Patent Abstract:
Embodiments of a system, topology, and methods for providing power and transceiving data to, and backing up data from electronic devices having a data interface are described generally herein. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.

Full Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application claims priority to application Ser. No. 61/303, 354, Attorney Docket TN005US, entitled “APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR SUPPLYING POWER AND DATA TO ELECTRONIC DEVICES”, and filed on Feb. 11, 2010 and application Ser. No. 61/375,847, Attorney Docket TN005USP2, entitled “APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR COMMUNICATING POWER AND DATA WITH ELECTRONIC DEVICES”, and filed on Aug. 22, 2010, Application Ser. No. 13/024,310, Attorney Docket TN005US1, entitled “APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR COMMUNICATING POWER AND DATA WITH ELECTRONIC DEVICES”, and filed on Feb. 9, 2011, and Application Ser. No. 61/450,122, Attorney Docket TN005USP3, entitled “APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR COMMUNICATING POWER AND DATA WITH ELECTRONIC DEVICES”, and filed on Mar. 7, 2011, each application is considered as being part of the disclosure of the accompanying application and is hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    Various embodiments described herein relate to apparatus and methods for providing electrical power and data to electronic devices. 
       BACKGROUND INFORMATION 
       [0003]    It may be desirable to provide off grid power or data to an electronic device having a self-contained storage element using a multiple function secondary power, memory, backup, and data transceiving device. The present invention is such a device. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0004]      FIG. 1A  is a simplified top view diagram of an electronic device memory, data, and power supply apparatus according to various embodiments with a mechanical device interface member refracted. 
           [0005]      FIG. 1B  is a simplified top view diagram of an electronic device memory, data, and power supply apparatus according to various embodiments with a mechanical device interface member deployed. 
           [0006]      FIG. 1C  is a simplified side view diagram of an electronic device memory, data, and power supply apparatus according to various embodiments with a mechanical device interface member refracted. 
           [0007]      FIG. 2A  is a block diagram of an architecture including an electronic device memory, data, and power supply apparatus coupled to a USB chargeable DC powered device according to various embodiments. 
           [0008]      FIG. 2B  is a block diagram of an architecture including an electronic device memory, data, and power supply apparatus coupled to a powered USB device according to various embodiments. 
           [0009]      FIG. 3A  is a block diagram of an architecture including another electronic device memory, data, and power supply apparatus coupled to a USB chargeable device according to various embodiments. 
           [0010]      FIG. 3B  is a block diagram of an architecture including another electronic device memory, data, and power supply apparatus coupled to a powered USB device according to various embodiments. 
           [0011]      FIG. 3C  is a block diagram of an architecture including another electronic device memory, data, and power apparatus coupled to a powered device specific interface device according to various embodiments. 
           [0012]      FIGS. 4A to 4D  are flow diagrams illustrating several methods according to various embodiments. 
           [0013]      FIG. 5A  is a top view of an electronic device memory, data, and power supply apparatus according to various embodiments with a device interface member retracted. 
           [0014]      FIG. 5B  is a bottom view of an electronic device memory, data, and power supply apparatus according to various embodiments with a device interface member retracted. 
           [0015]      FIG. 5C  is another top view of an electronic device memory, data, and power supply apparatus according to various embodiments with a device interface member retracted. 
           [0016]      FIG. 5D  is a bottom view of an electronic device memory, data, and power supply apparatus according to various embodiments with a device interface member deployed. 
           [0017]      FIG. 5E  is a side view of an electronic device memory, data, and power supply apparatus according to various embodiments. 
           [0018]      FIG. 6  is a block diagram of a communication architecture comprising electronic devices, an EDPP, and base station according to various embodiments. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0019]      FIG. 1A  is a simplified top view diagram of an electronic device memory, data, and power supply apparatus  10  according to various embodiments with a device interface member (DIM)  12 A retracted ( 316  of apparatus  300  in  FIG. 5D ).  FIG. 1B  is a simplified top view diagram of an electronic device memory, data, and power supply apparatus  10  according to various embodiments with a device interface member deployed  12 A.  FIG. 1C  is a simplified side view diagram of an electronic device memory, data, and power supply apparatus  10  according to various embodiments with a device interface member  12 A retracted. The memory, power, and data supply (MPDS) apparatus  10  includes a retractable device interface member  12 A, a second deployable device interface member  12 B including a deformable cable  12 F ( 306  with deformable cable  305  of apparatus  300  of  FIG. 5D ), a retraction control slide  12 C, a memory storage interface (MSI)  14 , at least one user detectable element  16 , a multiple contact button  18 , and a connectable hole  15  or carabineer  302  (as shown in  FIGS. 5A-D ). The retractable device interface member (DIM)  12 A,  316  may be a universal serial bus (USB) type male interface. The USB DIM  12 A,  316  may include an orientation tab  12 D and several electrical contacts  12 E. 
