backup records/history which is generally lost after
this certain number of transactions. 30
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In the following the term mobile communication device basically refers to a
mobile phone or a smart phone for mobile communication but is also referred
to a pocket-sized computing device, typically having a display screen
with touch input or a miniature keyboard such as personal digital assistances
(PDA or palmtop computer), pager, ultra-mobile personal computers, smart 5
books, net books and so on.
In case the mobile communication device is lost or stolen, normally all the
personal data is also lost. A recovery of all personal data, stored in a mobile
communication device, is nearly impossible and is definitely a time consum- 10
ing matter.
To avoid such a recovery scenario a lot of websites offer a user to upload
their personal data free of charge. The websites do normally not guarantee
the security of the uploaded data and leaves a risk, that the uploaded per- 15
sonal data is hacked or misused.
Another solution for avoiding such a recovery scenario is to synchronize the
personal data, stored in the mobile communication device with personal data
stored within another device, such as a personal computer, notebook etc. 20
Such synchronization is also possible wirelessly.
The patent application WO 02/073992 describes a method for securing the
personal data, stored in a mobile communication device. Therefore the mobile
communication device transfers the personal data stored in the mobile 25
communication device memory to a central server via a mobile network. In
case the mobile communication device is lost, an easy downloading of all
personal data is possible. Due to the fact, that the mobile network is used for
transferring the personal data, the transfer might not be free of charge and is
therefore not convenient for a user. 30
- 4 -
The patent application CN 201118666(Y) discloses a mobile communication
device provided with an external SIM storage structure which is arranged on
the back surface of the mobile communication device shell in parallel with
the SIM communication card. The external SIM storage is contact-based con- 5
nected to the mobile communication device and has a high data storage capability
for backing up the personal data.
Yet another solution might be found in US 2004/0116155A1 wherein a
backup system is described. Therefore the back up includes a memory mod- 10
ule and an external transfer module which is communicatively connected to
the mobile communication device defining an interface via which the memory
module is communicatively connected with the internal memory of the
mobile communication device.
15
All the provided solutions disadvantageously need auxiliary devices, such as
a transfer module or a contact-based external SIM on the outside of the mobile
communication device and respectively additional connectors or cables
and furthermore difficult software setting are needed for a backup procedure,
which leads to the conclusion, that such solutions are inconvenient for 20
the user.
!
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of the claimed invention to provide a backup system 25
which is convenient and simple to use. Furthermore the backup should be
possible at anytime and anywhere and the backup should be independent of
cable or contact-based connections, connectors or power supplies.
- 5 -
A solution for this object is found within the subject matter of each independent
claim. Advantageous embodiments or aspects are found in the respective
dependent claims.
Accordingly, the present invention provides a backup card configured for
wireless coupling with a communication device for backing up the informa- 5
tion contained in said communication device, wherein the said backup card
being wirelessly coupled to the said communication device, the backup card
comprising: at least one wireless near field communication input/output
interface (I/O interface) for receiving and/or providing data from/to the
said communication device for at least a back up procedure; a transfer con- 10
trol means (a logic element) operationally connected to the I/O interface for
managing and controlling data transfer; and a memory communicatively
coupled to the said transfer control means for storing quantity of information;
wherein the said memory contains at least a portion of the quantity of
information contained in the said communication device after the back up 15
procedure.
In another embodiment of the present invention, wherein the said communication
device is a mobile communication device or a personal computer or a
PDA or a pager or a telephone device or a fax. 20
In yet another embodiment of the present invention, wherein said communication
device activates the back up device by emitting an electromagnetic
field.
25
In an embodiment of the present invention , wherein the said memory being
configured to contain a personal identification number (PIN) to enable communication
device to access the information contained in the memory after
authorization.
30
- 6 -
In another embodiment of the present invention, wherein the backup card is
a smart card in ID-1 format or a micro secure digital card.
In yet another embodiment of the present invention, wherein the information 5
on the backup card is transferable to any other device via the wireless near
field communication module.
