System and method for automatically installing data on a handheld computer

• US 20040154014A1
• Filed: 01/30/2003
• Published: 08/05/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 01/30/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Epocrates LLC (Athenahealth Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Epocrates (Athenahealth Incorporated)
• Inventors: Bunger, Samuel David
• Granted Patent: US 6,944,859 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 717/174
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/61 Installation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99931 Database or file accessing

Abstract

A client computer requests a client-handheld conduit file from an installation server. The client computer then receives the client-handheld conduit file from the installation server and establishing a synchronization session between the client computer and a handheld computer coupled to the client computer. The client-handheld conduit file is then transmitted to the handheld computer from the client computer, and a client-handheld conduit opened between the client computer and the handheld computer using the client-handheld conduit file. A handheld file is subsequently requested from the installation server. The client computer receives the handheld file from the installation server, and transmits the handheld file from the client computer to the handheld computer for installation on the handheld computer. This entire method is performed each time a new handheld file is installed on the handheld computer. Also, all steps following the establishing step occur without any user intervention.

Claims

1. A computer implemented method for installing a handheld file on a handheld computer, comprising:

requesting at a client computer a client-handheld conduit file from an installation server;

receiving at said client computer said client-handheld conduit file from said installation server;

establishing a synchronization session between said client computer and a handheld computer coupled to said client computer;

transmitting said client-handheld conduit file to said handheld computer from said client computer;

opening a client-handheld conduit between said client computer and said handheld computer using said client-handheld conduit file;

requesting a handheld file from said installation server;

receiving at said client computer said handheld file from said installation server; and

transmitting said handheld file from said client computer to said handheld computer for installation on said handheld computer,

where said method is performed each time a new handheld file is installed on said handheld computer, and where all steps following said establishing step occur without any user intervention.

2. The computer implemented method of claim 1, further comprising, after said opening, determining at said client computer a local environment on said handheld computer via said client-handheld conduit.

3. The computer implemented method of claim 2, wherein said requesting said handheld file from said installation server is based on said local environment on said handheld computer.

4. The computer implemented of claim 2, wherein said determining comprises:

transmitting a query for said local environment on said handheld computer to said handheld computer via said client-handheld conduit; and

receiving information relating to said local environment from said handheld computer.

5. The computer implemented of claim 1, further comprising, prior to said requesting,

building a source directory request for a source directory specific to said local environment on said handheld computer;

sending said source directory request to said installation server; and

receiving said source directory from said installation server.

6. The computer implemented of claim 5, wherein said requesting comprises requesting said handheld file from said source directory on said installation server.

7. The computer implemented of claim 1, further comprising, before requesting a client-handheld conduit file, authenticating a user.

9. The computer implemented method of claim 1, further comprising, after said opening, receiving a request for a local environment of said handheld computer via said client-handheld conduit.

10. The computer implemented method of claim 9, wherein a type of said handheld file received is based on said local environment on said handheld computer.

8. A computer implemented method for installing a handheld file on a handheld computer, comprising:

establishing a synchronization session between a handheld computer and a client computer;

receiving at said handheld computer a client-handheld conduit file from said client computer;

opening a client-handheld conduit between said client computer and said handheld computer using said client-handheld conduit file;

receiving at said handheld computer a handheld file from said client computer; and

installing said handheld file on said handheld computer,

where said entire method is performed each time a new handheld file is installed on said handheld computer, and where all steps following said establishing step occur without any user intervention

11. A computer program product for installing a new handheld file on a handheld computer, the computer program product comprising a computer readable storage and a computer program stored therein, the computer program comprising:

instructions for requesting at a client computer a client-handheld conduit file from an installation server;

instructions for receiving at said client computer said client-handheld conduit file from said installation server;

instructions for establishing a synchronization session between said client computer and a handheld computer coupled to said client computer;

instructions for transmitting said client-handheld conduit file to said handheld computer from said client computer;

instructions for opening a client-handheld conduit between said client computer and said handheld computer using said client-handheld conduit file;

instructions for requesting a handheld file from said installation server;

instructions for receiving at said client computer said handheld file from said installation server; and

instructions for transmitting said handheld file from said client computer to said handheld computer for installation on said handheld computer,

where said entire method is performed each time a new handheld file is installed on said handheld computer, and where all steps following said establishing step occur without any user intervention.

12. The computer program product of claim 11, wherein said computer program further comprises instructions for determining at said client computer a local environment on said handheld computer via said client-handheld conduit.

13. A system for installing a new handheld file on a handheld computer, comprising:

at least one installation server coupled to a network;

at least one client computer coupled to said network; and

at least one handheld computer coupled to said client computer,

wherein said client computer comprises;

a Central Processing Unit (CPU);

communications circuitry; and

a memory comprising;

instructions for requesting a client-handheld conduit file from said installation server;

instructions for requesting at said client computer a client-handheld conduit file from an installation server;

instructions for receiving at said client computer said client-handheld conduit file from said installation server;

instructions for establishing a synchronization session between said client computer and said handheld computer;

instructions for transmitting said client-handheld conduit file to said handheld computer from said client computer;

instructions for opening a client-handheld conduit between said client computer and said handheld computer using said client-handheld conduit file;

instructions for requesting a handheld file from said installation server;

instructions for receiving at said client computer said handheld file from said installation server; and

instructions for transmitting said handheld file from said client computer to said handheld computer for installation on said handheld computer,

where said entire method is performed each time a new handheld file is installed on said handheld computer, and where all steps following said establishing step occur without any user intervention.

14. The computer program product of claim 13, wherein said memory further comprises instructions for determining at said client computer a local environment on said handheld computer via said client-handheld conduit.