Abstract:
System and method to transferably store a system state of an electronic component, the system including a processor and a circuit module. The processor is configured to decompose the system state into a plurality of data vectors, and to map each of the plurality of data vectors to a respective bit marker. The circuit module is removably coupled to the electronic component, the circuit module including a memory and a transceiver. The transceiver is coupled to the memory and to a communication link between the memory and the processor, the transceiver operable to send and to receive data at a rate faster than 640 MBps. Data sent and received by the transceiver comprises bit markers mapped by the processor.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/296,044, filed on Feb. 16, 2016, the entire content of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. This application also is a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/089,729, filed on Apr. 4, 2016, which in turn claims the benefit of 62/289,686, filed on Feb. 1, 2016. The content of all applications referenced above are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Field 
         [0003]    Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to system cloning, and in particular to cloning a computer system via transfer of a physical object. 
         [0004]    Description of Related Art 
         [0005]    Systems and methods of compact data storage by use of bit markers are known. For example, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0223118, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0279911, and U.S. Pat. No. 9,467,294, each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties, describe systems, apparatus and methods to use bit markers, marker tables, mediators, and related structure and/or functions to quickly and compactly store data, and retrieve the data quickly. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY 
       [0006]    In one embodiment, a removable portion of an electronic equipment may include a processor coupled to data storage. The removable portion is configurable to store a backup of a first computer system, such that the computer system may be functionally restored on a second, separate computer system by physically moving the removable portion from the first computer system to the second computer system. In some embodiments, the removable portion may include a multimodal status indicator. 
         [0007]    Embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure include a system and method to transferably store a system state of an electronic component, the system including a processor and a circuit module. The processor is configured to decompose the system state into a plurality of data vectors, and to map each of the plurality of data vectors to a respective bit marker. The circuit module is removably coupled to the electronic component, the circuit module including a memory and a transceiver. The transceiver is coupled to the memory and to a communication link between the memory and the processor, the transceiver operable to send and to receive data at a rate faster than 640 MBps. Data sent and received by the transceiver comprises bit markers mapped by the processor. 
         [0008]    The preceding is a simplified summary of embodiments of the disclosure to provide an understanding of some aspects of the disclosure. This summary is neither an extensive nor exhaustive overview of the disclosure and its various embodiments. It is intended neither to identify key or critical elements of the disclosure nor to delineate the scope of the disclosure but to present selected concepts of the disclosure in a simplified form as an introduction to the more detailed description presented below. As will be appreciated, other embodiments of the disclosure are possible utilizing, alone or in combination, one or more of the features set forth above or described in detail below. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]    The above and still further features and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description of embodiments thereof, especially when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals in the various figures are utilized to designate like components, and wherein: 
           [0010]      FIG. 1A  is a simplified oblique view of a first electronic component with a detachably attached portion, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0011]      FIG. 1B  is a simplified oblique view of a first electronic component with a detachable portion detached from the first electronic component, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and 
           [0012]      FIG. 1C  is a simplified oblique view of a second electronic component with a detachable portion from the first electronic component attached to the second electronic component, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2A  is a simplified oblique view of a first electronic component with a detachable portion of a faceplate detached from the first electronic component, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and 
           [0014]      FIG. 2B  is an overhead plan view of a detachable circuit module in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  illustrates at a high level of abstraction a functional block diagram of a first and second electronic component, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  illustrates a method in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
           [0017]    The headings used herein are for organizational purposes only and are not meant to be used to limit the scope of the description or the claims. As used throughout this application, the word “may” is used in a permissive sense (i.e., meaning having the potential to), rather than the mandatory sense (i.e., meaning must). Similarly, the words “include”, “including”, and “includes” mean including but not limited to. To facilitate understanding, like reference numerals have been used, where possible, to designate like elements common to the figures. Optional portions of the figures may be illustrated using dashed or dotted lines, unless the context of usage indicates otherwise. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0018]    The exemplary systems and methods of this disclosure will also be described in relation to software, modules, and associated hardware. However, to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the present disclosure, the following description omits well-known structures, components and devices that may be shown in block diagram form, are well known, or are otherwise summarized. 
         [0019]    In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments or other examples described herein. In some instances, well-known methods, procedures, components and circuits have not been described in detail, so as to not obscure the following description. Further, the examples disclosed are for exemplary purposes only and other examples may be employed in lieu of, or in combination with, the examples disclosed. It should also be noted the examples presented herein should not be construed as limiting of the scope of embodiments of the present disclosure, as other equally effective examples are possible and likely. 
