Data Backup and Charging Device for Communication Devices

Abstract

A device interfaces with a mobile communication device, for example, a smartphone or tablet, that has data stored in a memory. A device body has a data storage element integrated inside the device body. A first interface receives alternating current (AC) voltage from a mains power supply. A second interface detachably and electronically couples the mobile communication device to the data storage element. The second interface also provides direct current (DC) voltage to the mobile communication device. A data management application on the mobile communication device issues a command for the device to receive a copy of a subset of the data stored in the memory of the mobile communication device. The received copied subset of data is stored in a protected format having at least one layer of protection in the data storage element. A unique identifier associates the stored subset of data with the mobile communication device.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A device for interfacing with a mobile communication device, the mobile communication device including a storage medium having data retained thereon, the device comprising:
 a device body having at least one data storage element integrated therein;   a first interface having at least one portion integrated within the device body, the first interface for receiving alternating current (AC) voltage from a mains power supply; and   a second interface having at least one portion integrated within a footprint of the device body, the second interface operative to detachably and electronically couple the mobile communication device to the at least one storage element and the first interface, and to provide direct current (DC) voltage, converted from the received AC voltage, to the mobile communication device,   the device being operative to receive a copy of a subset of the data retained on the storage medium in response to a command issued by the mobile communication device when electronically coupled to the second interface, the received copied subset of data being stored, in a protected format having at least one layer of protection, in the at least one storage element, the stored subset of data having an assigned unique identifier associating the stored subset of data with the mobile communication device.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one layer of protection includes encrypting at least a portion of the stored subset of data. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one layer of protection includes assigning a unique password to the stored subset of data. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein, in response to the mobile communication device being electronically coupled to the first interface, a data management application is executed on the mobile communication device so as to provide a command interface between the device and the mobile communication device to issue the command to copy the subset of the data. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein the command is issued by the mobile communication device via the provided command interface. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein the data management application is installed on the mobile device prior to a first electronic coupling of the mobile communication device to the first interface. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the storing of the subset of data defines a storage event associating the device and the mobile communication device, and wherein, in response to electronic coupling of the mobile communication device to the first interface prior to the occurrence of any storage events, the copied subset of the data includes substantially the entirety of the data retained on the storage medium, and the unique identifier is assigned based on an identification number of the mobile communication device. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein, in response to electronic coupling of the mobile communication device to the first interface subsequent to the occurrence of at least one storage event, the copied subset of the data includes a subset of the data retained on the storage medium not stored on the at least one data storage element as a result of a preceding electronic coupling of the mobile communication device to the first interface. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein, in response to a command issued by a second mobile communication device electronically coupled to the first interface, the stored subset of data of the mobile communication device is copied to a storage medium of the second mobile communication device. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the first interface includes an AC power plug deployed on a surface of the device body in a fixed extending position away from the device body. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the device further comprises:
 at least one rechargeable power supply integrated within the device body, the second interface being switchably coupled to the first interface and the at least one rechargeable power supply.   
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one rechargeable power supply is operative to receive DC voltage converted from the received AC voltage, and to provide DC voltage to the second interface. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 a power controller electronically coupled to the rechargeable power supply, the first interface, and the second interface, the power controller integrated within the device body and operative to switch between a first state, in which DC voltage converted from the received AC voltage is provided to at least one of the second interface and the rechargeable power supply, and a second state, in which DC voltage stored in the rechargeable power supply is provided to the second interface.   
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one data storage element receives operational power from at least one power source selected from the group consisting of: the mobile communication device, the rechargeable power supply, and AC voltage received via the first interface. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 at least one status indicator formed on a surface of the device body, the at least one status indicator providing an indication of at least one of: a charge status of the rechargeable power supply, a backup status of the subset of the data copied to the at least one storage element, and a charge status of a rechargeable power supply of the mobile communication device.   
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the second interface includes a female universal serial bus (USB) interface having a portion thereof exposed on a surface of the device body, the female USB interface for receiving a male USB connector. 
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the device body includes a length dimension, a width dimension, and a thickness dimension, and at least a portion of the first interface is formed on a first surface in a plane defined by the length and width dimensions, and at least a portion of the second interface is formed on a second surface oppositely disposed from the first surface. 
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 17 , wherein the thickness dimension is substantially larger than each of the length and width dimensions. 
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 17 , wherein the length and width dimensions are substantially equal. 
     
     
         20 . A data backup system comprising:
 a device for interfacing with a mobile communication device including a storage medium having data stored thereon, the device comprising:
 at least one storage element, 
 a first interface to receive alternating current (AC) voltage from a mains power supply, and 
 a second interface to provide a data link between the at least one storage element and the mobile communication device, and to provide direct current (DC) voltage, converted from the received AC voltage, to the mobile communication device; and 
   a data management application executable on the mobile communication upon establishing the data link between the at least one storage element and the mobile communication device, the data management application providing an interface to automatically backup a subset of the data of the storage medium on the at least one storage element.