         [0020]    In an embodiment, the first and last USB DIM  12 A,  316  electrical contacts  12 E may be used to communicate electrical energy (receive from or provide to a device  130 ). The remaining, four electrical contacts may be used to communicate data. In an embodiment, the second, deployable DIM  12 B, ( 306 ,  FIG. 5D ) may be a mini-USB, micro-USB male interface or other interface type. In an embodiment the interface member  12 A,  316  and interface member  12 B,  306  may support USB and device specific interfaces including propriety device specific interfaces such as the Apple® 30-pin interface. The interface member  12 B,  306  may communicate data with a coupled device (such as  130  of  FIG. 2A ). The interface member  12 B,  306  may also receive electrical energy from a coupled device  130  (to charge an internal storage element  56  of apparatus  10 ,  300  ( FIG. 2A )) or provide electrical energy to a coupled device  130  via the electrical energy storage element  56  of apparatus  10 ,  300 . 
         [0021]    The user detectable element  16  may emit light, sound, vibration, or a combination thereof. In an embodiment, the element  16  may include at least one light emitting diode (LED). The multiple contact button  18  may enable selection of one or more functions of the MPDS apparatus  10  (such as functions as described with reference to  FIGS. 4A to 4D ). In an embodiment the element  16  and contact button  18  (such as contact  312  of  FIG. 5D ) may be a combined mechanism that generates a user detectable signal and enables a user to select one or more functions for the apparatus  10 . The MSI  14  may interface with one or more memory storage elements including a compact flash card, secure digital (SD), miniSD, microSD, SD high capacity (SDHC), miniSDHC, microSDHC, SD extended capacity, and memory stick. The MSI  14  may conform to the SD input-output (SDIO) standard to enable memory card and other devices to communicate with and through the MPDS apparatus  10  via the DIM  12 A,  316 ,  12 B,  306  or wirelessly (via modem  67 A shown in  FIG. 2A ). The other devices may include a Bluetooth interface and broadband data interface. 
         [0022]      FIG. 2A  is a block diagram of an EDPS architecture  100 A including an electronic device MPDS apparatus  10  coupled to a chargeable or powerable device  130  via an interface  32  (USB or other) according to various embodiments. It is noted that any wired interface  32 ,  64  may be employed in addition to a USB interface, including a device specific interface such as shown in  FIG. 3C . The connection  72  may represent the deployable connector  12 A,  316  and second deployable connector  12 B,  306 . The architecture  100 A includes a first MPDS device  10  and an interface for a chargeable or powerable device (USB chargeable or powerable device in an embodiment)  130 . The electronic device  130 ,  30  may be powered and charged by a USB interface  64 ,  264  ( FIG. 2A ,  3 A) (deployable connector  12 A,  316  and second deployable connector  12 B,  306 ). The electronic device  130  may be coupled to a MPDS apparatus  10 ,  200  via a cable  72  coupling the electronic device  130 ,  30  interface  32  to a MPDS apparatus  10 ,  200  interface  64 ,  264 . The cabling  72  may be coupled to the deployable connector  12 A,  316  and second deployable connector  12 B,  306  in an embodiment. The cable  72  may also represent the deployable cable  12 F,  305  of interface  12 B,  306 , respectively. The MPDS apparatus  10 ,  200  may provide electrical energy to one or more devices  130 ,  30  via the interface  32 . The MPDS apparatus may also receive energy from one or more devices  130 ,  30  via the interface  32 . 
         [0023]    In an embodiment, the powerable or chargeable device  130 ,  30  may include a rechargeable electrical storage element  36 . The MPDS apparatus  10 ,  200  may provide electrical energy to one or more devices  130 ,  30  via the interface  32  that is sufficient to a) power the devices  130 ,  30 , b) charge an electrical storage element  36  of the device  130 ,  30 , and c) simultaneously power a device  130 ,  30  and charge an electrical storage element  36  of the device  130 ,  30 . The electrical storage element  36  may be a re-chargeable battery (including chemical and non-chemical such as NiCad, lithium-ion), capacitor, or other device capable of temporarily storing electrical energy. 
         [0024]    In an embodiment, the MPDS apparatus  10 ,  200  may provide a direct current (DC) or alternating current (AC) electrical signal to a device  130 ,  30  via the interface  32 . The electrical signal may have sufficient energy (power, voltage, and current) to power the device  130 ,  30  and charge the electrical storage element  36  where the energy or power requirements of the devices  130 ,  30  may vary. The MPDS apparatus  10 ,  200  may auto-detect the energy or power requirements of a device  130 ,  30  coupled to the MPDS apparatus  10 ,  200  via the interface  64 ,  264  and vary the electrical signal provided on wires  72  accordingly. 
         [0025]    In an embodiment, the MPDS  10 ,  200  may also communicate data to the device  130 ,  30  via the interface  64  or wirelessly via a transceiver/modem  67 A coupled to the antenna  67 B. The data may be stored in one or more internal data storage elements ( 68 ) of the MPDS apparatus  10 ,  200  or transferred from another device coupled to a memory storage or device interface  66 . As noted the memory storage interface  66  may enable communication with various memory storage elements and other devices that communicate with one or more known communication protocols including SDIO. A device  130 ,  30  may be able to communicate data to a device or memory coupled to the memory storage interface  66 ,  266  via the MPDS apparatus  10 ,  200  or the transceiver/modem  67 A (via antenna  37 A and transceiver/modem  37 B). 