         [0020]    As used herein, the term “module” refers generally to a logical sequence or association of steps, processes or components. For example, a software module may comprise a set of associated routines or subroutines within a computer program or encoded within firmware. Alternatively, a module may comprise a substantially self-contained hardware device. A module may also comprise a logical set of processes irrespective of any software or hardware implementation. 
         [0021]    A module that performs a function also may be referred to as being configured to perform the function, e.g., a data module that receives data also may be described as being configured to receive data. Configuration to perform a function may include, for example: providing and executing computer code in a processor that performs the function; providing provisionable configuration parameters that control, limit, enable or disable capabilities of the module (e.g., setting a flag, setting permissions, setting threshold levels used at decision points, etc.); providing a physical connection, such as a jumper to select an option, or to enable/disable an option; attaching a physical communication link; enabling a wireless communication link; providing electrical circuitry that is designed to perform the function without use of a processor, such as by use of discrete components and/or non-CPU integrated circuits; energizing a circuit that performs the function (e.g., providing power to a transceiver circuit in order to receive data); and so forth. 
         [0022]    As used herein, the term “transmitter” may generally comprise any device, circuit, or apparatus capable of transmitting a signal. As used herein, the term “receiver” may generally comprise any device, circuit, or apparatus capable of receiving a signal. As used herein, the term “transceiver” may generally comprise any device, circuit, or apparatus capable of transmitting and receiving a signal. As used herein, the term “signal” may include one or more of an electrical signal, a radio signal, an optical signal, an acoustic signal, and so forth. 
         [0023]    As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, aspects of the present disclosure may be embodied as a system, method or computer program product. Accordingly, aspects of the present disclosure may take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment (including firmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.) or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects that may all generally be referred to herein as a “circuit,” “module” or “system.” Furthermore, aspects of the present disclosure may take the form of a computer program product embodied in one or more computer readable medium(s) having computer readable program code embodied thereon. 
         [0024]    Any combination of one or more computer readable medium(s) may be utilized. The computer readable medium may be a computer readable signal medium or a computer readable storage medium. A computer readable storage medium excludes a computer readable signal medium such as a propagating signal. A computer readable storage medium may be, for example, but not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, or device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. More specific examples (a non-exhaustive list) of the computer readable storage medium would include the following: a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. In the context of this document, a computer readable storage medium may be any tangible medium that can contain, or store a program for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device. 
         [0025]    A computer readable signal medium may include a propagated data signal with computer readable program code embodied therein, for example, in baseband or as part of a carrier wave. Such a propagated signal may take any of a variety of forms, including, but not limited to, electro-magnetic, optical, or any suitable combination thereof. A computer readable signal medium may be any computer readable medium that is not a computer readable storage medium and that can communicate, propagate, or transport a program for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device. Program code embodied on a computer readable medium may be transmitted using any appropriate medium, including but not limited to wireless, wireline, optical fiber cable, RF, etc., or any suitable combination of the foregoing. 
         [0026]    An electronic component (e.g., a desktop PC, a rack-mounted server, etc.) commonly includes a processor coupled to a memory. A case often forms at least part of the outer periphery. Some electrical controls or indicators may be accessible or visible on or in the case, e.g., a power switch, various LEDs, etc. However, the portions of the outer periphery with the electrical controls or indicators are not designed to be removable without major disassembly (e.g., by taking apart the electronic component, or by opening up the case and exposing an interior portion of the case, etc.), and in particular are not designed to be removable while the electronic component continues to operate. 
         [0027]    In contrast, embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure provide a removable portion of an electronic component. The removable portion includes a memory, and the removable portion is designed to be removable and re-installable while the rest of the electronic component continues to operate with at least a portion of its functions. The removable portion may be removable by hand and/or by simple hand tools (e.g., a knurled screw head that could be turned either by hand or by screwdriver, etc.). 
         [0028]    In some embodiments, the removable portion may include a removable circuit board, a removable faceplate that includes electronic components, a removable portion of the faceplate, and so forth. The removable faceplate or portion thereof may further include a processor, in addition to a processor in the remainder of the electronic component. The removable portion may be electrically and physically coupled to the electronic component such that the removable portion is hot-swappable, i.e., that the removable portion may be detached and/or reattached without shutting down the rest of the electronic component. The removable portion may include a high-speed communication interface (faster than USB speeds [asw1] , e.g., PCIe speed or faster) between the removable portion and the electronic component. 
