Virus detection system, method and computer program product for handheld computers

• US 20040237079A1
• Filed: 06/22/2004
• Published: 11/25/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/24/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: McAfee, LLC
• Original Assignee: Networks Associates Technology, Inc. (McAfee, LLC)
• Inventors: Haagensen, Brandt, Cox, Brian R., Kim, Do
• Granted Patent: US 7,818,739 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 717/168
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/564 by virus signature recognition
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/567 using dedicated hardware
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2115 Third party
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/65 Updates security arrangements therefor G06F21/57

Abstract

A method and system are provided for updating software on a handheld computer in communication with a client computer system operable to connect to a network. Software installed on the handheld computer is identified with the client computer. Moreover, information on the identified software is transmitted from the client computer to a server connected to the network. Further, updated versions of the software installed on the handheld computer are transferred from the server to the client computer based on the identified software that is installed on the handheld computer. Still yet, the software installed on the handheld computer is updated with the updated versions transferred to the client computer.

Claims

1. A method for updating software on a handheld computer in communication with a client computer system operable to connect to a network, the method comprising:

identifying software installed on the handheld computer with the client computer and transmitting information on the identified software from the client computer to a server connected to the network;

transferring updated versions of the software installed on the handheld computer from the server to the client computer based on the identified software that is installed on the handheld computer; and

updating the software installed on the handheld computer with the updated versions transferred to the client computer.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising initiating communication between the handheld computer and the client computer.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein initiating communication comprises connecting a serial line between the handheld computer and the client computer.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein connecting a serial line comprises placing the handheld computer in a cradle connected to the serial line.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the network is the Internet.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the network is a local area network.

7. The method of claim 1 further comprising notifying a user of the handheld computer that the installed software has been updated.

8. The method of claim 1 further comprising synchronizing data between the handheld computer and the client computer.

9. The method of claim 1 further comprising scanning data on the handheld computer for viruses.

10. A computer product embodied on a computer readable medium for updating software on a handheld computer in communication with a client computer operable to connect to a network, the product comprising:

computer code that reads data from the handheld computer to identify software installed on the handheld computer;

computer code that transmits information on the identified software from the client computer to a server connected to the network;

computer code that transfers updated versions of the software installed on the handheld computer from the server to the client computer based on the identified software that is installed on the handheld computer;

computer code that updates the software installed on the handheld computer with the updated versions transferred to the client computer; and

a computer readable medium that stores said computer codes.

11. The computer product of claim 10 further comprising computer code that initiates communication between the handheld computer and the client computer.

12. The computer product of claim 11 wherein initiating communication comprises connecting a serial line between the handheld computer and the client computer.

13. The computer product of claim 12 wherein connecting a serial line comprises placing the handheld computer in a cradle connected to the serial line.

14. The computer product of claim 10 wherein the network is the Internet.

15. The computer product of claim 10 wherein the network is a local area network.

16. The computer product of claim 10 further comprising computer code that notifies a user of the handheld computer that the installed software has been updated.

17. The computer product of claim 10 further comprising computer code that synchronizes data between the handheld computer and the client computer.

18. The computer product of claim 10 further comprising computer code that scans data on the handheld computer for viruses.

19. A system for updating software on a handheld computer in communication with a client computer operable to connect to a network, the system comprising:

logic that reads data from the handheld computer to identify software installed on the handheld computer;

logic that transmits information on the identified software from the client computer to a server connected to the network;

logic that transfers updated versions of the software installed on the handheld computer from the server to the client computer based on the identified software that is installed on the handheld computer; and

logic that updates the software installed on the handheld computer with the updated versions transferred to the client computer.