         [0026]    In an embodiment, the device  130 ,  30 ,  132  ( FIG. 3C ) may store data in an internal data storage element or memory storage interface  39 . A MPDS  10 ,  200 ,  202  may passively or automatically backup all data, specific data, changed data, or specific changed data of a device  130 ,  30 ,  132  to one or both of the internal data storage elements ( 68 ) and the memory storage or device interface  66 . A user may be able to configure a MPDS  10 ,  200 ,  202  via a USB interface  64 ,  264 , device specific interface  274 , or ASIC  210 ,  212  to passively backup data located on a device  130 ,  30 ,  132 . The MPDS  10 ,  200 ,  202  may detect the data or changes to the data and backup all data or changes of data as a function of the elected backup configuration. A user may select different backup modes including full (all data) and incremental backup (only data that has changed since the last backup). A user may also select the type of data to be copied (backed up)—such as selecting one or more of personal contacts, music, video, pictures, word documents, spreadsheets, or other specific data types. 
         [0027]    A user may also be able to configure a MPDS  10 ,  200 ,  202  to restore backed up to a specific device  130 ,  30 ,  132 . The user may also be to access the backup data to effectively transfer to a different device  130 ,  30 ,  132  or any other computer device (including a laptop, desktop, netbook, for example). In the MPDS  200 ,  202 , the ASIC  210 ,  212  may include internal memory and also include a memory storage interface  266  where device  130 ,  30 ,  132  data to be protected (backed up) may be stored and then restored to the device  130 ,  30 ,  132 , another device  130 ,  30 ,  132 , or other computing device with a data storage device. The MPDS  10 ,  200 ,  202  may also communicate backed up data wirelessly via a modem  67 A to another computing device. A user may specific the delivery or destination of backed up data during a restore. In another embodiment, a MPDS  10 ,  200 ,  202  may copy data from a device  130 ,  30 ,  132  and wirelessly communicate the data to another device for storage including a networked device or Internet coupled device. A user may be able to restore data from the network device to the device  130 ,  30 ,  132  without the MPDS  10 ,  200 ,  202  or via the MPDS  10 ,  200 ,  202  in an embodiment. 
         [0028]    As explained with reference to  FIG. 2B  and  FIG. 3B ,  3 C, the MPDS apparatus  10 ,  200 ,  202  may also be able to receive an electrical signal via the interface  64 ,  264 ,  274  from a powered interface device  30 ,  130  ( FIG. 2B ,  3 B),  132  ( FIG. 3C ) that is sufficient to power the MPDS apparatus or charge an electrical storage element  56  of the MPDS apparatus  10 ,  200 ,  202  including via the interfaces  12 A,  12 B ( FIG. 1A) and 316 ,  306  ( FIG. 5D ). The MPDS  10 ,  200  may also communicate data with the device  130 ,  132  via the interface  32 ,  33  or transceiver/modem  67 A where the data may be stored in one or more internal data storage elements ( 68 ) of the MPDS apparatus  10 ,  200  or transferred from another device coupled to the memory storage or device interface  66 ,  266 . Accordingly, a device  130 ,  132  may be able to communicate data to a device or memory coupled to the memory storage interface  66 ,  266  via the MPDS apparatus  10 ,  200  while providing electrical energy to the MPDS apparatus  10 ,  200 . A MPDS  10 ,  200 ,  202  may also be able to communicate with devices coupled to a network, or network or networks (Internet) where the modem  67 A is able to communicate with a networked device such as a wireless router. 
         [0029]    In another embodiment, a device  30 ,  130 ,  132  may be charged or powered by energy provided from the MPDS apparatus  10 ,  200 ,  202  as a function of the MPDS apparatus  10 ,  200 ,  202  energy capacity and its own capacity or link to another power source such another USB device or on-grid power supply. Such device  30 ,  130 ,  132  may subsequently provide energy to the MPDS apparatus  10 ,  200 ,  202  sufficient to power the MPDS apparatus  10 ,  200 ,  202  and charge one or more storage elements of the MPDS  10 ,  200 ,  202 . For example, the device  30 ,  130 ,  132  may be a portable computing device that includes an internal electrical energy storage element  36  and on-grid power coupling interface  35  where the power interface  35  may include a transformer or inverter. When the device  30 ,  130 ,  132  is coupled to an on-grid power source (AC or DC)  20  such as shown in  FIG. 2B  or its internal storage element  36  has sufficient energy, the device  30 ,  130 ,  132  may provide power on its interface  32 . In an embodiment, the power source  20 A may be an AC power source. The power source  20 A may be part of an electrical distribution network, independent electrical source, or localized electrical source including a battery  36 , generator, or solar generation module. 