         [0029]    In some embodiments, the electronic component may act as a block-addressable device to store data in a bit marker format. Bit marker based storage devices do not rely upon a file system to store and retrieve data from the storage device. The electronic component may include a device controller to manage low-level control of the storage device, based upon relatively higher-level control from the processor. 
         [0030]      FIG. 1A  illustrates a simplified oblique view of a first electronic component  101  coupled to a removable portion  103 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Removable portion  103  includes a memory  105 , which also may be coupled optionally to a processor  106  housed in removable portion  103 . First electronic component  101  may incorporate a separate processor and memory (not illustrated) to support operations of first electronic component  101 .  FIG. 1A  further illustrates a second electronic component  111  without a faceplate. In some embodiments, second electronic component  111  may be substantially identical to first electronic component  101 . 
         [0031]    In some embodiments, first electronic component  101  may be executing backup functions, e.g., by use of bit markers, marker tables, mediators, and related structure and/or function technology. In some embodiments, the backup functions may be implemented by way of a fast system state clone backup. At least a portion of the data created by the backup functions executing in first electronic component  101  may be stored in memory  105 , by use of an electrical connection between memory  105  and the processor in first electronic component  101 . In some embodiments, backup functions may be performed by processor  106 . In some embodiments, a portion of the data (e.g., bit markers) may be stored in memory  105 , and a separate portion of the data (e.g., a marker table) may be stored in a separate memory (not illustrated), separate from memory  105  (e.g., a memory within first electronic component  101  or a memory accessible via network  107 ). 
         [0032]    In some embodiments, the data created by the backup functions is substantially sufficient to characterize a complete system state of electronic component  101 , including installed programs, operating programs, data used by installed and/or operating programs, memory (including RAM and disk) contents, machine state in a finite state machine sense, network and infrastructure configurations (e.g., identities of components accessible by the system), security information and permissions (e.g., identities of trusted entities and an associated level of trust), data objects including the data itself, and so forth. The complete system state may also be referred to as a personality of electronic component  101 . In some embodiments, the data created by the backup functions also may include additional electronic components (not illustrated) coupled to electronic component  101  through a communication network  107  such as an intranet or the Internet. 
         [0033]      FIG. 1B  illustrates removable portion  103  removed from first electronic component  101 , in preparation for movement to second electronic component  111 . In some embodiments, removal of removable portion  103  from electronic component  101  may generate a command or signal that causes from electronic component  101  to transition into a different operating state, which may be referred to as a paralyzed operating state. For example, core functions may continue operating (e.g., similar to breathing and heartbeat in a medical context), but non-core functions may be restricted or inhibited (e.g., similar to loss of limb motion in a medical context). In some embodiments, the different operating state may have reduced capabilities, e.g., lock a user out of invoking additional functions, inhibit instantiation of additional virtual machines (VM), inhibit usage of or access to additional resources, and so forth. For example, additional resources may include computing resources or CPU utilization percentage, memory usage, communication resources, usage of external resources, and so forth. In some embodiments, the different operating state may be restricted to running what was already running in first electronic component  101 , prior to removal of removable portion  103 . In some embodiments, if removable portion  103  is shut down with removable portion  103  removed, restart of first electronic component  101  may be inhibited. Inhibited restart or operation of first electronic component  101  may be accomplished by a hardware security module. In some embodiments, the hardware security module may be implemented as part of processor  106 . 
         [0034]    To facilitate detection of a removal of removable portion  103  from electronic component  101 , some embodiments actively may exchange a signal between removable portion  103  and electronic component  101 . The exchanged signal may be a periodic signal such as a heartbeat signal or an AC voltage, or a stead-state signal such as a DC voltage, or a signal used by a proximity sensor (e.g., optical, infrared, ultrasonic, etc.), or an RFID tag, etc. A loss of ability to detect the signal may be interpreted as an indication that removable portion  103  has been removed from electronic component  101 . In other embodiments, a detectable condition may be used passively to detect whether removable portion  103  has been removed from electronic component  101 , e.g., by magnetic effects, pressure, weight, presence or absence of a resistance or open circuit, exposure to air as indicated by an oxygen or nitrogen sensor, etc. 
