DATA TRANSMISSION SYSTEM

Abstract: A system [10] for transferring data between a communication device [14] and a data storage device (16) includes a cellular communication network (12) which can communicate with the communication device (14) and the data storage device (16), and a computer programme for providing an interface between data stored in the communication device (14) and the data storage device [16] so that data stored in the communication device (14) can be downloaded onto the data storage device (16) and retrieved from the data storage device (16) via the cellular communication network (12).

Description: DATA TRANSMISSION SYSTEM FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a data transfer system for transferring data between a cellular communication device and a data storage device. The word "data" as used herein refers to data stored within a cellular communication device. Typically such data includes contact names, telephone numbers, email addresses, postal addresses and the like. BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION Data is stored within the memory of a cellular telephone and/or in the SIM card of the cellular telephone. As the storage capacity of cellular telephones increases, so the amount of data stored in cellular telephones generally increases. Consequently, if a cellular telephone is stolen or lost, or if the data is erased accidentally, it is often a cause of great inconvenience to the user of the cellular telephone. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the invention a system for transferring data between a communication device and a data storage device includes a cellular communication network which can communicate with the communication device and the data storage device, and a computer programme for providing an interface between data stored in the communication device and the data storage device so that data stored in the communication device can be downloaded onto the data storage device and retrieved from the data storage device via the cellular communication network. The communication device may be a cellular telephone and the data storage device may be a computer. The cellular communication network may be a GSM network, satellite network, GPRS network or a radio trunking network. According to another aspect of the invention a method of operating a data back-up system for data stored in a communication device includes the steps of providing a data storage device which can communicate with the communication device via a cellular communication network, establishing communication between the data storage device and the communication device, downloading the data from the communication device to the data storage device and, if required, uploading the data from the data storage device to the communication device via the cellular communication network. The method may include the step of sending the communication device a message to enquire if the user of the communication device wishes to backup the data. Such a message may be sent at specific predetermined intervals. The method may include the step of downloading or uploading the data from or to the communication device via a computer interface programme. The communication device may be a cellular telephone and the data storage device may be a computer. The data which has been backed-up may be sent to an electronic address such as an email address. Thus the method may include the step of receiving an electronic address from the user via the cellular communication network, and transmitting the data from the data storage device to a computer which has the given electronic address. A hard copy of the data can be printed out by the computer if required. The data may be transmitted in a compressed format. DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying block diagram. A data transfer or back-up system 10 includes a cellular network 12 which can communicate with a cellular telephone 14 and a data storage computer 16. In use, the network 12 sends the cellular telephone 14 a message at monthly intervals, or at other suitable intervals, enquiring whether or not the user of the telephone wishes to back-up his data. If the user elects to back-up the data, the telephone calls a number which connects it to the data storage computer 16. The data is then downloaded onto the data storage computer via a computer programme. The computer programme enables the data to be downloaded from the SIM card and/or from the memory in the telephone. It will be appreciated that the user of the cellular telephone 14 could initiate the downloading of the data to the data storage computer. If the telephone is lost or stolen, the user, after obtaining another telephone, can telephone the data storage computer, enter an appropriate identity code and retrieve the data from the data storage computer. In addition if required an email address can be communicated to the data storage computer to which the data can be sent so that it can be printed out. The data can be transmitted from the email address to the data storage device from where it can be retrieved by the telephone via the cellular network. In addition fresh data contained on a computer which a user wishes to store in his telephone can be sent via the computer to the data storage device from where it can be retrieved by the telephone via the cellular network. It will be appreciated that many modifications or improvements of the invention are possible without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. A system for transferring data between a communication device and a data storage device including a cellular communication network which can communicate with the communication device and the data storage device, and a computer programme for providing an interface between data stored in the communication device and the data storage device so that data stored in the communication device can be downloaded onto the data storage device and retrieved from the data storage device via the cellular communication network. 2. The system of claim 1 wherein the communication device is a cellular telephone. 3. The system of claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the data storage device is a computer. 4. The system of any of the above claims wherein the cellular communication network is a GSM network, satellite network, GPRS network or a radio trunking network. 5. A method of operating a data back-up system for data stored in a communication device including the steps of providing a data storage device which can communicate with the communication device via a cellular communication network, establishing communication between the data storage device and the communication device, downloading the data from the communication device to the data storage device and, if required, uploading the data from the data storage device to the communication device via the cellular communication network. 6. The method of claim 5 including the step of sending the communication device a message to enquire if the user of the communication device wishes to back-up the data. 7. The method of claim 5 or claim 6 including the step of downloading or uploading the data from or to the communication device via a computer interface programme. 8. The method of any of claims 5 to 7 including the step of downloading or uploading the data in a compressed format.

Inventors: SHEAHAN RORY ANTHONY, SHEAHAN, RORY, ANTHONY
Applicants: SHEAHAN RORY ANTHONY, SHEAHAN, RORY, ANTHONY
Application year: 2001
Main classification: H04Q7
IPC codes: H04W8, H04W24