ITMI20082192A1 - SYSTEM TO SAVE IN A PERIPHERAL UNIT OF A COMPUTER DATA CONTAINED IN THE COMPUTER ITSELF AND TO TRANSFER YOU WHEN THE DEVICE IS CONNECTED TO ANOTHER COMPUTER - Google Patents

Description

Description of the invention entitled:

"SYSTEM TO SAVE DATA CONTAINED IN THE COMPUTER ITSELF IN A PERIPHERAL UNIT OF A COMPUTER AND TO TRANSFER IT WHEN THE PERIPHERAL UNIT IS CONNECTED TO ANOTHER COMPUTER."

DESCRIPTION

The present invention refers to a system for saving data contained in the computer itself in a peripheral unit of a computer (preferably in the keyboard or mouse) and for transferring them to another computer (or for reloading them in the same computer in the event of a "disaster ”, That is, if the computer has completely failed) when the peripheral unit is connected to that other computer.

Replacing one computer with another is usually a time-consuming and expensive operation as it requires the transfer from one computer to another of many types of information such as, for example, data, settings, e-mail (messages received and sent, contacts directory, etc.), the network configuration, the drivers of the peripherals connected (or connectable) to the central unit, the list of favorite internet sites, and so on.

In this description, the term "data" will be used to globally indicate the set of information to be transferred from one computer to another.

The aforementioned replacement becomes much more expensive if the computer to be replaced is damaged and therefore it is not possible to access the data to be transferred.

Many expedients are known in the art to obviate the aforementioned drawbacks, saving the data to be transferred to another computer.

- on the central server or on "back-up" memories external to the computer: this solution allows to avoid the loss of data in the event of a "disaster" but, normally, it requires the intervention of a technician to upload the data (in particular , settings) on another computer and does not allow the user to resume working (almost) immediately on that computer;

- on small memories external to the computer (also called "keys") which, in addition to requiring the intervention of a technician for the transfer of data (in particular, of the settings) and not allowing an (almost) immediate resumption of work, have numerous drawbacks, including by way of example, the fact that, if the "keys" are always connected to the computer to be able to save data (almost) continuously, they can be accidentally damaged (by the user's legs or by a chair, etc.). Furthermore, the "keys" are removable and can therefore be lost, with consequent loss of company data (even "sensitive") stored on the "keys" and with the risk that an unauthorized third party may access such company data.

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a simple, cheap and fast system to save data contained in a computer in a peripheral unit and to transfer them to another computer that is free from the drawbacks and risks inherent in known rescue systems.

This object has been achieved by means of the rescue system object of independent claim 1.

Further advantageous characteristics of this apparatus form the subject of the dependent claims.

In the data saving system object of the present invention a peripheral unit (preferably the keyboard or the mouse) connected to the computer comprises at least a first memory suitable for storing the data to be saved and a second memory suitable for storing instructions for transferring to a second computer (hereinafter: “the destination computer”) the data stored in the first memory and to manage the transfer of data from the destination computer to the peripheral unit.

Without leaving the scope of the finding, the destination computer can coincide with the computer that originated the saved data if you want to restore the data on that computer after repairing it.

Advantageously, the peripheral unit also includes a logic unit designed to manage at least the transfer of data to the first memory and the transfer of the contents of the second memory of the peripheral unit to the target computer is managed by the central unit of the target computer.

Without departing from the scope of the invention, the first and second memory can be made, in a known way, on a single memory unit.

The invention will now be described with reference to an exemplary but non-limiting embodiment, described in the attached figures, where:

Figure 1 schematically shows a simplified block diagram of a computer adapted to implement the system according to the present invention;

- Figures 2-5 schematically show four flow diagrams designed to illustrate the operation of the central unit of a computer while saving data on the keyboard and restoring them to the target computer.

In the attached figures, the corresponding elements will be identified with the same numerical references.

In the example of embodiment described here, the peripheral unit consists of a keyboard but, without departing from the scope of the invention, it can consist of a mouse or other peripheral unit known in itself.

Figure 1 schematically shows a simplified block diagram of a computer 2 suitable for implementing the system according to the present invention; in figure 1 only the circuit elements of the computer 2 necessary to implement this system have been indicated.

The computer 2 includes at least a base unit 4 and a keyboard 3; in figure 1 the base unit 4 comprises a central unit 5 and a fixed disk 10 while the keyboard 3 comprises (in addition to the keyboard block T) a memory 7 suitable for storing the data to be saved, a logic unit 8 suitable for managing at least the transfer of the data to the memory 7 and vice versa and a further memory 9, suitable for storing instructions for transferring the data stored in the memory 7 to the hard disk of the base unit of the target computer and for managing the transfer of data from the destination to memory 7; the transfer of the contents of the additional memory 9 to the target computer is managed by the central unit of the target computer.