         [0035]    It should be noted that bit markers stored in memory  105  by themselves are insufficient to completely recreate the original data. Access to a bit marker table also is required to completely recreate the original data. The bit marker table may be stored in a separate memory, e.g., a memory in first electronic component  101  or in a memory accessible through a communication network  107 . In contrast, data stored in a memory managed by conventional electronic components or operating systems (e.g., in a USB flash drive) is stored using a paradigm of blocks and a file table to associate blocks (or other physical or logical portions of the memory such as sectors) with files. Therefore, recovery of data from conventional memory storage is possible, and complete files may be recovered even without access to a file table by combining or rearranging recovered blocks (e.g., by trial and error combination of blocks). Therefore, embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure provide improved data security if custody of removable portion  103  is compromised while it is removed from first electronic component  101 , since the data cannot be recreated from removable portion  103  alone. 
         [0036]    In some embodiments, data stored in memory  105  may be encrypted in order to provide additional data security if the physical security of removable portion  103  is compromised. In some embodiments, processor  106  may be used to support encryption/decryption functions, or additional data security processes. 
         [0037]    In some embodiments, a data connection between removable portion  103  and first electronic component  101  may be provided as a high-speed data link, e.g., a dual in-line memory module (DIMM) slot on a motherboard of first electronic component  101 , the DIMM slot providing a Peripheral Component Interconnect Express (PCIe) interface. The speed of PCIe 4.0 in a 16-lane DIMM slot is up to 31.508 GBytes/sec. A fast communication link facilitates usage of memory  105  for system backups. Slower data links such as universal serial bus (USB) are not preferable, due to the combination of amount of data to transfer and time constraints in transferring the data. For example, USB 2.0 is limited to 60 megabytes per second (MBps), and USB 3.0 is limited to 640 MBps. Achievable transfer speeds also depend upon the read/write capability of the external device connected to the USB port. For example, an upper limit to write speeds of USB flash drives typically is 30 MBps or less. When an amount of RAM in a computer system can exceed 8 GB, and disk drives can be several terabytes (TB) in capacity, it would take an unacceptably long time to save the system state to a slow memory, or through a slow memory interface, as described in this paragraph. 
         [0038]      FIG. 1C  illustrates removable portion  103  coupled to second electronic component  111 . After coupling, second electronic component  111  may then take on a complete operating system state stored in memory  105 . For example, if a complete operating system state of first electronic component  101  has been stored in memory  105 , then the complete operating system state of first electronic component  101  may be restored on second electronic component  111 . If memory  105  includes a plurality of backups (e.g., separate electronic components, or a single electronic component at different times), an operating system of second electronic component  111  may have an ability to select which backup to restore on second electronic component  111 . 
         [0039]    In one usage scenario, first electronic component  101  may be a data collection system, collecting data in an unattended manner from sensors. Service personnel may access first electronic component  101  at certain times (e.g., once per day, once per week, or on an irregular schedule, etc.). The data from first electronic component  101  may be transferred en masse by removing removable portion  103  from first electronic component  101  and attaching it to second electronic component  111 . A second removable portion  103  may be available on hand to replace the first removable portion  103  so that first electronic component  101  can be returned to service quickly. Removable portion  103  may be configured to store data using bit marker technology, thereby increasing data security during transfer, as compared to conventional memory such as a USB flash drive. 
         [0040]    In another usage scenario, a company may use first electronic component  101  to manage a plurality of end-user desktop computers or virtual machines. A complete system backup of all systems within a domain of the company may be stored in memory  105 . If an end-user&#39;s machine needs to be cloned (e.g., due to a hardware failure), removable portion  103  may be moved to a target machine (e.g., second electronic component  111 ), and a partial restore may be performed on second electronic component  111  (e.g., to restore only the end-user&#39;s machine). 
         [0041]    In another usage scenario in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, removable portion  103  may be used to transfer a system state from first electronic component  101  to second electronic component  111 . In such a scenario, first a system state of first electronic component  101  may be stored within removable portion  103 , e.g., by use of bit marker technology and a fast system state clone as described in application Ser. No. 15/089,837 (published as 2016/0217047), application Ser. No. 13/908,239 (now U.S. Pat. No. 9,467,294), application Ser. No. 13/756,921 (published as 2014/0223118), and application Ser. No. 13/797,093 (published as 2014/0279911), all of which are incorporated by reference in their entireties. 
