Title of Invention

MEHTOD AND DEVICE FOR BACKING UP PERSONAL DATA OF A TELECOMMUNICATIONS NETWORK SUBSCRIBER, AND ASSOCIATED SERVER

Abstract The present invention relates to a method of backing up personal data of a wireless communication network subscriber, the data being memorised in a mobile communication device and backed up in a network server, in which a first subset of data is prepared from among a batch of data to be backed up and is transmitted to the server for backing up, wherein the method comprises a so-called asynchronous backup mode according to which, once a subset of data has been transmitted to the server, the backup is delayed (22) by a certain period of time so as to free the mobile communication device for the user, and the backup is resumed at the end of the time period. A server for backing up personal data of a wireless communication network subscriber is also disclosed.
Full Text The invention relates to the field of wireless
communication networks and, more specifically, to a
method of backing up a personal information, file, such
as a phone book saved in the mobile devices that use
these networks or the associated subscriber identity
module cards.
In such a network, such as a GSM network (acronym
meaning Global System for Mobile Communication),
subscribers have a SIM card (SIM is an acronym meaning
Subscriber Identity Module). This SIM card is
personalised so as to allow the subscriber to have
access to various applications and/or services. It also
contains personal information, such as files of phone
books, diaries, etc.
Operators currently allow their subscribers to
back up this personal information onto a server by

means of a telecommunications system on the network,
such as SMS (acronym meaning Short Message Service).
Most technical solutions rely on a mechanism for
synchronising data memorised in the card and/or mobile
with the data memorised in a backup database of the
server. In this mechanism, only the modified data are
transferred with a view to optimising the use of SMS
due to the cost involved.
The current mechanism has the disadvantage of
requiring all the information to be transferred during
the initial synchronisation or update, since the
network detects changes in all the data. For this
reason, the subscriber must wait a relatively long time
for the initial synchronisation operation to be
completed before he/she can use his/her mobile.
The waiting time for backing up a phone book
containing 255 telephone numbers with names associated
is estimated at 5 minutes.
The backup can be started manually at the request
of the user and still require the mobile to become
unavailable for the user for a long period of time.
One aim of this invention is to find a mechanism
for backing up subscriber data onto a
telecommunications network server which has none of the
mentioned disadvantages, the data being contained in
the card and/or in the mobile.
For this purpose, the invention relates to a
method of backing up personal data of a wireless
communication network subscriber, the data being
memorised in a mobile communication device and backed
up onto a network server, in which a first subset of
data is prepared from among a batch of data to be

backed up, and is transmitted to the server for backing
up.
It is characterised in that it comprises a so-
called asynchronous backup mode according to which,
once a subset has been transmitted to the server, the
backup is delayed by a certain period of time so as to
free the mobile for the user, and the backup is resumed
at the end of this period.
According to other characteristics of the method:
- the server or the mobile implement a countdown
of the period and transmit a resume signal to the card
at the end of the period;
the mobile implements the countdown and
transmits the resume signal following an instruction
from the card;
- the method comprises a prior step according to
which it determines whether the volume of data to be
saved or the waiting time required for making the
mobile available to the user is higher than a
predetermined threshold and, if this is the case, the
backup is performed using the asynchronous mode and, if
not, the backup is performed using a default mode.
The invention further relates to a server for
backing up personal data of a wireless communication
network subscriber, the data having been previously
memorised in a mobile communication device or an
associated card, said server being able to back up a
first subset of data from among a batch to be backed
up.
It is characterised in that it comprises a so-
called asynchronous "server" backup program that can
perform the following functions:

- receiving and saving a first subset of data and
placing it in waiting mode according to a delay
instruction,
- and, at the end of the delay instruction,
resuming the backup of subsequent data subsets.
The invention further relates to a portable
wireless communication device belonging to a subscriber
of a communication network, containing data memorised
in a backup application that can transmit a first
subset of data from among a batch of data to be backed
up to a server for backing up.
It is characterised in that the application in
the device can:
- delay by a given period of time the backup of a
subset of data that is subsequent to the first subset
so as to ensure that the user can use the device,
- and resume the backup at the end of the period.
The device according to the invention includes
all wireless communication devices (mobile) that are
portable, such as PDAs, personal assistants with a
wireless communication function, and that work with or
without a chip card, as well as a chip card.
Further characteristics and advantages of the
invention will appear from reading the following
description of specific embodiments of the invention,
said description being provided with the appended
drawings, in which:
- figure 1 is a diagram showing the method of the
invention according to a first embodiment thereof,
- figure 2 is a diagram showing the method of the
invention according to a second embodiment thereof,