The central unit 5, the hard disk 10, the keyboard block T, the memories 7 and 9 and the logic unit 8 (preferably of the type known as "hub") will not be described here because of a commercial type (and in any case known to a person skilled in the art) and operating according to procedures which (except those which will be described with reference to Figures 2-5) are known to a person skilled in the art.

Figure 2 schematically shows a flow chart to illustrate that, when the keyboard 3 is connected for the first time to the central unit 5 of the computer 2, the central unit 5 neatly performs at least the following functional steps:

- recognize (START, phase 1 1) the second memory 9 of the keyboard 3 as a peripheral containing an "auto-run" type program, start its execution and manage the transfer of this program to the hard disk 10 of the computer 2;

- check (CL, phase 12) that computer 2 is enabled to save the data; otherwise return to rest (STOP, phase 100);

- present to the user (PIP, phase 13) an on-screen interface that allows you to view, activate and change the program settings;

- save the program settings (YES, phase 14) and check the presence of the keyboard 3 (VPT, phase 23; figure 3).

The program settings that can be activated or modified on the screen can be, by way of non-limiting example:

- select the folders, file types and / or files to be saved and excluded from saving;

- enter the desired interval between two consecutive data backups and set a first timer Tl;

- enter the time at which you want the data to be saved and set a second T2 timer;

- enter the desired interval between two consecutive checks for the presence of the keyboard 3 (VPT, phase 23; Figure 3) and set a third timer T3;

- establish whether, at the end of the saving, the system should shut down;

- choose the options for any compaction of the files to be saved; - manage (set or change) any password to allow the transfer of the contents of the additional memory 9 to the destination computer.

Figure 3 schematically shows a flow chart designed to illustrate the operation of the central unit 5 of computer 2 when the keyboard 3 has already been connected to computer 2.

The central unit 5 checks (VPT, phase 23) the presence of the keypad 3, sends the user (AW UT, phase 25) a warning message if the keypad 3 is not present (or not working) and remains in waiting (AE, phase 300) for one of the following events:

- the user asks to access a Menu (MENU, phase 304): it is an interactive phase that allows the user to choose from a plurality of options;

- a time control is activated (CT, phase 305), performed automatically by the program.

By way of non-limiting example, the options that can be selected from the menu (MENU; step 304) are:

- Back-Up: if the user wants to perform an immediate back-up, the logic unit 5 carries out (phase 301) the saving routine (which will be described with reference to figure 5) and, if it verifies (SC ?, phase 302) who has to turn off the computer, turns it off (SC, step 303), otherwise it goes back to waiting for an event (AE, step 300);

- Settings: logic unit 5 displays the current settings, acquires any changes made by the user (PIP, YES; phases 13 and 14; Figure 2) and awaits an event (AE, phase 300);

- Restore: if the user wants to restore the data contained in memory 9 to the target computer, the logical unit 5 executes the restore routine (which will be described with reference to Figure 4) and waits for an event (AE, step 300); - Exit: if the user wants to exit the menu, the logic unit 5 deletes the menu from the screen and returns to waiting for an event (AE, phase 300);

while controlling timers can relate

- the frequency of the saving (T1 = F): when the timer TI indicates that the predetermined time interval (preferably 90 minutes) has elapsed (PIP, phase 13) to repeat the saving, the logic unit 5 resets the timer Tl , executes the save routine (step 301) and, if it verifies that it must turn off the computer (SC?, step 302), turns it off (SC, step 303), otherwise it returns to awaiting an event (AE, step 300);

- the saving time (72 = 0): when the timer T2 reaches the preset time (PIP, phase 13) for saving, the logic unit 5 executes the saving routine (phase 301) and returns to waiting for an event (AE, phase 300);

- the keyboard control (T3 = K): when the timer T3 verifies that the set time interval (preferably 5 minutes) has elapsed (PIP, phase 13) to check again (VPT, phase 23) if the keyboard is present, the logic unit 5 resets the timer T3 and carries out this check: if the check is positive, it waits for an event (AE, phase 300); otherwise it warns the user (AW UT, phase 25) and checks again (VPT, phase 23) if the keyboard is present.

Figure 4 schematically shows a flow chart designed to illustrate the operation of the central unit 5 of the computer 2 while saving data in the memory 7 of the keyboard 3.