         [0030]    The MPDS apparatus  10 ,  200 ,  202  may detect when power is provided on the USB interface  64 ,  264 ,  274  via cable  72 ,  73 . The MPDS apparatus  10 ,  200 ,  202  may then use this power to operate or charge one or more storage elements  56 . The device  30 ,  130 ,  132  may lose its on-grid power source  20  (become decoupled or power loss), or its internal storage element  56  may become depleted to a preset level where the device  30 ,  130 ,  132  does not provide power on the interface  32 ,  33 . In such an embodiment or state, the MPDS apparatus may detect the lack of an electrical signal with a sufficient voltage or current level on the interface  64 ,  264 ,  274 . 
         [0031]    The MPDS apparatus  30 ,  200 ,  202  as a function of its own internal storage elements  56  levels (voltage or current) may provide electrical energy on the interface  64 ,  74  to the device  30 ,  130 ,  132 . This cycle may alternate as a function of the respective energy levels of the respective storage elements  36 ,  56  and the presence of an on-grid power source  20 . In an embodiment, the MPDS apparatus  10  may employ a power sensor  42  to determine when the power or energy on the USB interface  64  is sufficient to power or charge the MPDS apparatus  10  and controls the switch  54  accordingly via a switch controller module  46 . It is noted that the device  30 ,  130 ,  132  may be a USB charger in an embodiment where the charger is coupled to an on-grid source  20  and charges the MPDS apparatus  10 ,  200  storage elements  56 . 
         [0032]    When the MPDS apparatus has detected insufficient energy or power levels on the USB interface  64  via the power sensor  42 , the switch controller module  46  may set the switch  54  to provide electrical energy from one or more storage elements  56  and the second transformer  45  to the USB interface until the storage elements  56  reach a minimal, preset level. The switch controller module  46  may then set the switch  54  to receive electrical energy (if any) from the USB interface  64  as shown in  FIG. 2B . The switch controller module  46  may also set the switch  54  to receive electrical energy from the USB interface  64  when the power sensor  42  detects sufficient electrical energy on the USB interface  64 . In another embodiment, a device  30 ,  130 ,  132  may communicate data that it is able or unable to provide sufficient electrical energy to the MPDS apparatus  10 ,  200 ,  202  and the MPDS apparatus  10  may set the switch  54  via the switch controller module  46  accordingly. 
         [0033]    The transformer  44  may convert the energy level (voltage and current received from a device  30 ,  130 ,  132  via the interface  64  to a level sufficient to power the MPDS apparatus  10  or charge one or more internal storage elements  56  via a charging module  48 . Accordingly, the MPDS apparatus may be able to be charged from a lower power USB source while providing a higher power charging signal or energy to another device  30 ,  130 ,  132 . The MPDS apparatus  10 ,  200  may also include a user detectable device  58  where the device provides an indication of the charging or discharging state of the one or more storage elements  56 . The user detectable device  58  may also indicate data transfer activity with an internal memory  68  or a device coupled to the memory storage interface  66 . 
         [0034]    In the MPDS apparatus  200  the power sensor  42 , the switch controller  46 , the switch  54 , the charging module  48 , the first transformer  44 , the second transformer  45 , the user detectable device, the internal memory  68 , the memory storage device  66 , and the USB interface  64  may be implemented in one or more application specific integrated circuits (ASIC). One or more elements may be separately coupled to the ASIC. 
         [0035]    In an embodiment the MPDS  10  of  FIGS. 2A ,  2 B may further include a transceiver/modem module (TMM)  67 A and an antenna  67 B. The TMM  67 A may be any device capable of communicating data in one or more data communication formats including wireless and wired formats. Referring to  FIG. 6 , the TMM  67 A may be included in an MPDS  10 ,  200 ,  202 ,  300 . The MPDS  10 ,  200 ,  202 ,  300  may be part of a wireless architecture  400  that may include one or more wireless or wired devices  30 ,  130 ,  132  and a wireless data or voice provider base station  420 . The TMM  67 A may include a transceiver and modem that may communicate digital data or voice signals with one or more electronic devices ( 30 ,  130 ,  132 A) and the digital data and voice signal base station or router  420 . 
         [0036]    The base station  420  may be part of a larger network that may communicate with other base stations, electronics devices  30 ,  130 ,  132 A, MPDS  10 ,  200 ,  202 , computers, and networks of networks (commonly termed the “Internet”). In an embodiment, the base station  420  may communicate data with the MPDS  10  TMM  67 A using one or more known digital communication formats including a cellular protocol such as code division multiple access (CDMA), time division multiple access (TDMA), Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), cellular digital packet data (CDPD), Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX), satellite format (COMSAT) format, and local protocol such as wireless local area network (commonly called “WiFi”) and Bluetooth. 
         [0037]    In an embodiment, the TMM  67 A may act as an Internet Service Provider (ISP). Accordingly the TMM  67 A may enable local data communication between the wireless (or wired via interface  64 ) devices  30 ,  130 ,  132 A. The TMM  67 A may also communicate data requests to remote internet protocol “IP” addresses via a URL or IP address. In an embodiment, a TMM  67 A or MPDS  10 ,  200 ,  202  may employ the process  240  shown in  FIG. 4B  to process one or more electronic data (that may include electronic data or voice in an electronic format) requests from one or more electronic devices  30 ,  130 ,  132 . As noted an electronic device  30 ,  130 ,  132  may communicate a request for data via a physical or wired connection(s) such as connectors  12 A,  12 B shown in  FIG. 1A  or via a wireless signal. 
