Patent Publication Number: US-2012028508-A1

Title: Memory Jack

Description:
This application claims the benefit of provisional U.S. Patent application Ser. No. 61/343,776 filed on May 4, 2010 entitled Minute Mat, Memory Jack, Stick It Memory Gate Adjustable Eye Ball, Offset Adjustable Eyeball herein incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates generally to computer data storage backup systems. More particularly, it relates to data storage devices that are hidden away from view. 
     Theft of a computer results in a loss of the computer hardware, and a loss of the data stored on the stolen computer. Storing a copy of one&#39;s files on a backup drive storage device can minimize the loss of data. Backup files are difficult to remember to create, however and if the backup files are stored on a drive near, within or attached to the computer, they may be stolen along with the computer itself. Storing the files in a remote location, while preferred, requires the user to leave the computer workstation to retrieve or deposit the data backups. Should the user forget the secure location, or misplace the hardware; the backup files may be lost. Network computing allows for backup files to exist on another computer, or possibly on a file server in a different location, however, such systems can be expensive to maintain, require a network connection and can be susceptible to network security threats. 
     A need exists for an inexpensive, robust, simple to use backup system that may be left continuously attached to the computer for ease of use, but likely to be left behind should the computer be stolen. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention allows the user to store data safely and securely by connecting the computer directly to a memory storage drive that is safely hidden from view. In the preferred embodiment, the device is disguised as a wall communications jack plate, such as a phone or networking jack. In this preferred embodiment, the data is stored securely behind the wall plate on a non-volatile memory storage device such as a flash memory card that may be securely or removably attached to the wall plate housing. A connecting cable allows transfer of the digital information between the computer and the memory storage drive contained within the housing. In a second embodiment, the invention is configured to resemble a surface mounted phone jack for mounting under or behind a desk, having the memory storage device mounted within the housing. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention is illustrated by the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of a first embodiment of the invention showing a jack plate having memory card storage slots with a communications style jack placed center of the housing. 
         FIG. 2  is a lower front perspective view of the invention also showing a breakaway cable connector. 
         FIG. 3  is a front perspective view of a second version of the first embodiment of the invention with the telephone style jack placed in the upper front surface of the housing. 
         FIG. 4  is a cutaway front perspective view of the first embodiment of the invention showing the processing circuit and memory card slots. 
         FIG. 5  is a front perspective view of a second embodiment of the invention having a surface mount style telephone jack housing showing the data cable connector jack and memory card connector slots. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The drawings illustrate an invention that enables an individual to easily store data in a discrete location. The data drive can be used as an external drive to store original files in a secure location, or may be used as a redundant backup. The invention is configured to resemble a communications port, such as a telephone or Ethernet jack secured to a wall or other object. In the event the computer is moved, the cord will disconnect and the invention will remain behind. The inconspicuous configuration of the invention will increase the likelihood that a thief will leave it untouched. 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the present invention  1  having a housing  10 , a data cable  40  and at least one memory storage drive  60  or  62 . The housing  10  is rectangular in shape, having a front face  12 , a lower edge face  14 , an upper edge face  16 , a left edge face  18  and a right edge face  20 . While the front face  12  in this embodiment possesses chamfered edges  22 , the edges may alternatively be square, or rounded. A communications style jack  26 , such as a telephone 6P6C or Ethernet 8P8C style jack, is positioned in the center of the housing  10  front face  12 . 
     In this first embodiment, the cable  40  possesses a USB compatible male connector plug  42  and a communication style plug  44 . The cable  40  may securely connect each plug  42 ,  44 , or may be designed to disconnect or break should it experience sufficient strain. 
     In this first embodiment  10 , the housing contains slots  30  and  32  for receipt of memory card storage media  60  or  62 . The invention  10 , may contain a single slot  30  or  32  for receipt of a single memory card  60  or  62 , or may contain a plurality of slots  30  and  32  for receipt of one or more memory cards  60  and  62 . Each slot  30  or  32  may be configured to receive multiple styles of memory cards  60  or  62 . 
     In this first embodiment, the memory cards  60  or  62  may be removed, replaced or upgraded at any time. The slots  30  and  32  are discretely positioned in one of the edge faces  14 ,  16 ,  18  or  20  and may not be noticed to a casual observer. To use this embodiment of the invention  1 , a user inserts a flash memory card  60  or  62 , into a slot  30  or  32 . The data transmission cable  40  is connected to port  26  of the housing  10  and to the user&#39;s computer via USB connector  42 . The housing  10  may be mounted to a relatively immovable object such as a wall, desk, or floor. The housing may be secured using double sided tape. The user can then use the invention as a backup storage drive or as a primary drive by moving, copying, creating, editing or otherwise accessing data files on the data storage disks  60  and/or  62  through the computer interface. The device may be left connected to the computer because the breakaway cable or breakaway cable connector will prevent the invention from being torn from its mounted position. In the event that a person of less than stellar morals appropriates the computer, the data storage device will likely be left behind because of the inconspicuous shape and breakaway cable  40  or releasably attached connectors  42  or  44 . 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the invention showing the data flash drives  60 ,  62  inserted into slots  30 ,  32  and the connector  44  aligned with, but not inserted into the communications style jack  26 . The connector  44  possesses a tab  45  to emulate the locking tab often found on similarly styled connectors. Here the connector  44  does not possess a locking barb on the tab  45 , thus the connector may disconnect from the jack  26  upon applying a predetermined tension to the cord. Here the cable  40  contains a break-away connector  80  that disconnects under a predetermined tension. The break-away connector  80 , may be comprised of two portions,  82  and  84  and may possess a female connector array  85  and a male connector array  83 . 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view an alternative version of the first embodiment, having the jack  26  placed closer to the upper portion of the face  12  of the housing  10 . The cable  40  contains a break-away connector  80 . USB connector  42  is shown replaced with another style of connector, an 8P8C connector  46  for insertion into the computer&#39;s Ethernet jack. 
       FIG. 4  is a cutaway view showing the flash memory controller circuitry  50 , a circuit board  52 , flash memory card connectors  30  or  32 , and data transfer connection jack  26  housed within the housing  10 . The memory controller circuitry  50  may also have the ability to store data and/or process data for encryption, password protection, or pass code storage. The built in circuitry  50  of the invention  1  may contain a sufficient amount of memory for backup data storage. In the event that sufficient memory is built in to the circuitry  50 , the invention  1  may not possess flash memory card connectors  30  or  32 , or may possess one or more flash memory card connectors  30  or  32 . to allow for additional data storage. 
       FIG. 5  shows an alternative embodiment of the invention  1  that is configured to look like a surface mount phone jack receptacle housing  11 . The data transfer connection  26  is located on an edge surface. The flash memory card connectors  30  or  32  are also located on an edge surface. 
       FIG. 6  shows a cutaway view of the alternative embodiment resembling a surface mount phone jack receptacle housing  11 . The circuit board  52 , data cable jack connector  26 , memory controller microchip  50  and flash memory card slots  30  and  32  can be seen in the cutaway. 
     To increase heat and fire resistance, the housing  10  or  11  may be manufactured from a fire resistant or fire proof material. 
     The invention  1  may be attached to an immovable object, such as a wall, desk or floor. Preferably the device will be secured by double sided adhesive tape. Other means of securing the device may also be used to secure the invention  1 , including screws or an adhesive.