- figure 3 is a diagram showing the method of the
invention according to a third embodiment thereof,
- figure 4 is a diagram showing a step of a data
backup routine that completes the invention.
In the example, a wireless communication
architecture is used for a GSM network comprising
mobiles of subscribers equipped with a SIM card 1 and a
remote server 2 that can be accessed by so-called SMS
messages. The mobiles 3 can include other communication
devices such as PDAs, personal assistants equipped with
a wireless communication interface.
The data can be saved previously in the mobile
device and/or in the card. In the example, the data are
initially in the card.
The server contains a communication interface for
receiving and sending messages with the mobiles, as
well as a database for backing up the personal data of
the subscribers.
The server also includes, in a processing unit, a
"server" backup application (exclusive to the server)
that can perform various functions which will be
developed subsequently according to the variants of the
invention.
This program implements at least one function of
receiving at least one SMS message containing a first
block of personal data and of saving this block.
According to a preferred variant, the program can
implement a delay instruction. This instruction can be
included in the server program or received in an SMS
message created by the card and/or the mobile.
The server backup program, for example, can
include a step of starting a clock and, at the end of

the requested waiting time, resuming the backup
process. To do so, it can create and send a message to
resume the backup of the subsequent blocks to the
mobile and/or the card.
On the other hand, the portable wireless
communication device is a mobile comprising a SIM card.
In the example, the chip of the card contains memorised
personal data and a card-specific backup application.
This program is able, in a known fashion, to transmit
to the server for backup at least one first subset of
data from among the batch of data to be backed up.
The data, however, can be previously saved in the
mobile device and/or in the card.
According to a variant of the invention, the card
application can also be programmed to space out the
backup of the various subsets or blocks of data over a
given period of time, so as to make sure the device can
be. used by the subscriber between two backups of blocks
of data.
The backup program of the card preferably
contains several backup modes that can be selected by
the user, in particular a normal backup mode 41 and the
asynchronous mode 4 0 according to the invention. The
modes can also be selected automatically as explained
below.
The method of the invention is described
initially in relation with figure 1 according to the
preferred mode.
At the request of the user or at regular
intervals, a known data backup process is carried out.
According to this process, the data to be backed up are
broken down into a number n of subsets or blocks and

are then sent by means of n SMS messages, each
containing at least one block, an indication of the
number of blocks to be sent and an indication of the
order of the blocks or of how to chain them together.
In the example, the card has 10 telephone numbers
and addresses to be backed up, forming 10 blocks.
Initially, the card defines 3 subsets and prepares to
send a subset containing 3 blocks, which it places in
its buffer. To do so, it requests the mobile to
transmit the contents of the buffer to the server via
an SMS message, and the mobile complies in step 10.
The server receives and saves, in step 11, the
subset in its database. By virtue of the server backup
application mentioned previously, the invention makes
it possible to delay the backup by a certain period of
time.
Meanwhile, the card stops sending the subsequent
block and leaves the mobile free, thus ensuring that
the normal functions of the mobile are available.
On the other hand, the server implements a
countdown of the delay 12 according to the program it
contains for this purpose. For this countdown, the
processing unit of the server performs one step of the
program that consists of starting a clock and, when a
given time has elapsed 13, 2 minutes for example, it
sends a resume signal to the card. In the example, the
server sends a message 14 stating that it is missing
the subsequent blocks (blocks 4-10). The server can
also implement any other equivalent means of spacing
out the backups, such as timetables, regular or random
periods, etc.

The message received by the card through the
mobile "awakens" the card, in the sense that it is
interpreted by the card's backup application as a
signal to resume the backup.
In response to this message, the card's backup
application prepares the following 3 blocks (4-6) and
sends them (step 15) via the mobile as an SMS message.
The following blocks are received and saved 16 as
above and the application starts to count down a new
delay 17 and so on.
Once the last blocks have been sent and saved 18,
the server sends an acknowledgement of receipt "OK"
message 19 and the backup ends without having
immobilised the user's mobile for any long, continuous
period of time.
A variant of this embodiment of the invention is
shown in figure 2.
After transmitting 20, 21 a subset of blocks 3-10
to the server, using an STK (SIM toolkit) command sent
by the card to the mobile, the card's backup
application "stops the backup" and sends another STK
command in which the card requests the mobile to count
down a delay and to "awaken" the card at the end of
said delay 21.
The mobile then implements 22 a clock and, after
the set time 23, sends a wake-up signal to the card 24
via an STK command. In response, the backup application
in the card prepares a second block of data (6-10) and
sends it to the mobile by means of an STK command for
it to be sent to the server.
Then, as explained above, the card requests the
mobile to wake up after X seconds (step 28), which is