         [0038]    As shown in  FIG. 4B , upon receipt of a data request (activity  242 ) from an electronic device  30 ,  130 ,  132  via a wired or wireless signal, a MPDS  10 ,  200 ,  202 ,  300  may first determine whether the requesting device is registered or permitted to employ the MPDS  10 ,  200 ,  202  to request data (from an external source via the TMM  67 A or locally via an memory device  66  or  68  as shown in  FIG. 2A ). A MPDS  10 ,  200 ,  202  may require a requesting device  30 ,  130 ,  132  to register using a known protocol or provide a security key. A MPDS  10 ,  200 ,  202  may send webpages to a requesting device  30 ,  130 ,  132  where the webpage includes a registration or security questions. The registration or security webpage may enable an electronic device  30 ,  130 ,  132  to be registered with the MPDS  10 ,  200 ,  202 . Such registration may be time or data usage limited as a function of the device  30 ,  130 ,  132  registration or security information. 
         [0039]    The webpage may also include options for data backup functions including options and restoring data from a backup. The webpage may allow a user to select the type of data and type of backup to be performed for the data. The webpage may also allow a user to designate multiple backup destinations including networked (via the modem  67 A) locations or devices. The data types may include device  30 ,  130 ,  132  such as operating system data, multimedia data (including music, video, and pictures), and business or personal data (such as contracts, calendars, word, spreadsheet, and presentation files). 
         [0040]    A MPDS  10 ,  200 ,  202  may process the data request (activity  246 ) by determining whether the requested data is stored on the MPDS  10 ,  200 ,  202  or request is to a local device  30 ,  130 ,  132 , or request is outside the local network. When the data requested is on the MPDS, the MPDS may send the data to the requesting device (activity  248 ). Otherwise, the MPDS  10 ,  200 ,  202  may then generate a corresponding data request using the appropriate protocol (such as IP) and send the data request to either a local device  30 ,  130 ,  132  or to a base station  420  as appropriate. The MPDS  10 ,  200 ,  202  may then transceive data requests and responses between the requesting device  30 ,  130 ,  132  and the responding device  30 ,  130 ,  132  or base station  420  (activity  248 ). As shown in  FIGS. 2A to 3C , the electronic device  30 ,  130 ,  132  may include a modem  37 B and an antenna  37 A to transceive signals with a MPDS  10 ,  200 ,  202 . 
         [0041]    In an embodiment, the MPDS  10 ,  200 ,  202  TMM  67 A may communicate digital signals with the base station  420  using a first digital communication protocol and the electronic devices  30 ,  130 ,  132 A using a second, different communication protocol. For example, the MPDS  10 ,  200 ,  202  TMM  67 A may communicate with the base station  420  using a cellular protocol such as code division multiple access (CDMA), time division multiple access (TDMA), Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX) or COMSAT protocol and communicate with the electronic devices  30 ,  130 ,  132  using a local protocol including WiFi and Bluetooth. 
         [0042]    As known to one skilled on the art the Bluetooth protocol includes several versions including v1.0, v1.0B, v1.1, v1.2, v2.0+EDR, v2.1+EDR, v3.0+HS, and v4.0. The Bluetooth protocol is an efficient packet-based protocol that may employ frequency-hopping spread spectrum radio communication signals with up to 79 bands, each band 1 MHz in width, the respective 79 bands operating in the frequency range 2402-2480 MHz. Non-EDR (extended data rate) Bluetooth protocols may employ a Gaussian frequency-shift keying (GFSK) modulation. EDR Bluetooth may employ a differential quadrature phase-shift keying (DQPSK) modulation. 
         [0043]    The WiFi protocol may conform to a Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 protocol. The IEEE 802.11 protocols may employ a single-carrier direct-sequence spread spectrum radio technology and a multi-carrier orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) protocol. In an embodiment, one or more electronic devices  30 ,  130 ,  132  may communicate with the MPDS  10  TMM  67 A via a WiFi protocol. 
         [0044]    The cellular formats CDMA, TDMA, GSM, CDPD, and WiMax are well known to one skilled in the art. It is noted that the WiMax protocol may be used for local communication between the one or more electronic devices  30 ,  130 ,  132  may communicate with the MPDS  10  TMM  67 A. The WiMax protocol is part of an evolving family of standards being developed by the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) to define parameters of a point-to-multipoint wireless, packet-switched communications systems. In particular, the 802.16 family of standards (e.g., the IEEE std. 802.16-2004 (published Sep. 18, 2004)) may provide for fixed, portable, and/or mobile broadband wireless access networks. 
         [0045]    Additional information regarding the IEEE 802.16 standard may be found in IEEE Standard for Local and Metropolitan Area Networks—Part 16: Air Interface for Fixed Broadband Wireless Access Systems (published Oct. 1, 2004). See also IEEE 802.16E-2005, IEEE Standard for Local and Metropolitan Area Networks—Part 16: Air Interface for Fixed and Mobile Broadband Wireless Access Systems—Amendment for Physical and Medium Access Control Layers for Combined Fixed and Mobile Operation in Licensed Bands (published Feb. 28, 2006). Further, the Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX) Forum facilitates the deployment of broadband wireless networks based on the IEEE 802.16 standards. For convenience, the terms “802.16” and “WiMAX” may be used interchangeably throughout this disclosure to refer to the IEEE 802.16 suite of air interface standards. 