The present invention also relates to a backup system comprising a secure
smart card as a backup card. This system allows to store all persona data 10
from a mobile communication device to a secure chip based smart card.
According to claim 17 an embodiment of the invention is described, which is
a backup system for use with a mobile communication device. The backup
system comprises the mobile communication device with a memory for 15
maintaining a quantity of personal data, a wireless near field communication
module and input means structured for inputting the personal data into the
memory. The backup system further comprises a backup card structured to
contain a quantity of information and at least a wireless communication
module corresponding to the wireless near field communication module of 20
the mobile communication device. The backup card is connected to the mobile
communication device via the wireless communication modules for at
least a back up procedure. The backup card contains at least a portion of the
quantity of personal data of the memory after a back up procedure.
25
According to this embodiment a backup of the personal data, contained in a
memory of the mobile communication device is easily achieved without auxiliary
devices, such as transfer modules, adapters, cable connection etc.
Advantageously, the energy supply for the wireless communication between 30
the mobile communication device and the backup card is provided by the
- 7 -
mobile communication device. So no power equipment for the backup procedure
is needed. In conclusion the backup can be taken anytime and anywhere.
The mobile communication device in this case acts as a radio frequency
identification (RFID) terminal and emits an electromagnetic field,
which is powerful enough to supply the backup card with supply energy, if 5
the backup card is in appropriate range. In conclusion, the backup card acts
as a passive RFID tag and therefore only is to be held in the electromagnetic
field for activation.
The memory of the mobile communication device comprises an internal 10
memory of the mobile communication device and/or a subscriber identity
module memory included in a subscriber identity module (SIM), wherein the
subscriber identity module is connected to the mobile communication device
in a contact based manner. The backup of personal data contained in both,
the internal memory or the SIM memory is thereby advantageously 15
achieved. Due to the fact, that portions of the personal data might be stored
in either the internal memory or the SIM memory, the backup of both memories
is worthwhile and recommended. The choice, which memory is to be
backed up can be left to the user itself, for instance in a menu controlled
memory-choice step. 20
Advantageously, a transfer program toolkit is structured to copy at least a
portion of said personal data from the memory of the mobile communication
device onto said back up card. The transfer program toolkit is also structured
to copy at least a portion of said personal data from said back up card to the 25
memory of the mobile communication device. So the back up procedure can
be reversed in case the backup of personal data needs to be stored in the mobile
communication device or into another mobile communication device,
which might be necessary in case the mobile communication device is stolen
or is broken or the data needs to be transferred to a new mobile communica- 30
- 8 -
tion device anyway. The transfer toolkit program is implemented in the
backup card or the mobile communication device.
The input of at least a personal identification number (PIN) onto the mobile
communication device authorizes the backup procedure. This feature in- 5
creases the security of the backup system. Accordingly the PIN is needed to
transfer the personal data from the backup card onto the mobile communication
device. The security is further increased if the backup system comprises
another personal identification number onto the mobile communication device
which authorizes only the access to the backup card. This PIN is coupled 10
to the backup card and authorizes the access to the backup card by using
other devices instead of the mobile communication devices.
The personal data are from the type telephone numbers, ring tones, short
messages, media messages, calendar inputs, pictures, graphical items, 15
games, applications and/or personal files. The transfer program toolkit
might comprise a menu control which leads the actual user through the back
up procedure with the help of output means of the mobile communication
device, e.g. a display. With the menu control the user can decide which kind
of personal data type should be backed up. 20
The backup card is preferably a smart card and has the typical ID-1 or ID-000
format according to ISO/IEC 7816. The backup card is preferably an RFID
contactless card and might look like any other card (e.g. credit card etc.). It
needs only to be placed near the mobile communication device for transfer- 25
ring the information from the mobile communication device to the backup
card (and reverse). In Figure 6 a schematic block diagram of an integrated
circuit (IC) inside the card body is shown. Therein typical parts are pictured,
which are included into the IC of the smart card. An input out interface I/O
receives/provides data from/to a corresponding interface. The interface ac- 30
- 9 -
cording to the invention is based on a wireless near field communication.
