throbber
United States Patent
`
`[19]
`
`[11] Patent Number:
`
`5,974,238
`
`Chase, Jr.
`
`[45] Date of Patent:
`
`Oct. 26, 1999
`
`US005974-238A
`
`[54] AUTOMATIC DATA SYNCHRONIZATION
`BETWEEN A HANDHELD AND A HOST
`COMPUTER USING PSEUDO CACHE
`INCLUDING TAGS AND LOGICAL DATA
`ELEMENTS
`
`[75]
`
`Inventor: Charlie David Chase, Jr., Spring, Tex.
`
`[73] Assignee: Compaq Computer Corporation,
`Houston, Tex.
`
`[21] Appl. No.: 08/689,304
`
`[22]
`
`Filed:
`
`Aug. 7, 1996
`
`[51]
`
`Int. Cl.6 ............................ .. G06F 1/00; G06F 15/00;
`G06F 17/30; G06F 15/62
`............................... . 395/200.78; 395/200.76;
`[52] U.S. Cl.
`395/821; 395/892; 395/893; 707/200; 707/203;
`707/204
`[58] Field of Search ....................... .. 395/200.78, 200.76,
`395/821, 892, 893; 707/200, 203, 204
`
`[56]
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`4,897,781
`5,337,044
`5,392,390
`
`1/1990 Chang et al.
`......................... .. 364/200
`
`8/1994 Folger et al.
`.. 340/825.44
`2/1995 Crozier .................................. .. 395/161
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`Personal Air Communications Technology Brochure No.
`32956.
`
`Inc.) Brochure
`(Pacific Communication Sciences,
`PSCI
`entitled pACT: An Advanced Two—Way Messaging and
`Paging Protocol.
`PCSI News Release dated Jun. 5, 1996, announcing Chip Set
`for pACT Two—Way Paging and Messaging Services.
`Vendetti, Don, Wireless Tutorial—Narrowband PCS:
`Two—Way Messaging, Wireless for the Corporate User
`(1996).
`PSCI, Product Brochure for PC18101F—01 Control Proces-
`sor for AT&T pACT NPCS System, Dec. 1, 1995.
`PSCI, Product Brochure for PC11503T Modem IC for
`AT&T pACT NPCS System, Dec. 1, 1995.
`
`144
`
`112
`
`PSCI, Product Brochure for PC11504T Modem Processor
`for AT&T pACT NPCS System, Dec. 8, 1995.
`PSCI, Product Brochure for PC11605M Radio Transceiver
`for AT&T pACT NPCS System, Dec. 1, 1995.
`Thryft, Ann R., pACT Adds Sophistication to Two Way
`Paging Services, EBN, Jun. 17, 1996, 1996, p. 22.
`Moore, Mark, “Pegasus to lack key functions”, PC Week,
`Jun. 24, 1996, p.8.
`Matzkin, Jonathan, “The New PDAIIand—held devices head
`online”, PC Magazine, Jun. 25, 1996, p. 31.
`Yoshida, Junko, “WebTV pulls Sony, Philips into the Net,”
`Electronic Engineering Times, Jul. 15, 1996, p. 16.
`Wirbel, Loring, “Alliance to spin a wireless Web”, Elec-
`tronic Engineering Times, Jul. 15, 1996, pp. 1,8.
`Moore, Mark, “Users of Pegasus will get choice of wireless
`carriers”, PC Week, Jul. 22,1996, pp. 9,40.
`
`(List continued on next page.)
`
`Primary Examiner—Zarni Maung
`Assistant Examiner—William D. Thomson
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Akin, Gump, Strauss, Hauer &
`Fcld, LLP
`
`[57]
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`An apparatus is disclosed for performing dynamic synchro-
`nization between data stored in a handheld computer and a
`host computer, each having a plurality of data sets including
`at least one common data set, each computer having a copy
`of the common data set. The handheld computer has a
`processor, a communication port, and a data synchronization
`engine. The data synchronization engine has a pseudo-cache
`and one or more tags connected to the pseudo cache. Data
`is synchronized whenever data is written to main memory
`and/or when the associated pseudo-cache tag is invalidated.
`By strict adherence to a set of protocols, data coherency is
`achieved because the system always knows who owns the
`data, who has a copy of the data, and who has modified the
`data. The data synchronization engine resolves any dilTer-
`ences in the copies and allows the storage of identical copies
`of the COIIIIHOH data set in the host computer and in the
`handheld computer.
`
`25 Claims, 25 Drawing Sheets
`
`26
`
`110
`
`BA[2K-
`
`LCD
`
`
` 43
`
`um
`
`1 51
`43-
`
`CDMBINAIIDM
`
`
`
`
`
`MIERUPRUEESSDR
`
`
`
`WIRELESS
`CIRCUITRV
`120
`
`PCMEIA
`SLUHSI
`
`130
`38
`
`118
`
`+3.3,+5.
`POWER
`sumv +1z,_3u
`
`50
`
`FANDANGO EXHIBIT 1074
`
`FANDANGO EXHIBIT 1074
`
`

