HANDHELD COMPUTER SYNCHRONIZED WITH A HOST COMPUTER

• US 20010011308A1
• Filed: 10/20/1998
• Published: 08/02/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 12/02/1992
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Compaq Computer Corporation (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: CROSSWY, WILLIAM CALDWELL, COOPER, PATRICK R., CROCHET, LARRY J., CLARK, TED H., MALISEWSKI, STEVEN C.
• Granted Patent: US 6,317,797 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 710/20
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1626 with a single-body enclosure integrating a flat display, e.g. Personal Digital Assistants [PDAs]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1656 Details related to functional adaptations of the enclosure, e.g. to provide protection against EMI, shock, water, or to host detachable peripherals like a mouse or removable expansions units like PCMCIA cards, or to provide access to internal components for maintenance or to removable storage supports like CDs or DVDs, or to mechanically mount accessories mounting of accessories to a computer display G06F1/1607; display hoods G06F1/1603; cooling arrangements for portable computers G06F1/203
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/166 related to integrated arrangements for adjusting the position of the main body with respect to the supporting surface, e.g. legs for adjusting the tilt angle
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1698 the I/O peripheral being a sending/receiving arrangement to establish a cordless communication link, e.g. radio or infrared link, integrated cellular phone details of antennas disposed inside a computer H01Q1/2266
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 15/0225 User interface arrangements, e.g. keyboard, display; Interfaces to other computer systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 15/0266 for time management, e.g. calendars, diaries
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/1787 Details of non-transparently synchronising file systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/109 Time management, e.g. calendars, reminders, meetings or time accounting
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99952 Coherency, e.g. same view to multiple users
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99953 Recoverability

Abstract

A handheld computer which contains an LCD display having a digitizing surface to allow pen input. Internal storage takes several forms, such as a large flash ROM area, battery-backed up RAM and an optional hard disk drive. Several alternative communication paths are available, such as the previously mentioned modem, a parallel printer port, a conventional serial port, a cradle assembly connected to the host computer, and various wireless short distance techniques such as radio frequency or infrared transmission. The computer can readily communicate with other sources, particularly to a host desktop computer, to allow automated synchronization of information between the host and the handheld system. Preferably the remote synchronization is performed at several user selectable levels. When the handheld computer is in a cradle and actively connected to the host computer, automatic capture of updated data in the host computer is performed. Several synchronization techniques are utilized to keep track of different types of files. In addition, while communication is established the handheld computer can enter a remote control mode, allowing the user access to files and applications not included in the handheld computer.

Claims

1. A handheld computer for communication with a host computer, both the handheld and host computers having a plurality of files including at least one common file, each computer having a copy of the common file, the handheld computer comprising:

means for automatically establishing a communications link with the host computer;

means for comparing the copies of the common file in the host computer and the handheld computer when said communications link is established; and

means for resolving any differences in the copies and for storing identical copies of the common file in the host computer and the handheld computer.

2. The handheld computer of

claim 1

, wherein said means for automatically establishing a communications link includes a plurality of communication channels usable by the handheld computer and means for scanning said plurality of communication channels to establish said communications link.

3. The handheld computer of

claim 2

, wherein said means for automatically establishing a communications link further includes means for receiving approval from a user to establish said communications link before incurring a charge if said communications channel to be used includes a charges.

4. The handheld computer of

claim 1

, wherein said means for automatically establishing a communications link establishes said communications link as part of the turn on process of the handheld computer.

5. The handheld computer of

claim 4

, wherein said means for automatically establishing a communications link further attempts to establish said link at periodic intervals.

6. The handheld computer of

claim 1

, wherein said means for resolving the differences includes means for displaying both copies of the common file to a user to allow user selection of which copy to use as a master copy.

7. The handheld computer of

claim 6

, wherein said means for displaying both copies highlights the differences between the copies of the common file.

8. The handheld computer of

claim 1

, wherein the common file includes appointment information and wherein said means for resolving the differences includes means for displaying conflicting entries to a user for user selection of which entry to retain.

9. The handheld computer of

claim 8

, wherein said means for resolving any differences further includes means for adding nonconflicting entries to the other computer without individual user approval.

10. A method for synchronizing a common file present in both a handheld computer and a host computer, the method comprising the steps of:

automatically establishing a communications link from the handheld computer to the host computer;

comparing the copies of the common file in the host computer and the handheld computer when said communications link is established; and

resolving any differences in the copies and storing identical copies of the common file in the host computer and the handheld computer.

11. The method of

claim 10

, wherein said step of automatically establishing a communications link utilizes a plurality of communication channels usable by the handheld computer and includes the step of scanning said plurality of communication channels to establish said communications link.

12. The method of

claim 11

, wherein said step of automatically establishing a communications link further includes receiving approval from a user to establish said communications link before incurring a charge if said communications channel to be used includes a charges.

13. The method of

claim 10

, wherein said step of automatically establishing a communications link establishes said communications link as part of the turn on process of the handheld computer.

14. The method of

claim 13

, wherein said step of automatically establishing a communications link further attempts to establish said link at periodic intervals.

15. The method of

claim 10

, wherein said step of resolving the differences includes displaying both copies of the common file to a user to allow user selection of which copy to use as a master copy.

16. The method of

claim 15

, wherein said step of resolving the differences includes highlighting the differences between the copies of the common file when displaying both copies.

17. The method of

claim 10

, wherein the common file includes appointment information and wherein said step of resolving the differences includes displaying conflicting entries to a user for user selection of which entry to retain.

18. The method of

claim 17

, wherein said step of resolving the differences further includes the step of adding nonconflicting entries to the other computer without individual user approval.

19. A computer system comprising:

a host computer having a plurality of files and a communications port; and

a handheld computer having a plurality of files, at least one in common with said host computer so that both said host computer and said handheld computer have a copy, said handheld computer including;

a communications port compatible with said communications port of said host computer;

means for automatically establishing a communication link between said handheld computer communications port and said host computer communications port;

means for comparing the copies of said common file in said host computer and said handheld computer when said communications link is established; and

means for resolving any differences in the copies and for storing identical copies of said common file in said host computer and said handheld computer.

20. The computer system of

claim 19

, wherein one of said host computer or said handheld computer includes:

means for selecting a file on said one computer to be a common file; and

means for transferring a copy of the file selected to be a common file to the other of said computers.

21. The computer system of

claim 20

, wherein said means for selecting a file maintains a list of common files and includes means for allowing a user to alter items in said list of common files.

22. The computer system of

claim 20

, wherein said one computer includes means for maintaining appointment information and said means for maintaining appointment information maintains a list of files designated to be common files associated with particular appointment information and indicates to said means for selecting a file a predetermined period prior to said appointment that the files in said list of files are selected to be common files.

23. The computer system of

claim 22

, further comprising:

means for deselecting a file from being a common file; and

wherein said means for maintaining further indicates to said means for deselecting a file that the files in said list of files are to be deselected from being common files a predetermined period after completion of said appointment.

24. The computer system of

claim 19

, further comprising:

a cradle for receiving said handheld computer and having means for connecting to said handheld computer communications port and to said host computer communications port.

25. The computer system of

claim 24

, wherein said means for automatically establishing a communication link establishes said communication link when said handheld computer is received in said cradle.