effectively followed by starting another delay
countdown 29 in the mobile, and so on.
On the other hand, the server follows the
received instructions 27 to back up the various blocks
received and, when it identifies the last block, sends
an acknowledgement of receipt "OK" message (step 30).
In a third variant shown in figure 3, the "GET
STATUS" instruction that exists in certain mobiles is
diverted so as to implement the method and,
specifically, to awaken the card or, in other words, as
a signal to resume the backup.
This instruction is generally used by the mobile
when it is switched on and regularly after that so that
the mobile can check that the card is in place and that
everything is in order.
When the card receives this instruction 31, the
card's application sends an OK reply and takes the
opportunity to add an instruction 32 asking the mobile
to reissue the next "GET STATUS" instruction after a
certain delay or at a given time.
The mobile, following the instructions of the
card, starts to count down the delay 33 and transmits
the "GET STATUS" signal 34 at the end of said delay
(step 35).
The backup of the subsequent blocks of data (4-6)
will be carried out as a response to the next "GET
STATUS" instruction received, and so on until all the
blocks have been sent and an acknowledgement of receipt
message 37 is received from the server the same as
above.
In each alternative embodiment of the invention,
the card's backup application can include a routine

that calculates the discounted backup time 38 according
to the volume of data to be backed up in normal mode.
The card application can also include a test step
39, which enables automatic switching between backup
modes. If the waiting time is higher than a
predetermined threshold, for example 1 minute, the
backup is performed in asynchronous mode 40 according
to the invention. If the waiting time is lower than the
threshold, the backup is performed according to the
normal mode 41 by default. The test can also apply to a
volume of data that corresponds to the waiting time,
and the threshold can be expressed as a volume of data.
The application can also allow the user to choose
one of the two modes by displaying a message on the
screen, and obtaining validation for one mode or the
other.
With each request for agreement, the message can
be sent together with an indication of the estimated
time for the backup according to each mode.

We Claim :
1. Method of backing up personal data of a
wireless communication network subscriber, the data
being memorised in a mobile communication device and
backed up in a network server, in which a first subset
of data is prepared from among a batch of data to be
backed up and is transmitted to the server for backing
up,
characterised in that the method comprises a so-
called asynchronous backup mode 40 according to which,
once a subset of data has been transmitted to the
server, the backup is delayed (12, 22, 33) by a certain
period of time so as to free the mobile communication
device for the user, and the backup is resumed at the
end of the time period.
2. Method as claimed in claim 1, wherein, in
order to resume the backup, the server implements a
countdown of the time period (12) and, a SIM type card
equipping the mobile communication device, the server
sends a resume signal (14) to the card at the end of
said period.
3. Method as claimed in claim 1, wherein, in
order to resume the backup, the mobile communication
device implements a countdown of the time period (22,
33) and, a SIM type card equipping the mobile

communication device, the server sends a resume signal
(24, 35) to the card at the end of said time period.
4. Method as claimed in claim 3, wherein the
mobile communication device implements the countdown
and sends the resume signal upon receiving the
instruction from the card.
5. Method as claimed in claim 4, wherein the card
gives instructions to the mobile communication device
by means of STK commands.
6. Method as claimed in claim 4, wherein the card
gives instructions by means of "GET STATUS" commands.
7. Method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
method comprises a prior assessment step (38) in which
the mobile communication device determines whether the
volume of data to be backed up or the corresponding
waiting time required to make the mobile communication
device available to the user is higher than a
predetermined threshold,
- if so, the backup is performed according to the
asynchronous backup mode 40,
- and if not, the backup is carried out according
to a default mode 41.

8. A server for backing up personal data of a
wireless communication network subscriber, the data
having been previously memorised in a mobile
communication device, said server being able to back up
a first subset of data from among a batch of data to be
backed up,
characterised in that the server comprises a so-
called asynchronous "server" backup program that can
implement the following functions:
receiving and saving a subset of data and
entering waiting mode according to a delay instruction,
and, at the end of the delay instruction,
resuming the backup of the subsequent subsets of data.
9. A portable wireless communication device
belonging to a communication network subscriber,
comprising memorised data and a "device" backup
application that can transmit a first subset of data
from among a batch of data to be backed up to the
server for backing up,
characterised in that the "device" application is
able, according to an asynchronous backup mode 40, to:
- delay by a given period of time the backup of a
subset of data that is subsequent to the first subset,
so as to ensure that the user can use the device,
- and resume the backup at the end of the time
period.

10. Portable device as claimed in claim 9,
wherein the device application comprises an
asynchronous backup mode 40 and a normal mode 41.


ABSTRACT

METHOD AND DEVICE FOR BACKING UP PERSONAL DATA OF A
TELECOMMUNICATIONS NETWORK SUBSCRIBER, AND ASSOCIATED SERVER.
The present invention relates to a method of backing up personal data
of a wireless communication network subscriber, the data being
memorised in a mobile communication device and backed up in a network
server, in which a first subset of data is prepared from among a
batch of data to be backed up and is transmitted to the server for
backing up, wherein the method comprises a so-called asynchronous
backup mode according to which, once a subset of data has been
transmitted to the server, the backup is delayed (22) by a certain
period of time so as to free the mobile communication device for the
user, and the backup is resumed at the end of the time period.
A server for backing up personal data of a wireless communication
network subscriber is also disclosed.