The wireless communication is preferably a standardized near field communication,
for instance ISO/IEC 10536, 14443, 15693, 18092, 21481 or ECMA
340, 352, 356, 362 or respective norms.
5
According to Figure 6 a central processing unit (CPU) processes the incoming
and outgoing data. An operating system, basically stored in a read only
memory (ROM) is loaded after activation of the smart card into a random
access memory (RAM). The ROM also includes a PIN number to grant or
deny access to the smart card data content. Accordingly the operating system 10
might include the mentioned transfer toolkit, for managing and controlling
the backup procedure. Also a large memory module 11 (e.g. EEPROM) is
included wherein a quantity of information is storable.
Alternatively the backup card is structured as a memory card. According to 15
Figure 7, the structure of the schematic block diagram of a memory card is
different to the structure of a smart card. As can be seen in Figure 7, no CPU
or RAM is needed. Instead a logic element is included, which mainly manages
the data transfer between the I/O interface and the different kinds of
memories 11 (EEPROM, ROM). The backup card in this case is a card in ID-1 20
format with an IC, structured as shown in Figure 7.
Alternatively the format of the backup card is not limited to any format. It is
possible, that any standardized and common format, for instance micro secure
digital (µSD) or mini secure digital etc. is used. Important in view of the 25
invention is the fact, that the backup card comprises a wireless near field
communication interface to communicate to the mobile communication device
or another device as well.
- 10 -
Another embodiment of the invention is a method for backing up a memory
of a mobile communication device. The method comprises firstly the establishing
of a wireless near field communication between a back up card and a
memory of the mobile communication device through integrated wireless
near field communication interfaces, wherein the mobile communication de- 5
vice supplies the back up card wirelessly with energy. Secondly the authorizing
of a data communication between the back up card and the memory of
the mobile communication device including the input of a personal identification
number onto the mobile communication device occurs. Finally a transferring
of at least a portion of personal data maintained in the memory of the 10
mobile communication device onto the back up card via the wireless near
field communication for backup purpose is proposed.
Advantageously, at least a portion of personal data maintained in the backup
card is transferred onto the memory of the mobile communication device via 15
the wireless near field communication.
Furthermore, the content of the backup card is secured onto another device,
wherein the data transfer for securing is either a wireless near field communication
or a contact based communication. 20
These and other features and advantages of the present invention will become
clearer when the drawings as well as the detailed description are taken
into consideration.
25
While this invention will be described in conjunction with specific embodiments
thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations
will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the preferred
embodiments of the invention as set forth herein are intended to be illustrative,
not limiting. Various changes may be made without departing from the 30
- 11 -
true spirit and full scope of the invention as set forth herein and defined in
the claims.
5
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
For a complete understanding of the nature of the present invention, reference
is made to the following detailed description taken in connection with
the accompanying drawings in which: 10
Figure 1 A first embodiment of the present invention showing a backup
system comprising a mobile communication device and a
backup card;
15
Figure 2 A second embodiment of the present invention showing a
backup system comprising a mobile communication device and
a backup card;
Figure 3 A refinement of the second embodiment according to Figure 2; 20
Figure 4 A refinement of the second embodiment according to Figure 2
and Figure 3;
Figure 5 A structure of an inventive data array included in the backup 25
card;
Figure 6 A prior art schematic block diagram of an integrated circuit of a
smart card built in a card body;
30
Figure 7 A prior art schematic block diagram of an integrated circuit of a
memory card built in a card body.
- 12 -
Parts and items referenced with the same reference number have the same
functionality and are basically the same parts.
According to Figure 1, an inventive backup system will be described. The 5
backup system comprises of a mobile communication device 1 and a backup
card 6. The mobile communication device 1 herein is a mobile phone. Referring
to the previous sections other devices than a mobile phone might be
used instead. The mobile communication device 1 comprises a near filed
communication (NFC) module 2 for a wireless NFC 7 with the backup card 10
6. The mobile communication device 1 further comprise input means 3,
which is basically a keypad and structured for inputting telephone numbers,
dialling numbers or writing short messages. Other input means like touchpad’s,
Bluetooth connections or touch screens are also incorporated with the
scope of this invention. Furthermore the mobile communication device 1 15
comprises output means 4, for instance a display and a memory 5, containing
a quantity of personal data.