         [0042]    Second, a command or the like may be sent to first electronic component  101  in order to inform first electronic component  101  that removal of removable portion  103  is imminent. First electronic component  101  may use such a command in order to inhibit any non-reversible security actions that might be taken by first electronic component  101  upon detection of an unexpected or unauthorized removal of removable portion  103 , such as data destruction or permanent lockout. The command may have an expiration time, after which it is no longer valid. A command may also be sent to second electronic component  111  in order to inform second electronic component  111  that, e.g., removable portion  103  is about to be attached to second electronic component  111 , and that upon attachment of removable portion  103  a system state should be transferred from removable portion  103  to second electronic component  111 . 
         [0043]      FIG. 2A  illustrates an exploded view of a circuit module  200  in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Circuit module  200  is not drawn to scale, and is simplified to emphasize certain aspects of the embodiment. Well-known or conventional features may be omitted for sake of clarity.  FIG. 2A  illustrates circuit module  200  exploded along an axis parallel to axis  210 . Circuit module  200  includes a circuit board  211 , upon which are mounted light sources, e.g., a central light source (e.g., LED  203 ) and a plurality of spoke light sources (e.g., LEDs  205 ). Circuit module  200  illustrates eight spoke LEDs  205 , but other embodiments may have more or fewer than eight spoke LEDs  205 . Each of spoke LEDs  205  may be located at a predetermined distance from central LED  203 , and in a predetermined pattern (e.g., in an arc pattern, a grid pattern, a linear pattern, etc.). In some embodiments, spoke LEDs  205  may all be located at a substantially equal distance from central LED  203 . In some embodiments, spoke LEDs  205  may be located along an arc, with central LED  203  located at approximately the center of the arc. In some embodiments, spoke LEDs  205  may be equally-spaced along an arc fully encircling central LED  203 , and in other embodiments spoke LEDs  205  may be equally-spaced only along an arc that does not fully encircle central LED  203 . Central LED  203  and spoke LEDs  205  are configured to emit light principally along an axis parallel to axis  210 , perpendicular to and away from circuit board  211 . In some embodiments, central LED  203  may produce more lumens of light than a single, individual spoke LED  205 . In some embodiments, central LED  203  may produce more lumens of light than spoke LEDs  205  collectively. 
         [0044]    Central light source and spoke light sources may include non-LED light sources, such as a miniature incandescent bulb, a miniature gas discharge bulb, a miniature halogen bulb, etc. 
         [0045]    Circuit module  200  may further include a processor  207 , and a memory  209  coupled to processor  207 . Memory  209  may store sets of programmed instructions that, when executed by processor  209 , carries out or performs processes and methods in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. Circuit board  211  includes electrical connections (not illustrated) to interconnect electrically processor  207 , memory  209 , central LED  203  and/or spoke LEDs  205 . Circuit module  200  may further include a light diffuser  201  mounted over a light-emitting surface of at least spoke LEDs  205 . Light diffuser  201  is illustrated as having a cylindrical shape, but other shapes may be used such as a hyperboloid shape, a conical shape, etc. 
         [0046]      FIG. 2B  illustrates a top plan view of an assembled circuit module  200 . Light diffuser  201  is mounted on circuit module  200  such that a solid portion of light diffuser  201  is directly above spoke LEDs  205 , and central LED  203  is within or under a central portion of light diffuser  201 . Spoke LEDs  205  may be arranged to be substantially mutually coplanar and coplanar with central LED  203 . Placement of other elements of circuit module  200  on circuit board  201  are up to a designer&#39;s discretion. Light diffuser  201  is constructed from a material that is light-transmissive, e.g., transparent, translucent, or a combination of both. For example, light diffuser  201  may be constructed from a plastic or plastic-type material that is substantially transparent at visible wavelengths along a length (i.e., the height along axis  210 ) of light diffuser  201 . Light diffuser  201  may include design elements that scatter light from spoke LEDs  205 , e.g., a surface roughness over at least a portion of light diffuser  201  that allows light to escape due to a local angle of air-surface interface in accordance with Snell&#39;s law, or reflective particles embedded or infused within the material of light diffuser  201 , etc. Light diffuser  201  diffuses light at least from spoke LEDs  205 , and allows the light from spoke LEDs  205  to be visible over a relatively greater range of solid angles with respect to axis  210  (i.e., off-axis directions), and have improved visibility of the spoke LED  205  light at such off-axis directions, compared to the visibility of spoke LEDs  205  without diffuser  201 . In some embodiments, diffuser  201  also may improve visibility of light from central LED  203  over a greater solid angle. 
