System, apparatus and method for preserving data

#1. Field of the Invention

#This invention relates generally to the field of network data services. More particularly, the invention relates to an apparatus and method for preserving data on an apparatus having a limited power source.

#2. Description of the Related Art

#A better understanding of the present invention can be obtained from the following detailed description in conjunction with the following drawings, in which:

#FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary network architecture used to implement elements of the present invention.

#FIG. 2 illustrates another exemplary network architecture used to implement elements of the present invention.

#In the following description, for the purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without some of these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form to avoid obscuring the underlying principles of the present invention.

#Elements of the present invention may be included within a client-server based architecture 100 such as that illustrated in FIG. 1. According to the embodiment depicted in FIG. 1, a portal server 110 communicates with clients 140 and other network servers 130 over a network 120 (e.g., the Internet). The network 120 over which the clients 140 and servers 110, 130 transmit and receive data may be comprised of any combination of private (e.g., leased) and/or public communication channels. These may include, for example, Digital Signal (“DS”) channels (e.g., DS-3/T-3, DS-1/T1), Synchronous Optical Network (“SONET”) channels (e.g., OC-3/STS-3), Integrated Services Digital Network (“ISDN”) channels, Digital Subscriber Line (“DSL”) channels, cable modem channels and a variety of wireless communication channels including satellite broadcast and cellular channels.

#In addition, various networking protocols may be used to support communication across the network 120 including, for example, the Asynchronous Transfer Mode (“ATM”), Ethernet, and Token Ring (at the data-link level); as well as Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (“TCP/IP”), Internetwork Packet Exchange (“IPX”), AppleTalk and DECnet (at the network/transport level). It should be noted, however, that the principles of the invention are not limited to any particular communication channel or protocol.