         [0046]    As noted, one or more electronic devices  30 ,  130 ,  132  may be coupled the MPDS  10 ,  200 ,  202  via a physical connection such as via  12 A,  12 B shown in  FIG. 1A and 316 ,  306  shown in  FIGS. 5A-5E . The TMM  67 A may employ one or more wired digital data communication protocols to communicate with an electronic device  30 ,  130 ,  132  in such an embodiment including the Ethernet protocol or Internet protocol (IP), IEEE 802.3. Using wired or wireless communication, a MPDS  10 ,  200 ,  202  may enable an electronic device  30 ,  130 ,  132  to communicate digital with the Internet and corresponding act as a “mobile hotspot”, mobile broadband device, and ISP. In an embodiment the antenna  67 B may be circular antenna with multiple, selectable connections to elect the wavelength/frequency of signals to be communicated with an electronic device  30 ,  130 ,  132  and base station  420 . 
         [0047]    As noted above  FIGS. 3A and 3B  are block diagrams of a MPDS apparatus  200  that employs an ASIC  210  according to various embodiments. The MPDS apparatus  200  may include an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC)  210 , an antenna  67 B and an electrical storage element  56 . The ASIC  210  may include a TMM  67 A, memory storage interface  266 , USB interface  264 , and one or more user detectable signal generation modules  258  as part of or coupled to the ASIC  210 . The ASIC  210  may perform the functions of transformers  44 ,  45 , a switch controller module  46 , a charging module  48 , a USB interface  64 , a memory storage interface  266 , an internal memory  268 , a TMM  67 A, and a multiple position switch  54 . In an embodiment, the MPDS apparatus  200  USB interface  264  may be one of a male or female based electrical contact interface and the device  30 ,  130  USB interface  32  may be one of a female or male USB interface, respectively The interface  264  may also be device specific or other interfaces  12 A,  12 B,  316 ,  306 . 
         [0048]    In embodiment, the MPDS apparatus  200  ASIC  210  may receive an electrical signal from the USB interface  264  and the electrical storage element  56 . The ASIC  210  may determine whether the electrical signal provided by the storage element is sufficient to provide power one or more device(s)  30  and may direct energy from the electrical storage element  56  to provide an electrical signal on an USB interface  264  built into the ASIC  210 . An electrical cable  72  may couple the ASIC  210  USB interface  264  to the device  30  USB interface  32  where the cable  72  may represent the cable  12 F,  305  of interface  12 B,  306 , respectively. The interface  264  may include the interface  12 A,  12 B,  316 , or  306  to couple to the device  30  interface  32 . The ASIC  210  may also control the charging of the electrical storage element  56  when sufficient electrical energy is provided on the USB interface  264  ( FIG. 3B ). 
         [0049]    The ASIC  210  may further transform the electrical energy provided by the USB interface  264  to the DC voltage/amperage rating needed to charge the electrical storage element  56 . The ASIC  210  via one or more user detectable signal generation modules  258  ( 16  or  18  of  FIG. 1A and 312  of  FIG. 5D ) may inform a user when the electrical storage element  56  is being charged, discharged, external power is present, and when one or more DC powered devices  30 ,  130 ,  132  are electrically coupled to the MPDS apparatus  200 . The one or more user detectable signal generation modules  258  ( 16  or  18  of  FIG. 1A and 312  of  FIG. 5D ) may also indicate data communication between the MPDS  10 ,  200 ,  202  and an electronic device  30 ,  130 ,  132  or base station  420 . In an embodiment, a user detectable signal generation module  58 ,  258 , ( 16  or  18  of  FIG. 1A and 312  of  FIG. 5D ) may include one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs), other light generation devices, vibration modules, or audible generation devices (speakers). 
         [0050]      FIG. 3C  is a block diagram of another MPDS apparatus architecture  100 C according to various embodiments. The DC powered device  132  in the architecture  100 C may have a device specific interface  33 . The MPDS apparatus  202  may include an ASIC  212  that has a corresponding device specific interface  274 , an antenna  67 B, and an electrical storage element  56 . The ASIC  212  may include a TMM  67 A, a memory storage interface  266 , the device specific interface  274 , and one or more user detectable signal generation modules  258  as part of or coupled to the ASIC  212 . The ASIC  212  may receive from or provide electrical energy to the device  132  via the device specific interface  274  coupled via wires  73  to the device  132  device specific interface  33  where the wires  73  may represent the deformable wires or cables  12 F,  305  of interface  12 B,  306 . The device specific interface  274  may also be deployable such as interface  12 A,  316  of  FIG. 1A and 5C , respectively. 