For a back up of the personal data contained in the memory 5 of the mobile
communication device 1 the backup card 6 is placed into NFC range of the 20
mobile communication device 1. Once the card 5 is in NFC range, the mobile
communication device 1 activates the backup card 6 based on an emitted
electromagnetic field. Once the backup card is activated by the mobile communication
device 1, the backup procedure can start.
25
To start the backup procedure following scenarios are possible. First possibility:
Whenever the backup card 6 is in NFC range of the mobile communication
device 1, an automatic authentication takes place between mobile communication
device 1 and backup card 6. To increase the security, this authen-
13 -
tication might be a handshake procedure or an automatic synchronous or
asynchronous key exchange, a signature transfer or another kind of cryptographical
exchange. In conclusion, whenever the card 6 is in NFC range, an
automatic backup of alt least a portion of personal data, stored in the memory
5 of the mobile communication device 1 is transferred to a data memory 5
11 of the backup card 6. Alternatively a synchronisation occurs, meaning,
personal data stored in the backup card are compared with personal data of
the memory 5 and all mismatched personal data are transferred to the
backup card 6 and/or the memory 5.
10
Second possibility and described in Figures 2 to 4 is a procedure wherein a
user of the mobile communication device 1 authorizes the backup procedure
through an input of a PIN 9 into he mobile communication device. Only if
permission is granted the backup card 6 is able to receive personal data of
the memory 5. 15
In Figure 1 the backup card 6 is a ID-1 format corresponding to ISO/IEC
7816 and the NFC is standardized to ISO/IEC 14443.
In Figure 2 a second embodiment is described. All references with identical 20
numbers belong to the same functional items or modules. In the following
only the differences between Figure 1 and Figure 2 are described to avoid
repetitions. Alternatively to Figure 1, Figure 2 shows an internal memory 5a
which contains at least a portion of a quantity of personal data. These data
might be of the type contacts, such as telephone numbers, email addresses, 25
postal addresses or other contact data of each stored contact. Further types
are ring tones; graphical items, such as pictures, icons etc; applications, such
as JAVA applications or games; calendar entries, such as reminders or birthdays
and other files.
30
- 14 -
Another type of personal data is payment transactions records or payment
transaction history. Since payment application provides only storage of last
10-20 transactions only, the backup of payment records/history is used to
backup records/history which is generally lost after this certain number of
transactions. This transaction history will be available in the backup card 6 5
after the backup procedure. A user of the mobile communication device 1
therefore can view previous transactions at any time after. It is also possible
to view transactions many years after. A review of the transaction history/
records can be done on the mobile communication device after a reload
of the information or by connecting the backup card 6 to the mobile commu- 10
nication device 1. Alternatively the review is done at any other device by
reading out the information from the backup card 6.
Also a subscriber identity module (SIM) 8 is contact-based connected to the
mobile communication device 1. The SIM 8 also includes a SIM memory 8a, 15
which also contains a quantity of personal data. Both, the internal memory
5a and the SIM memory 8a can be backed up through this inventive backup
system.