         [0047]    Light diffuser  201  is illustrated as being hollow, but in other embodiments may be at least partially filled with a material that is transparent, translucent, or a combination of both. The material over central LED  203  may be the same or different than the material over spoke LEDs  205 , and may include design elements that scatter light from central LED  203  (e.g., surface roughness or embedded reflective particles, etc.). A different material may cause light from central LED  203  to be stovepiped out of light diffuser  201  due to differences in indices of refraction, i.e., similar to guided-wave light transmission. In some embodiments, a lens may be placed over central LED  203  in order to spread out light from central LED  203  and further improve diffusion of light. 
         [0048]    Circuit module  200  is operated in order to indicate an equipment status, e.g., a status of circuit module  200  itself while processor  207  performs additional functions, or a status of an electronic component, module, etc. communicatively coupled to circuit module  200 . For example, processor  207  may be programmed to perform a separate function (e.g., compressing data, verifying data integrity, etc.), and central LED  203  and/or spoke LEDs may be configured to change state based upon the separate function being performed by processor  207 . In another example, circuit module  200  may receive status indications from an electronic component external to circuit module  200 , and central LED  203  and/or spoke LEDs may be configured to change state based upon the received status indications. 
         [0049]      FIG. 3  illustrates a functional block diagram of system  300 , comprising first electronic component  301  and removable portion  351 . First electronic component  301  may contain sensitive data that is to be protected from unauthorized access or disclosure. For example, the data may have been obtained by gathering the data (e.g., from sensors, data feeds, user input, etc.), or calculating the data, or storing the data (e.g., a database of sensitive information), or so forth. Protection of sensitive data within first electronic component  301  may be provided by a symbiotic interaction with removable portion  351 . 
         [0050]    First electronic component  301  includes a processor  303  coupled to a memory  304 . Memory  304  may include a combination of volatile memory (e.g., RAM) and nonvolatile memory (e.g., a disk drive). Processor  303  is further coupled through communication bus  312  to transceiver  307 . Transceiver  307  is coupled through communication link  309  to removable portion  351 . 
         [0051]    First electronic component  301  further includes a hardware security module  311  coupled via link  313  to a corresponding hardware security module  362  in removable portion  351 . Hardware security module  311  supports detection of whether removable portion  351  had been removed from first electronic component  301 . Some embodiments may implement portions of hardware security module  311  as part of an appropriately-programmed processor  303 . Link  313  may represent a link usable for active sensing (e.g., a communication link), or may represent a coupling whose presence or lack of presence may be usable for passive sensing (e.g., weight scale, Hall effect magnetic sensing, light for a photosensor, atmospheric gas detector, etc.). 
         [0052]    Removable portion  351  includes a transceiver  352  externally coupled to communication link  307  and internally coupled to communication bus  362 . Communication bus  362  interconnects transceiver  352 , processor  353 , multimodal indicator  356  and spatial sensor  360 . Processor  353  is further coupled to a memory  354 . Memory  354  may include a combination of volatile memory (e.g., RAM) and nonvolatile memory (e.g., a disk drive). Processor  353  is programmable to execute various serial and/or concurrent processes, including a process to provide a timer. An energy source  358  (e.g., a battery or supercaps) may provide power to removable portion  351  when removable portion  351  is detached. 
         [0053]    Removable portion  351  further may include hardware security module  362 , which cooperates over link  313  with hardware security module  311  in first electronic component  301 , to detect when removable portion  351  is disconnected from first electronic component  301 . For example, hardware security module  362  may produce an active signal, transmitted via link  313 , whose presence is detected by hardware security module  311 . 
         [0054]    Spatial sensor  360  may be operable to sense or to measure a position or an orientation. A position can be with respect to an invariate reference, e.g., distance and direction from a reference point such as a beacon, or coordinates such as latitude, longitude and altitude. A position can also be with respect to a relative reference, e.g., being within a predetermined distance of first electronic component  301 . An orientation can be with respect to rotation around one or more of the X-axis, Y-axis or Z-axis as illustrated in  FIGS. 2A-2B . Orientation may be measured by a 3-axis accelerometer that measure the direction of the force of gravity exerted on removable portion  351 . 
