Device, System And Method For Data Exchange

Abstract

A device, a method and a system for portable data storage and transfer through a simplified device interface. The operations of the device are restricted, in order to increase the ease of use of the device, and in order to provide certain core functions. These core functions include reading data, writing data and exchanging data with a similar device and / or with an external computer. The device features a minimal set of hardware components for accomplishing these functions, such as a data processor of some type, a memory storage medium or media, and a data exchange mechanism, which may optionally be an infrared port for example.

Description

[0001] This application is a Divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 084,226, currently pending.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates to a device, system and method for data storage with the unique capability of exchanging data with another such device without any intervention of, with or through a computer, and in particular, for such a device, system and method in which data exchange is performed with a highly simplified device interface. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Portable electronic devices for data storage are useful for data access and transfer, particularly outside of a desktop computer environment. Such devices enable the user to keep data at hand, rather than forcing the user to access such data from the memory or data storage of a single stationary computer. Currently, portable data storage is performed either with an electronic device that attempts to maintain all functions of the desktop computer, such as a Palm computing device fo...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0006] The present invention overcomes these deficiencies of the background art, by providing a device, a method and a system for portable data storage and transfer through a simplified device interface. The operations of the device are restricted, in order to increase the ease of use of the device, and in order to provide certain core functions. These core functions include reading data, writing data and exchanging data with a similar device and / or with an external computer. The device preferably has a limited device interface, which is optionally and more preferably only able to interact with other devices according to the present invention and / or computers. Alternatively, a limited user-device interface is provided, for example in order to permit the user to view and select data for data transfer. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the user is able to set one or more permissions for data exchange, such that requests for data exchange that fulfill such permission(s) cause data to be transferred automatically from the device. For example, if the user has determined that data set “A” would be automatically transferred to another device upon request, and such a request is received from another device according to the present invention and / or from a computer, then data set “A” would be automatically transferred to the requesting device when the device is in a stand alone mode and is turned on. Optionally, such a transfer would occur without additional intervention and / or permission from the user. Alternatively, the user may set the permission(s) such that manual approval must be given by the user through a small display / key that might be optionally part of the device when the device receives such a request.

Problems solved by technology

Also, the background art does not teach or suggest a memory storage device which can transfer data directly to another such storage device through a simplified device interface, without first transferring the data to a computer.

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