Furthermore the backup card 6 is in ID-000 format, which basically is a SIM 20
card format. According to the block diagrams described in Figure 6 and 7
and the appropriate remarks in the summary of the invention, the backup
card 6 is not limited to any format or type. It only needs a NFC interface, corresponding
to the mobile communication device 1. The backup card 6 comprises
a data memory 11 where all transferred data are stored. Once the per- 25
sonal data is store onto the backup card 6, the backup card 6 can be kept at a
safer place or can be carried easily in a wallet. If the user looses his mobile
communication device 1 or replaces an older version with a new one he/she
can use the backup card 6 to restore the personal data directly to the new
mobile communication device 1. 30
- 15 -
The output means 4 of Figure 2 exemplarily shows a menu control on a display,
if an activated backup card 6 is in NFC Range. The menu control on the
display 4 shows a menu for selecting the type of personal data, which the
user of the mobile communication device 1 wants to back up. Only the se- 5
lected types will be backed up onto the backup card 5. Also other selections,
which are not shown explicitly here, are possible. For instance if the SIM
memory 8a or internal memory 5a is to be selected for back up or if the personal
data should be copied with/without deleting the original entry might
be controlled via the menu control. This menu control is a part of the transfer 10
program toolkit which is either implemented in the operating system of the
backup card 6 or is an applet in the mobile communication device 1. According
to the backup setting the back up is proceeded, which means, that the
selected types of personal data are transferred to a memory onto the backup
card 6 via the NFC. Not shown in Figure 2 is an authorization step before the 15
backup procedure, wherein the user obtains the demand of inputting a PIN 9
for authentication. In case the user looses his mobile communication device 1
or it is stolen or the user decides to buy a newer version of mobile communication
device 1, a reverse transfer of the personal data from the data memory
11 of the backup card 6 to the newer mobile communication device 1 is easily 20
obtained. Detailed information therefore is given in Figure 3.
In Figure 3 a reverse backup from the data memory 11 of the backup card 6
to the mobile communication device 1 via NFC 7 is shown. Again all reference
numbers herein belong to identical items of other Figures. Also not all 25
parts are identified with reference numbers herein, to avoid confusions and
point out the relevant parts of the appropriate Figure. For reverse backup the
backup card 6 is activated by the NFC field of the mobile communication
device 1. For authorization purpose the user has to input a PIN 9 or any
other password to authorize the access to the personal data on the backup 30
- 16 -
card 6. This password or PIN 9 is preferably an access code for the backup
card 6 and is independent from the PIN for authorizing the SIM activities of
the SIM on the mobile communication device 1.
Referring to Figure 4, the display 4 of the mobile communication module 1 5
again shows a menu control for selecting the type of personal data, which
has to be uploaded from the data memory 11 of the backup card 6 to the
communication device 1. Also the preferred memory (SIM 8a or internal
memory 5a) is selectable.
10
Not shown in the Figures 2 to 4 is the fact, that the backup card 6 is furthermore
connectable to any other devices, such as another communication device
or a personal computer, a PDA, pager and so on. The connection is also
wirelessly via NFC 7 but all other supported interfaces on the backup card 6
might be used. 15
In Figure 5 a data array arrangement of the data memory 11 of the backup
card 6 is shown. A first data array 12 contains all contact information which
basically is the contact name and the corresponding telephone numbers,
email addresses, postal addresses, websites, nicknames and so on. A second 20
data array 13 contains short messages; a third array 14 contains calendar entries,
which basically are reminders, birthdays. Another data array 15 might
be used to store notes, videos, pictures, applications, games, icons, ring
tones, wallpapers, themes and so on. All different types of personal data obtain
a different kind of data array in the data memory 11 of the backup card 25
6.
With the inventive backup-system described herein an easy way to take a
backup of an internal memory or a SIM memory of a mobile communication
device 1 is achieved. The backup card 6 provides a secure way to store per- 30
- 17 -
sonal data and ensures that only the authorized persons will have access to
the data stored therein.
The back up card eases furthermore the transfer of data from one device to
another one by inserting the backup card 6 into a NFC field and selecting the 5
required data to be uploaded from the backup card 6 onto a new mobile
communication device.
The described system is convenient and simple to use. The backup can be
taken any time and anywhere without any dependency on a mobile network 10
or PC. It is secured since it uses a smart card or memory card technology as a
backup media. It can be easily carried in a pocket. During backup procedure
no power connection or data adapter is required.