Documents:

01678-kolnp-2006-abstract.pdf

01678-kolnp-2006-claims.pdf

01678-kolnp-2006-correspondence others.pdf

01678-kolnp-2006-correspondence-1.1.pdf

01678-kolnp-2006-description complete.pdf

01678-kolnp-2006-drawings.pdf

01678-kolnp-2006-form 1.pdf

01678-kolnp-2006-form 3.pdf

01678-kolnp-2006-form 5.pdf

01678-kolnp-2006-form-18.pdf

01678-kolnp-2006-internaional search authority report.pdf

01678-kolnp-2006-international publication.pdf

01678-kolnp-2006-priority document.pdf

1636-KOLNP-2011-CORRESPONDENCE-1.3.pdf

1678-KOLNP-2006-ABSTRACT 1.1.pdf

1678-KOLNP-2006-AMANDED CLAIMS.pdf

1678-KOLNP-2006-AMANDED PAGES OF SPECIFICATION.pdf

1678-KOLNP-2006-ASSIGNMENT 1.1.pdf

1678-KOLNP-2006-ASSIGNMENT.pdf

1678-KOLNP-2006-CORRESPONDENCE 1.1.pdf

1678-KOLNP-2006-CORRESPONDENCE 1.2.pdf

1678-KOLNP-2006-CORRESPONDENCE 1.4.pdf

1678-KOLNP-2006-CORRESPONDENCE 1.6.pdf

1678-KOLNP-2006-CORRESPONDENCE-1.5.pdf

1678-KOLNP-2006-DESCRIPTION (COMPLETE) 1.1.pdf

1678-KOLNP-2006-DRAWINGS 1.1.pdf

1678-KOLNP-2006-ENGLISH TRANSLATION.pdf

1678-KOLNP-2006-EXAMINATION REPORT REPLY RECIEVED.pdf

1678-KOLNP-2006-EXAMINATION REPORT.pdf

1678-KOLNP-2006-FORM 1 1.1.pdf

1678-KOLNP-2006-FORM 1-1.2.pdf

1678-KOLNP-2006-FORM 18.pdf

1678-KOLNP-2006-FORM 2-1.1.pdf

1678-KOLNP-2006-FORM 2.pdf

1678-KOLNP-2006-FORM 3 1.1.pdf

1678-KOLNP-2006-FORM 3 1.2.pdf

1678-KOLNP-2006-FORM 3 1.4.pdf

1678-KOLNP-2006-FORM 3-1.3.pdf

1678-KOLNP-2006-FORM 5 1.1.pdf

1678-KOLNP-2006-FORM 5-1.2.pdf

1678-KOLNP-2006-FORM 6.pdf

1678-KOLNP-2006-GPA.pdf

1678-KOLNP-2006-GRANTED-ABSTRACT.pdf

1678-KOLNP-2006-GRANTED-CLAIMS.pdf

1678-KOLNP-2006-GRANTED-DESCRIPTION (COMPLETE).pdf

1678-KOLNP-2006-GRANTED-DRAWINGS.pdf

1678-KOLNP-2006-GRANTED-FORM 1.pdf

1678-KOLNP-2006-GRANTED-FORM 2.pdf

1678-KOLNP-2006-GRANTED-SPECIFICATION.pdf

1678-KOLNP-2006-OTHERS.pdf

1678-KOLNP-2006-PA-1.1.pdf

1678-KOLNP-2006-PA.pdf

1678-KOLNP-2006-PETITION UNDER RULE 137-1.1.pdf

1678-KOLNP-2006-PETITION UNDER RULE 137.pdf

1678-KOLNP-2006-REPLY TO EXAMINATION REPORT.pdf

abstract-01678-kolnp-2006.jpg


Patent Number 255009
Indian Patent Application Number 1678/KOLNP/2006
PG Journal Number 03/2013
Publication Date 18-Jan-2013
Grant Date 14-Jan-2013
Date of Filing 16-Jun-2006
Name of Patentee GEMALTO S.A.
Applicant Address 6 RUE DE LA VERRERIE 92190 MEUDON, FRANCE
Inventors:
# Inventor's Name Inventor's Address
1 MARTIN, CHRISTOPHE IMMEUBLE LE GRAND LARGE, AVENUE JERMINI, F-13260 CASSIS,
2 SCHIRAR, STEPHANE 18 BIS.RUE FELIX LESCURE, F-13720, LA BOUILLADISSE,
PCT International Classification Number H04Q 7/32
PCT International Application Number PCT/EP2004/053507
PCT International Filing date 2004-12-15
PCT Conventions:
# PCT Application Number Date of Convention Priority Country
1 03/51130 2003-12-19 France