If a backup is required (step 301, figure 3), the central unit 5 manages the transfer of data from the hard disk 10 to the memory 7 of the keyboard 3 by performing at least the following functional steps in an orderly fashion:

- acquire the program settings and initialize the global variables (INIZ, phase 22);

- start reading the data files in the folders and subfolders (LF, phase 26); - check if the file read is a file to be excluded (FE ?, step 261);

- if the read file is a file to be excluded, check if it was the last file to read (LAST ?, step 29); otherwise check if it is a new or modified file (FM ?, step 27);

- if it is a new or modified file, compress it, dictate it, send it to keyboard 3 and command the logic unit 8 of keyboard 3 to save this file on memory 7 of keyboard 3 (CCF, phase 28); otherwise check if it is the last file to read (LAST ?, step 29);

- if it is not the last file to read, read a new file (LF, step 26); otherwise, command (YES, step 30) to the logic unit 8 of keyboard 3 to save all the computer and user settings in memory 7 of keyboard 3 and check (SC ?, step 302; figure 3) that the computer must turn off .

Figure 5 schematically shows a flow chart designed to illustrate the operation of the central unit of the target computer during the transfer of the contents of the first memory 7 of the keyboard 3 to the hard disk of the target computer.

The central unit of the target computer neatly performs at least the following functional steps:

- recognize (R1, step 31) in the second memory 9 of the keyboard 3 the instructions for transferring to the hard disk of the target computer the data stored in the first memory 7 of the keyboard 3 and begin to execute these instructions (the central unit of the destination recognizes the second memory 9 of the keyboard 3 as a peripheral containing an “auto-run” type program and starts its execution);

- acquiring (AD, step 32) the data saved in the first memory 7 of the keyboard 3; load them (CD, step 33) on the target computer and restore the settings of that computer (RI, step 34);

- check (PSP ?; phase 39) that the saving routine (figure 4) is already loaded in the destination computer and return to await an event (AE, phase 300; figure 3); otherwise check (ABK ?; step 37) if the user wants to load the save routine on the target computer (Figure 4);

- if the user wants to load (ABK ?, step 37) the save routine on the target computer, load it on the target computer (ABK, step 38), activate the service and return to await an event (step 300; figure 3); otherwise return to rest (STOP, phase 100).

Advantageously, after starting to execute the instructions recognized in the second memory 9 of the keyboard 3, the central unit of the destination computer asks the user (RP, step 35) for a "password" and verifies (POK ?, step 36) that the " password "is correct before acquiring (AD, step 32) the data saved in the first memory 7; otherwise it asks the user for the "password" again (RP, step 35).

Steps 35 and 36, enclosed in figure 5 in a box with dashed lines, can be omitted without departing from the scope of the invention.

The rescue system object of the present invention has further advantages including, by way of non-limiting example:

- constitutes one of the computer services that is started when turned on automatically and not by the user;

- if the computer is infected with some computer virus, this virus cannot access the keyboard and infect the management and recovery programs contained in the second memory 9 of the keyboard 3: the virus cannot therefore be transmitted to the target computer;

- it is possible to choose among the modified files those to be saved during the file reading phase (LF, phase 26);

- during recovery, the transfer of one or more files to the hard disk of the destination computer can be subject to the typing of one or more "passwords";

- it may include means ("tools") for highlighting and reporting any errors that may have occurred while saving the data.

Without departing from the scope of the invention, the rescue system can be advantageously used, in the event of a "disaster", to reload the data into the computer from which they were previously saved, after restoring the functionality of the computer itself.

Still without departing from the scope of the invention, it is possible for a technician to make all the changes suggested by normal experience and / or the natural evolution of the technique to the system described above.

Claims (10)