         [0051]      FIG. 4A  is a flow diagram illustrating several methods  220  according to various embodiments. A MPDS  10 ,  200 ,  202  may employ the method  220  illustrated by the  FIG. 4A  flow diagram. The method  220  may determine whether sufficient power is being provided by a device on the USB interface  12 A,  12 B,  64 ,  264 ,  316 ,  306  or device specific interface  274  to power the MPDS apparatus  10 ,  200 ,  202  (activity  222 ). When a. the power is insufficient (activity  222 ); b. the storage element level is sufficient (activity  224 ); and c. at least one device  30 ,  130 ,  132  is coupled to the MPDS activity  10 ,  200 ,  202 , (activity  225 ), the method  220  may provide energy to the one or more devices  30 ,  130 ,  132  from an electrical storage element  56  (activity  226 ) and provide an indication of the electrical storage element status  56  via the user detectable signal generation device  58 ,  258 ,  16 ,  18 ,  312  (activity  228 ). In an embodiment, the method  220  may also require a user to depress a button  16 ,  312  in one or more directions in addition to the conditions of activities  224 ,  225  prior to providing electrical energy from a storage element  56  to a coupled device  30 ,  130 ,  132 . 
         [0052]    When sufficient power is detected on the USB interface  64 ,  264 , or device specific interface  274  (activity  222 ) and the electrical storage device  56  is not fully charged (activity  232 ) the method  220  may charge the electrical storage element  56  (activity  234 ) and provide an indication of the electrical storage element  56  charge level via the user detectable signal generation device  58 ,  258 ,  16 ,  18 ,  312  (activity  236 ). In an embodiment the method  220  may also power the MPDS apparatus  10 ,  200 ,  202  to communicate data between the apparatus  10 ,  200 ,  202  and a coupled device  30 ,  130 ,  132 , TMM  67 A, and internal memory  66  and a memory storage interface  68 . 
         [0053]      FIG. 4C  is a flow diagram illustrating several methods  320  according to various embodiments when a MPDS  10 ,  200 ,  202 ,  300  is coupled to a device  30 ,  130 ,  132  via an interface  12 A,  12 B,  72 ,  73 ,  306 ,  316  or wirelessly. A MPDS  10 ,  200 ,  202 ,  300  may employ the method  260  illustrated by the  FIG. 4C  flow diagram to backup data stored on a device  130 ,  30 ,  132  (such in the device  130 ,  30 ,  132  memory  39 ). In the backup method  320 , when passive backup is active (been configured by a user to be active such as by a webpage from the MDPS  10 ,  200 ,  202 ) (activity  322 ), the method  320  may first determine the type of backup to be performed (activity  324 ). A user may elect to backup all data of selected types or only the selected data that has changed since the last backup (incremental backup). When the selected data types such as operating system data, multimedia data (including music, video, and pictures), and business or personal data (such as contracts, calendars, word, spreadsheet, and presentation files) includes changed data and incremental is selected, the method  320  may update backup data with the new or changed data (activity  324 ,  326 ,  328 ). 
         [0054]    As noted the backup data may be stored locally on a MPDS  10 ,  200 ,  202  or on a networked device where the data is communicated from a device  130 ,  30 ,  132  to the networked device via a MPDS  10 ,  200 ,  202  modem  67 A. Similarly when a full backup has been configured, the selected data may be backed up locally on a MPDS  10 ,  200 ,  202  or on a networked device where the data is communicated from a device  130 ,  30 ,  132  to the networked device via a MPDS  10 ,  200 ,  202  modem  67 A (activity  332 ,  334 ). 
         [0055]      FIG. 4D  is a flow diagram illustrating several methods  280  according to various embodiments. A MPDS  10 ,  200 ,  202 ,  330  may employ the method  280  illustrated by the  FIG. 4D  flow diagram to enable a user to configure the backup options for data stored on a device  130 ,  30 ,  132  (such in the device  130 ,  30 ,  132  memory  39 ) or restore data previously backed up. The method  280  may enable a user to configure one or more backup options for the device  10 ,  200 ,  202 ,  300  (activity  282 ). As noted a webpage may enable a user to configure various data backup options or to restore data from one or more backups (activity  288 ). The webpage may enable a user to select the type of data and type of backup to be performed for the data (activity  284 ,  286 ). The webpage may also enable a user to designate multiple backup destinations including networked (via the modem  67 A) locations or devices (activity  284 ). The method  280  or webpage may also enable a user to select the device  30 ,  130 ,  132  data types to be protected or backed up including data types such as operating system data, multimedia data (including music, video, and pictures), and business or personal data (such as contracts, calendars, word, spreadsheet, and presentation files) (activity  286 ). 
         [0056]    The method  280  may also enable a user to restore data from one or more backups to a device  130 ,  30 ,  132  or other computer device (activity  292 ). The method  280  may enable data from several locations including local to a MPDS  10 ,  200 ,  202 ,  300  or networked to be used to restore data to a device  130 ,  30 ,  132 , other coupled device, or to a networked device (activity  292 ). 