15
20
25
30
- 18 -
LIST OF REFERENCES
5
1. Mobile communication device
2. Wireless near field communication module
3. Input means of mobile communication device, keypad
4. Output means of mobile communication device, display
5. Memory of mobile communication device 10
5a. internal memory of mobile communication device
6. Backup Card
7. near field communication
8. Subscriber identification module
8a. Subscriber identification module memory 15
9. Personal identification number
10. Authorization
11. Data memory of backup card
12. Data array for contact information
13. Data array for messages 20
14. Data array for reminders
15. Data array for other information
25
- 19 -
We Claim: 5
1. A backup card configured for wireless coupling with a communication
device for backing up the information contained in said communication
device, wherein the said backup card being wirelessly coupled to the said
communication device, the backup card comprising: 10
at least one wireless near field communication input/output interface
(I/O interface) for wirelessly receiving and/or providing data from/to the
said communication device for at least a back up procedure;
a transfer control means (a logic element) operationally connected to
the I/O interface for managing and controlling data transfer; and 15
a memory communicatively coupled to the said transfer control
means for storing quantity of information;
wherein the said memory contains at least a portion of the quantity of
information contained in the said communication device after a back up procedure.
20
2. The backup card as claimed in claim 1, wherein the said communication
device is a mobile communication device or a personal computer or a PDA
or a pager or a telephone device or a fax.
25
3. The backup card as claimed in claim 1, wherein said communication device
activates the back up card by emitting an electromagnetic field.
4. The backup card as claimed in claim 1, wherein the said memory being
configured to contain a personal identification number (PIN) to enable com- 30
- 20 -
munication device to access the information contained in the memory after
authorization.
5. The backup card according to claim 1, wherein the backup card is a
smart card in ID-1 format or a micro secure digital card. 5
6. The backup card according to claim 1, wherein the information on the
backup card is transferable to any other device via the wireless near field
communication module.
7. A method for backing up a memory of a mobile communication device 10
comprising the method steps:
- establishing a wireless near field communication between a back u
card and a memory of the mobile communication device through integrated
wireless near field communication interfaces, wherein the mobile communication
device supplies the back up card wirelessly with energy; 15
- authorizing a data communication between the back up card and the
memory of the mobile communication device including the input of a
personal identification number onto the mobile communication device;
and
- transferring at least a portion of personal data from the memory of the 20
mobile communication device onto a memory of a backup card via the
wireless near field communication for backup purpose.
8. A method according to claim 7, wherein at least a portion of personal
data maintained in the backup card is transferred onto the memory of the 25
mobile communication device via the wireless near field communication.
9. A method according to claim 7, wherein the content of the backup card is
secured onto another device, wherein the data transfer for securing is either
a wireless near field communication or a contact based communication. 30
- 21 -
10. A backup system for use with a mobile communication device, the
backup system comprising:
- the mobile communication device comprising:
- a memory for maintaining a quantity of personal data; 5
- a wireless near field communication module; and
- input means structured for inputting the personal data into the
memory;
- a backup card structured to contain a quantity of information and comprising
at least a wireless communication module corresponding to the 10
wireless near field communication module of the mobile communication
device;
- wherein the backup card is connected to the mobile communication device
via the wireless communication modules for at least a back up procedure;
and wherein the backup card contains at least a portion of the quantity of 15
personal data of the memory after a back up procedure.
11. The backup system according to claim 10, wherein the energy supply for
the wireless communication between the mobile communication device and
the backup card is provided by the mobile communication device. 20
12. The backup system according to claim 10, wherein the memory of the
mobile communication device comprises an internal memory of the mobile
communication device and/or a subscriber identity module memory included
in a subscriber identity module, wherein the subscriber identity 25
module is connected to the mobile communication device in a contact based
manner.
- 22 -
13. The backup system according to claim 12, wherein a transfer program
toolkit is structured to copy at least a portion of said personal data from the
memory of the mobile communication device onto said back up card.
14. The backup system according to claim 12, wherein the transfer program 5
toolkit is structured to copy at least a portion of said personal data from said
back up card to the memory of the mobile communication device.
15. The backup system according to claim 10, wherein the personal data are
from the type telephone numbers, ring tones, short messages, media mes- 10
sages, calendar inputs, pictures, graphical items, games, applications payment
transaction information and / or personal files.
16. The backup system according to claim 10, wherein the wireless communication
is a standardized near field communication.