CLAIMS 1. System for saving data in a computer (2) comprising at least a central unit (5), a hard disk (10) and a peripheral unit (3), characterized in that the peripheral unit (3) comprises at least a first memory (7) suitable for storing the data to be saved and a second memory (9), suitable for storing instructions for transferring the data stored in the first memory (7) to a destination computer and for managing the transfer of data from the target computer to the peripheral unit (3). 2. System as in claim 1, characterized by the fact that the peripheral unit (3) further comprises a logic unit (8) adapted to manage at least the transfer of data from the computer (2) to the first memory (7) and by the fact that the transfer of the contents of the second memory (9) of the peripheral unit (3) to the target computer is managed by the central unit of the target computer. System according to claim 1, characterized in that, when the peripheral unit (3) is connected for the first time to the computer (2), the central unit (5) of the computer (2) performs at least the following steps in an orderly manner functional: - recognize (START, phase 11) the second memory (9) of the peripheral unit (3) as a peripheral containing an "auto-run" type program, start its execution and manage the transfer of this program to the hard disk ( 10) of the computer (2); - check (CL, phase 12) that the computer (2) is enabled to save the data; otherwise return to rest (STOP, phase 100); - present to the user (PIP, phase 13) an on-screen interface designed to allow you to view, activate and change the program settings; - save the program settings (YES, phase 14) and check (VPT, phase 23) the presence of the keyboard (3); 4. System in claim 1, characterized by the fact that, when the peripheral unit (3) has already been connected to the computer (2), the central unit (5) of the computer (2) neatly performs at least the following functional steps: - check (VPT, phase 23) the presence of the keyboard (3); - if the keyboard (3) is not present, send the user (AVV UT, phase 25) a warning message and wait for an event (AE, phase 300); otherwise remain waiting for an event (AE, phase 300). 5. System according to claim 4, characterized in that the central unit (5), when waiting for an event (AE, phase 300), waits for the user to ask to access a Menu (MENU, phase 304) to select an option or to activate a time control (CT, step 305). 6. System according to claim 5, characterized in that the options that can be selected from the menu (MENU, step 304) are: - Back-Up: execute (step 301) a save routine and check (SC ?, step 302) that you need to turn off the computer before turning it off (SC, step 303), otherwise return to await an event (AE, step 300 ); - Settings: view the current settings, acquire any changes made by the user (PIP, YES; phases 13 and 14) and return to await an event (AE, phase 300); - Restore: execute a restore routine and return to await an event (AE, phase 300); - Exit: delete the menu from the screen and return to await an event (AE, phase 300); and by the fact that a time control (CT, phase 305) is activated when: - a first timer (Tl) detects that the preset time interval (PIP, phase 13) has elapsed to repeat the saving: the logic unit (5) resets the first timer (Tl), executes the saving routine (phase 301) and, having verified that it must turn off the computer (SC ?, step 302), turns it off (SC, step 303); otherwise it returns waiting for an event (AE, phase 300); - a second timer (T2) detects that the preset time has come (PIP, phase 13) for saving; the logic unit (5) performs the save routine (phase 301) and toma awaits an event (AE, phase 300); - a third timer (T3) detects that the predetermined time interval has elapsed (PIP, phase 13) to check again (VPT, phase 23) if the peripheral unit (3) is present: the logical unit (5) resets the third timer (T3) and carries out said check and, if the peripheral unit (3) is present, returns to awaiting an event (AE, step 300); otherwise it warns the user (AW UT, phase 25) and checks again (VPT, phase 23) if the peripheral unit (3) is present. 7. System according to claim 6, characterized in that the predetermined time interval (PIP, phase 13) for repeating the saving is about 90 minutes and that the predetermined time interval (PIP, phase 13) to check again ( VPT; step 23) if the peripheral unit (3) is present is about 5 minutes. 8. System in claim 6, characterized by the fact that the logic unit (5) performs the saving routine (step 301) by performing at least the following functional steps in an orderly fashion: - acquire the program settings and initialize the global variables (INIZ, phase 22); - start reading the data files in the folders and subfolders (LF, phase 26); - check if the file read is a file to be excluded (FE ?, step 261); - if the file read is a file to be excluded, check if it is the last file to be read (LAST ?; step 29); otherwise check if it is a new or modified file (FM ?; step 27); - if it is a new or modified file, compress it, encrypt it, send it to the peripheral unit (3) and command the logical unit (8) of the peripheral unit (3) to save this file (CCF, phase 28) on the memory ( 7) of the peripheral unit (3); otherwise check if it is the last file to read (LAST ?; step 29); - if it is not the last file to read, read a new file (LF, step 26); otherwise, command (YES, step 30) the logic unit (8) of the peripheral unit (3) to save the computer (2) and user settings in the memory (7) of the peripheral unit (3) and check ( SC ?, step 302; figure 3) of having to turn off the computer (2). 9. System according to claim 6, characterized in that, during the transfer of the contents of the first memory (7) of the peripheral unit (3) to the hard disk of the target computer, the central unit of the target computer carries out the restore by neatly performing at least the following functional steps: - recognize (RI, phase 31) in the second memory (9) of the peripheral unit (3) the instructions for transferring the data stored in the first memory (7) of the peripheral unit (3) to the hard disk of the target computer and start to perform them; - acquire (AD, step 32) the data saved in the first memory (7) of the peripheral unit (3), load them (CD, step 33) on the target computer and restore the settings (RI, step 34) of that computer; - check (PSP ?, phase 39) that the save routine is already loaded on the target computer and return to await an event (AE, phase 300); otherwise check (ABK ?, step 37) if the user wants to load the save routine on the target computer; - if the user wants to load (ABK ?, step 37) the saving routine on the target computer, load it on the target computer (ABK, step 38), activate the service and return to await an event (step 300); otherwise return to rest (STOP, phase 100). 10, System according to claim 9, characterized in that, after starting to execute the instructions recognized in the second memory (9) of the peripheral unit (3), the central unit of the destination computer asks the user (RP, step 35 ) a “password” and verify (POK ?, phase 36) that the “password” is correct before acquiring (AD, phase 32) the data saved in the first memory (7) of the peripheral unit (3); otherwise it asks the user for the "password" again (RP, step 35).