         [0057]      FIG. 5A  is a top view of a MPDS apparatus  300  according to various embodiments with a device interface member  316  retracted.  FIG. 5B  is a bottom view of an MPDS apparatus  300  according to various embodiments.  FIG. 5C  is another top view of a MPDS apparatus  300  according to various embodiments.  FIG. 5D  is a bottom view of an MPDS apparatus  300  according to various embodiments with a device interface member  306  deployed.  FIG. 5E  is a side view of a MPDS apparatus  300  according to various embodiments. The MPDS apparatus  300  includes retraction slide  304 , mini-USB or micro-USB interface  306  in deployment mechanism  308 , a memory storage interface  314 , a retractable male USB interface  316 , an operation button  312  with LED, and a carabineer  302  all encased in a housing  301 . The button  312  may protrude from a section of the housing  301 . The retractable male interface  316  may also protrude from a section of the housing  301 . The mini-USB or micro-USB interface  306  may include a section adjacent the housing  301 . The mini-USB or micro-USB  306  and male USB  316  may be coupled to a USB interface  64 ,  264 . The button  312  may have several contacts or positions that enable a user to charge and discharge an internal storage element  56  and couple and uncouple devices in the memory storage interface  314 . 
         [0058]    The mini-USB or micro-USB  306  may include a deformable cable  305  and locking mechanism  308 . The locking mechanism  308  may be a flexible material including one or more tabs that engage the apparatus  300  housing  301  to hold the interface  306  in a stored position when not deployed. The user control-user perceptible device/button  312  may also enable a user to select or engage backup of data on a device  30 ,  130 ,  132  coupled to the apparatus  300 . In an embodiment a MPDS apparatus  10 ,  200 ,  202 ,  300  may be about 2 to 4 inches in length, 0.5 to 2 inches in width, about 0.2 to 1 inch in height. 
         [0059]    Any of the components previously described can be implemented in a number of ways, including embodiments in software. Any of the components previously described can be implemented in a number of ways, including embodiments in software. Thus, the transformers  44 ,  45 , switch controller module  46 , charging module  48 , USB interface  64 ,  264 , device specific interface  274 , TMM  67 A, and memory storage interface  68  may all be characterized as “modules” herein. 
         [0060]    The modules may include hardware circuitry, single or multi-processor circuits, memory circuits, software program modules and objects, firmware, and combinations thereof, as desired by the architect of the architecture  10  and as appropriate for particular implementations of various embodiments. The apparatus and systems of various embodiments may be useful in applications other than a sales architecture configuration. They are not intended to serve as a complete description of all the elements and features of apparatus and systems that might make use of the structures described herein. 
         [0061]    Applications that may include the novel apparatus and systems of various embodiments include electronic circuitry used in high-speed computers, communication and signal processing circuitry, modems, single or multi-processor modules, single or multiple embedded processors, data switches, and application-specific modules, including multilayer, multi-chip modules. Such apparatus and systems may further be included as sub-components within and couplable to a variety of electronic systems, such as televisions, cellular telephones, personal computers (e.g., laptop computers, desktop computers, handheld computers, tablet computers, etc.), workstations, radios, video players, audio players (e.g., mp3 players), vehicles, medical devices (e.g., heart monitor, blood pressure monitor, etc.) and others. Some embodiments may include a number of methods. 
         [0062]    It may be possible to execute the activities described herein in an order other than the order described. Various activities described with respect to the methods identified herein can be executed in repetitive, serial, or parallel fashion. A software program may be launched from a computer-readable medium in a computer-based system to execute functions defined in the software program. Various programming languages may be employed to create software programs designed to implement and perform the methods disclosed herein. The programs may be structured in an object-orientated format using an object-oriented language such as Java or C++. Alternatively, the programs may be structured in a procedure-orientated format using a procedural language, such as assembly or C. The software components may communicate using a number of mechanisms well known to those skilled in the art, such as application program interfaces or inter-process communication techniques, including remote procedure calls. The teachings of various embodiments are not limited to any particular programming language or environment. 
         [0063]    The accompanying drawings that form a part hereof show, by way of illustration and not of limitation, specific embodiments in which the subject matter may be practiced. The embodiments illustrated are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the teachings disclosed herein. Other embodiments may be utilized and derived therefrom, such that structural and logical substitutions and changes may be made without departing from the scope of this disclosure. This Detailed Description, therefore, is not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of various embodiments is defined only by the appended claims, along with the full range of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. 
         [0064]    Such embodiments of the inventive subject matter may be referred to herein individually or collectively by the term “invention” merely for convenience and without intending to voluntarily limit the scope of this application to any single invention or inventive concept, if more than one is in fact disclosed. Thus, although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, any arrangement calculated to achieve the same purpose may be substituted for the specific embodiments shown. This disclosure is intended to cover any and all adaptations or variations of various embodiments. Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments not specifically described herein, will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. 
         [0065]    The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided to comply with 37 C.F.R. § 1.72(b), requiring an abstract that will allow the reader to quickly ascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. In the foregoing Detailed Description, various features are grouped together in a single embodiment for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted to require more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, inventive subject matter may be found in less than all features of a single disclosed embodiment. Thus, the following claims are hereby incorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment.

Technology Classification (CPC): 6