Installing communication protocol in a handheld device

• US 20030140129A1
• Filed: 01/24/2002
• Published: 07/24/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 01/24/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Motion Sense Corporation
• Original Assignee: Motion Sense Corporation
• Inventors: Livnat, Noam, Lau, Hon Tat
• Application Number:
  US10/058,494
• Publication Number:
  US 20030140129A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/221
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/34 involving the movement of software or configuration parameters network booting or remote initial program loading [RIPL] G06F9/4416
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/18 Multiprotocol handlers, e.g. single devices capable of handling multiple protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/24 Negotiation of communication capabilities
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/329 in the application layer [OSI layer 7]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 Network security protocols

Abstract

Methods and system for delivering a communication protocol to a handheld electronic device. The techniques include physically attaching a first device having a first communication protocol to a second device having a plurality of communication protocols, the plurality including the first communication protocol and a second communication protocol, determining that the second communication protocol is not installed on the second device, based on this determination, selecting the first communication protocol from the plurality of communication protocols, and establishing communication between the first and second devices using the first communication protocol, transferring the second communication protocol from the second device to the first device, installing the second communication protocol on the first device, and switching to the second communication protocol for further communication. In one embodiment, the communication protocols are software-based and the electronic devices are hand-held devices such as PDAs, cell phones, and digital cameras.

Claims

1. A method for delivering a communication protocol to an electronic device, comprising:

physically attaching a first electronic device having a first communication protocol to a second device having a plurality of communication protocols, the plurality of communication protocols including the first communication protocol and a second communication protocol;

establishing communication between the first and second devices using the first communication protocol;

transferring the second communication protocol from the second device to the first device;

installing the second communication protocol on the first device; and

switching to the second communication protocol for further communication.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the first and second communication protocol are software communication protocols.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the first and second electronic devices are handheld devices.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the established communication is point-to-point communication.

5. A method for exchanging data between electronic devices, comprising:

physically attaching a first electronic device having a first communication protocol to a second device having a plurality of communication protocols, the plurality of communication protocols including the first communication protocol and a second communication protocol;

determining that the second communication protocol is not installed on the second device;

based on this determination, selecting the first communication protocol from the plurality of communication protocols; and

establishing communication between the first and second devices using the first communication protocol.

6. The method of claim 5 further comprising:

transferring the second communication protocol from the second device to the first device;

installing the second communication protocol on the first device; and

switching to the second communication protocol for further communication.

7. An apparatus for delivering data to a handheld electronic device, the apparatus comprising:

non-volatile storage for storing a plurality of communication protocols including a first communication protocol and a second communication protocol; and

a processor configured to;

establish communication with the handheld device using the first communication protocol;

transfer the second communication protocol to the handheld device;

install the second communication protocol on the handheld device; and

switch to the second communication protocol for further communication with the handheld device.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 further comprising an electrical connector physically coupling the apparatus to the handheld device.

9. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the first and second communication protocol are software communication protocols.

10. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the established communication is point-to-point communication.