Transparent remote data storage device and method

1. A memory device for use by an electronic appliance, said memory device comprising:

a first data port operatively connectable to said electronic appliance;

a second data port operatively connectable to a remote memory device;

a data storage portion; and

a data allocation device operatively connected to said first data port, said second data port, and said data storage portion;

said data allocation device being adapted to:

allocate a portion of memory within said remote memory device for use by said electronic appliance; and

route data between said first data port, said second data port, and said data storage portion.

2. The device of claim 1 , wherein said second data port is operatively connectable to an electronic network that is operatively connected to said remote memory device.

3. The device of claim 1 , wherein said data allocation device comprises a computer and a computer-readable medium operatively associated with said computer,said computer-readable medium comprising instructions for controlling said computer and said data allocation device by:

establishing a connection with said remote memory device;

allocating a portion of memory of said remote memory device for use by said electronic appliance; and

communicating the memory available for use by said electronic appliance to said appliance.

4. The device of claim 3 , wherein said instructions further control said computer by determining whether a connection with said remote memory device can be established, and wherein said establishing a connection comprises establishing a connection with said remote memory device if said connection can be established, and wherein said allocating a portion of memory comprises allocating a portion of memory of said external storage device for use by said electronic appliance if said connection with said remote memory device can be established.

5. The device of claim 3 , wherein said instructions further control said computer by:

receiving data from said first data port;

determining whether said data received from said first data port is to be stored in said data storage portion or in said remote memory device; and

routing said data to either said data storage portion or said remote memory device based on said determining.

6. The device of claim 5 , wherein said routing further control said computer by routing said data to said data storage portion if said data is cache data.

7. The device of claim 3 , wherein said instructions further control said computer by:

receiving a request for data from said electronic appliance;

determining the location of said data; and

routing said data to said electronic appliance.

8. The device of claim 3 , wherein said instructions further control said computer by continually attempting to establish a connection with said remote memory device.

9. The device of claim 1 , wherein said electronic appliance is a camera.

10. The device of claim 1 , wherein said electronic appliance is a personal digital assistant.

11. An electronic device comprising:

a processor; and

a memory device operatively connectable to said processor;

said memory device comprising:

a port operatively connectable to a remote memory device;

a data storage portion; and

a data allocation device operatively connected to said port and said data storage portion;

said data allocation device being adapted to:

allocate a portion of said remote memory device for use by said processor; and

route data between said processor, said data storage portion, and said remote memory device, wherein cache data is routed to said data storage portion.

12. The electronic device of claim 11 , wherein said port is operatively connectable to an electronic network that is operatively connected to said remote memory device.

13. The electronic device of claim 11 , wherein said data allocation device comprises a computer and a computer-readable medium operatively associated with said computer, said computer-readable medium comprising instructions for controlling said computer and said data allocation device by:

establishing a connection with said remote memory device;

allocating a portion of memory of said remote memory device for use by said processor; and

communicating the memory available for use by said processor from said data allocation device to said processor.

14. The electronic appliance of claim 13 , wherein said instructions further control said computer by determining whether a connection with said remote memory device can be established, and wherein said establishing a connection comprises establishing a connection with said remote memory device if said connection can be established, and wherein said allocating a portion of memory comprises allocating a portion of memory of said remote memory device for use by said processor if said connection with said remote memory device can be established.

15. The electronic device of claim 14 , wherein said instructions further control said computer by continually attempting to establish a connection with said remote memory device.

16. The electronic device of claim 13 , wherein said instructions further control said computer by:

receiving data from said processor;

determining whether said data is to be stored in said data storage portion or in said remote memory device; and

routing said data to either said data storage portion or said remote memory device based on said determining.

17. The electronic device of claim 16 , wherein said routing further comprises routing said data to said data storage portion if said data is cache data.

18. The electronic device of claim 13 , wherein said instructions further control said computer by:

receiving a request for data from said processor;

determining the location of said data; and

routing said data from said location to said processor.

19. The electronic device of claim 11 , wherein said memory device is removably, operatively connectable to said processor.

20. A method for operating an electronic appliance, said method comprising:

establishing a data connection between said electronic appliance and a memory device, said memory device comprising a data storage portion and a data allocation device;

establishing a data connection between said memory device and a remote data storage device;

allocating a portion of memory of said remote data storage device for use by said electronic appliance;

transmitting data from said electronic appliance to said memory device; and

allocating said data to be stored in either said data storage portion or said remote data storage device using said data allocation device.

21. The method of claim 20 , and further comprising communicating the amount of memory available from said memory device to said electronic device.

22. The method of claim 20 and further comprising continually attempting to establish a data connection between said memory device and said remote memory device.

23. The method of claim 20 , wherein said electronic appliance is a camera.

24. The method of claim 20 , wherein said electronic appliance is a personal digital assistant.