Information management system

• US 6,334,046 B1
• Filed: 12/17/1998
• Issued: 12/25/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 12/29/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson
• Original Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson
• Inventors: Philipson, Lars, Svensson, Per
• Primary Examiner(s): Trost, William
• Assistant Examiner(s): Nguyen, Simon
• Application Number:
  US09/213,869
• Time in Patent Office: 1,104 Days
• Field of Search: 455/66, 455/461, 455/417, 455/445, 455/403, 455/566, 455/567, 455/466, 455/556, 455/458, 455/53, 455/55.1, 455/412, 455/418, 455/419, 379/67.1, 379/89, 340/825.52, 340/7.21, 340/7.1
• US Class Current: 455/66.1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/163 Wearable computers, e.g. on a belt
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/275 implemented by means of portable electronic directories
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/00 Services specially adapted for wireless communication networks; Facilities therefor
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/02 Terminal devices

Abstract

A personal information management system includes a personal information manager having a first transceiver and a first storage device for personal information and a communication system, the communication system having a second storage device for personal information, connected to second transceiver. A bi-directional link between the first and second transceivers provides automatic information exchange between the communication system and the information manager whenever the communication system and the information manager are within the range of the link.

Claims

1. A method of information exchange between at least a personal information manager, including first transceiver means and first storage means for personal information, and a communication system, including second storage means for personal information, connected to second transceiver means, the method comprising the steps of:

when the transceiver means of said communication system and information manager are within the range of a bi-directional link between said communication system and said information manager, establishing a bi-directional connection between said communication system and said information manager;

using a communications protocol means to enable personal information stored in said first storage means of said information manager to be transferred without user interaction, via said link, to and received from said second storage means of said communication system, for automatic information exchange between said communication system and said information manager, the communication protocol means performing at least the steps of

if information in said communication system is modified or discarded, sending command signals via said connection to said information manager causing manipulations of databases and settings in said information manager;

sending polling command signals from said communication system to said information manager causing a change of the transfer direction enabling said information manager to send command signals to said communication system;

and if information in said information manager is modified or discarded, sending command signals via said connection to said communication system causing manipulations of databases in said information manager, wherein information is synchronized between said first and second storage means; and

disconnecting the connection.

2. A method according to claim 1, further comprising, preceding the step of establishing a bi-directional connection, the step of:

at a particular event, storing a current event time read from said real-time clock, as modified information, in a first storage means by activation of input means on said information manager.

3. A method according to claim 1, further comprising, preceding the step of establishing a bi-directional connection, the steps of:

at the beginning of a particular task, storing the current start time, read from said real-time clock, as modified information, in a first storage means by activation of said input means on said information manager; and

at the end of said task, storing the current stop time, read from said real-time clock, as modified information, in said first storage means by activation of said input means on said information manager.

4. A personal information management system, comprising at least a personal information manager, including first transceiver means and first storage means for personal information, a communication system including second storage means for personal information, connected to second transceiver means, means for establishment of a connection via a bi-directional link between said first and second transceiver means when the transceiver means of said communication system and information manager are within the range of said link, communications protocol means enabling personal information stored in said first storage means of said information manager to be transferred without user interaction, via said link, to and received from said second storage means of said communication system, for automatic information exchange between said communication system and said information manager, and means for sending polling command signals from said communication system to said information manager causing a change of the transfer direction enabling said information manager to send command signals to said communication system, wherein information is synchronized between said first and second storage means.

5. A personal information manager, including first transceiver means and first storage means for personal information, for communication with a communication system including second storage means for personal information, connected to second transceiver means, means for establishment of a connection via a bi-directional link between said first and second transceiver means when the transceiver means of said information manager and communication system are within the range of said link, and communications protocol means enabling personal information stored in said first storage means of said information manager to be transferred without user interaction, via said link, to and received from said second storage means of said communication system, for automatic information exchange between said communication system and said information manager, wherein polling command signals are sent from said communication system to said information manager causing a change of the transfer direction enabling said information manager to send command signals to said communication system, and information is synchronized between said first and second storage means.