         [0055]    In one embodiment, removable portion  351  may be implemented as second electronic component  211  depicted in  FIGS. 2A-2B . In this embodiment, processor  353  corresponds to processor  207 , memory  354  corresponds to memory  209 , and multimodal indicator  356  corresponds to the combination of light diffuser  201 , central LED  203  and spoke LEDs  205 . 
         [0056]      FIG. 4  illustrates a method  400  to transfer personality and data via physical movement of a fast memory transfer device (e.g., removable portion  103 ) from a first device (e.g., first electronic component  101  or  301 ) to a second device (e.g., second electronic component  111 ). Method  400  begins at step  401  at which a fast system state backup of first electronic component  101  is performed and the results stored into removable portion  103 . 
         [0057]    Next, control of method  400  proceeds to step  403  at which a communication (e.g., a message) is sent to first electronic component  101  to inform it that an authorized removal of removable portion  103  is about to occur. The message may originate from an external system controller, a human operator console, or the like (not illustrated). This message will be a cue to first electronic component  101  to prevent actions that may be performed due to an unanticipated or unauthorized removal of removable component  103 . 
         [0058]    Optionally, a message also may be sent to second electronic component  111  to inform it to expect attachment of removable component  103 . Such a message may cause second electronic component  111  to prepare for a change of state (e.g., terminate processes, save data, etc.). 
         [0059]    Next, control of method  400  proceeds to step  405  at which removable component  103  is removed from first electronic component  101  and is attached to second electronic component  111 . Second electronic component  111  will detect the attachment of removable component  103  and initiate transfer of personality and data from removable component  103  to second electronic component  111 . Alternatively, removable component  103  may detect attachment of itself to second electronic component  111 , and issue a command to second electronic component  111  to initiate transfer of personality and data from removable component  103  to second electronic component  111 . 
         [0060]    Next, control of method  400  proceeds to step  407  at which a system restore (e.g., personality and data) is performed from removable component  103  to second electronic component  111 . 
         [0061]    Embodiments of the present disclosure include a system having one or more processing units coupled to one or more memories. The one or more memories may be configured to store software that, when executed by the one or more processing unit, allows practice of embodiments described herein, at least by use of processes described herein, including at least in  FIG. 2  and related text. 
         [0062]    The disclosed methods may be readily implemented in software, such as by using object or object-oriented software development environments that provide portable source code that can be used on a variety of computer or workstation platforms. Alternatively, the disclosed system may be implemented partially or fully in hardware, such as by using standard logic circuits or VLSI design. Whether software or hardware may be used to implement the systems in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure may be dependent on various considerations, such as the speed or efficiency requirements of the system, the particular function, and the particular software or hardware systems being utilized. 
         [0063]    While the foregoing is directed to embodiments of the present disclosure, other and further embodiments of the present disclosure may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof. It is understood that various embodiments described herein may be utilized in combination with any other embodiment described, without departing from the scope contained herein. Further, the foregoing description is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to the precise form disclosed. Modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings or may be acquired from practice of the disclosure. Certain exemplary embodiments may be identified by use of an open-ended list that includes wording to indicate that the list items are representative of the embodiments and that the list is not intended to represent a closed list exclusive of further embodiments. Such wording may include “e.g.,” “etc.,” “such as,” “for example,” “and so forth,” “and the like,” etc., and other wording as will be apparent from the surrounding context. 
         [0064]    No element, act, or instruction used in the description of the present application should be construed as critical or essential to the disclosure unless explicitly described as such. Also, as used herein, the article “a” is intended to include one or more items. Where only one item is intended, the term “one” or similar language is used. Further, the terms “any of” followed by a listing of a plurality of items and/or a plurality of categories of items, as used herein, are intended to include “any of,” “any combination of,” “any multiple of,” and/or “any combination of multiples of” the items and/or the categories of items, individually or in conjunction with other items and/or other categories of items. 
         [0065]    Moreover, the claims should not be read as limited to the described order or elements unless stated to that effect. In addition, use of the term “means” in any claim is intended to invoke 35 U.S.C. §112(f), and any claim without the word “means” is not so intended.