System and method for remotely configuring a desktop mailbox

• US 20050193082A1
• Filed: 02/27/2004
• Published: 09/01/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 02/27/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Malikie Innovations Limited (Key Patent Innovations Limited)
• Original Assignee: Research In Motion Limited (Blackberry Limited)
• Inventors: Burns, Anthony George
• Granted Patent: US 7,797,386 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/213
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/212 using filtering or selective blocking
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/58 Message adaptation for wireless communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/04 specially adapted for terminals or networks with limited capabilities; specially adapted for terminal portability
• 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 69/329 in the application layer [OSI layer 7]

Abstract

A method and system for remotely configuring a desktop mailbox manager. A mobile node operable to communicate within a wireless network includes a remote desktop controller to generate configuration messages for transmission to a home node at which the desktop mailbox manager is located. When reconfiguration is required, reconfiguration criteria are formulated, usually at the direction of the user. The reconfiguration criteria are then used by the remote desktop controller to create a reconfiguration message, which is addressed for delivery to the home node. A network connection is established, and the reconfiguration message is transmitted. A network server associated with the base station through which the mobile node is communicating with the network routes the message to a server associated with the home node, utilizing an appropriate gateway if necessary. The message is stored on the server until the home node establishes communication and then the message is downloaded to the home node. In the home node, the message is used to reconfigure the desktop manager.

Claims

1. In a communication network having at least a mobile node and a home node, the home node having a configured desktop manager, a system for configuring the home-node desktop manager from the mobile node, said system comprising:

a reconfiguration message generator selectively coupled to the communication network for generating a reconfiguration message; and

a home-node reconfiguration message processor coupled to the desktop manager and selectively coupled to the communication network for changing the desktop configuration according to the reconfiguration message when it is received from the mobile node.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a home-node message generator for generating reconfiguration confirmation messages for transmitting to the mobile node.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the home-node reconfiguration processor is operable to compare changes requested in the reconfiguration message to determine if the requested configuration changes can be made.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the home-node message generator is operable to generate a message for transmission to the mobile station indicating that the changes requested in the reconfiguration message cannot be made.

5. The system of claim 2, wherein the reconfiguration confirmation messages contain a configuration status summary.

6. The system of claim 1, further comprising a configuration status summary generator for generating a configuration status summary.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the communication network is a cellular communication network.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the desktop manager is password protected and wherein the home-node reconfiguration message processor is operable to determine if a reconfiguration message includes the password.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the reconfiguration message generator is resident in the mobile node.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the mobile node includes an organizer database that may be synchronized with a home-node organizer database over the communication network, and wherein the reconfiguration message is transmitted with the organizer synchronization data.

11. The system of claim 1, further comprising a reconfiguration server coupled to the communication network, and wherein reconfiguration message generator is resident in the reconfiguration server.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the mobile node comprises a Web browser and wherein the reconfiguration server includes at least one Web page for transmitting to the mobile node.

13. A method for reconfiguring a home-node desktop manager through a communication network, said method comprising the steps of:

providing a mobile node operable to communicate in the communication network;

generating a reconfiguration message; and

transmitting the reconfiguration message to the home node via the communication network.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising the step of receiving a confirmation message indicating that the requested reconfiguration has been made.

15. The method of claim 13, further comprising the step of requesting a desktop configuration status summary.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising the step of receiving the desktop configuration status summary, wherein the step of generating a reconfiguration message is not performed until the desktop configuration status summary is received.

17. The method of claim 13, wherein the reconfiguration message is generated in the mobile node.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the mobile node includes an organizer database that may be synchronized with a home-node organizer database over the communication network, and wherein the reconfiguration message is transmitted with the organizer synchronization data.

19. The method of claim 13, wherein the mobile node comprises a Web browser, and further comprising the steps of:

requesting a Web page from a Web site on a server via the communication network;

receiving the Web page;

displaying at least a portion of the Web page;

interacting with the displayed portion of the Web page to indicate changes to the home-node desktop manager; and

transmitting the indicated changes to the server.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the reconfiguration message is generated in the server.

21. A handheld mobile device operable in a wireless communication network, said handheld mobile device comprising:

a configuration status request message selectively coupled to the communication network generator for generating status requests for transmission to a home node in communication with the wireless network in order to determine the current configuration of a desktop manager associated with the home node; and

a reconfiguration message generator selectively coupled to the communication network for generating a reconfiguration message for transmission to the home node.

22. The handheld mobile device of claim 21, further comprising an organizer database that may be synchronized with a home-node organizer database over the communication network, and wherein the reconfiguration message is transmitted with the organizer synchronization data.

23. The handheld mobile device of claim 21, further comprising a Web browser.

24. The handheld mobile device of claim 21, wherein the reconfiguration message comprises a pre-selected password.

25. The handheld mobile device of claim 21, wherein the reconfiguration message comprises identification indicia that uniquely identifies the mobile node.