`
`5,974,238
`Page 2
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`Wolfe, Alexander, “Microsoft poses PC specs”, Electronic
`Engineering Times, Aug. 8, 1996, Issue 909, pp. 1, 8.
`Gardner’ W. David’ “Microsoft cycs Onc_Way paging to
`jump—start handhelds”, Electronic Engineering Times, Aug.
`8, 1996, Issue 909, pp. 10, 16.
`
`Grace, Elden, “RF Filter Technology for Wireless Commu-
`nications”, Wireless Design & Development, p. 8.
`
`Sharp Model ZR—5700/ZR—5800 Keyboard Enhanced Per-
`sonal Digital Assistant—Zaurus Operational Manual, pp.
`1—61.
`
`
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 26, 1999
`
`Sheet 1 of 25
`
`5,974,238
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 26, 1999
`
`Sheet 2 of 25
`
`5,974,238
`
`
`
`FIG.1C
`
`
`
`

`
`
`
`5,974,2385,974,238
`
`
`
`

`
`
`
`5,974,2385,974,238
`
`
`
`

`
`
`
`n:.GEn:.GE
`
`
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 26, 1999
`
`Sheet 6 of 25
`
`5,974,238
`
`
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`0
`
`hS
`
`f
`
`5
`
`47
`
`3
`
`2,VGE
`
`9,8
`
`_m+_2+5%..
`
`
`
`222+:._.:a
`
`8
`
`azsmI5<_:s._1
`o.22.7as-EF:2:wm::_=_§_aE
`
`I — I
`
`2.Y
`
`_s_:z_2,_8
`
`.___a
`
`5I.
`2:-
`
`an8
`
`
`
` mat%_>_m_.s§E1,_§§=._ea_2N2
`
`atEN:
`
`vvfio_m
`
`-5255H.5:es:832I3:
`E:ca:
`
`
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 26, 1999
`
`Sheet 8 of 25
`
`5,974,238
`
`
`
`200
`
`EXCLUSIVE
`
`CREATE
`_
`
`
`
`PRIVATE
`
`UPDATE
`1-— — : — — — — — — — — —
`
`CLEAN
`SHARED
`
`202
`
`MODIFY
`— — — — - — — - - - — ->
`
`INVALIDATE
`
`RESTORE
`
`204
`
`DELETED
`
`206
`
`DIRTY
`SHARED
`
`TABLE
`
`SIGNATURE
`TABLE
`
`FIELD
`MAPPING
`
`/ 220
`
`240
`
`24 1
`
`242
`243
`
`250
`
`251
`252
`
`FIELD MAPPING
`
`FIELD MAPPING
`
`FIELD MAPPING
`
`FIG. 7
`
`
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 26, 1999
`
`Sheet 9 of 25
`
`5,974,238
`
`SYNCHRONIZATIDN SOFTWARE
`214
`
`_
`270
`COHERENCY
`PROTOCOL
`ENGINE
`
`
`
`272
`
`222
`
`226
`
`SCHEDULER
`PIM
`
`
`230
`234
`
`
`
`
`TRAVELAGENT
`
`DESKTOP APPS
`
`
`
`
`
`I TRAVELAGENT
`
`K 224
`
`I" ’s‘cH'EIJuIETI '1
`‘L _[_JA_TAE_N§|!1lE_ j
`
`_ _ _ _ r_2_2_81
`
`4 n5’I*T'?I“E‘IIL{;S.§E
`:
`'::::::n
`—L BETA E_N§,!E_J
`232
`
`DATA
`SYNCHRDNIZATIUN
`ENGINE
`SIGNATURES
`FIELD MAPS
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`[3
`BUD
`J
`
`H
`
`HANDHELD
`
`FIG. 6A
`
`229
`
`233
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`DATA sIINI: API
`
`PIM DATA
`SYNC ENGINE
`
`CDHEHENCY PRDTUCUL
`ENGINE
`
`223
`
`315
`
`2 17
`
`213
`
`225
`
`SCI-IEDULER
`PIM
`
`PHONELIST
`PIM
`
`TRAVELAGENT
`PIM
`
`
`
`FIG. 6B
`
`
`
`

`
`
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 26, 1999
`
`Sheet 10 of 25
`
`5,974,238
`
`HTD CREATE HANDHELD
`
`2
`
`99
`
`WRITE TO RAM
`
`300
`
`
`
`WRITE TO
`PREDETERMINED
`RANGEIn RAM
`
`
`v
`
`302
`
`N
`
`HIT on
`RECD7RD ID
`
`I“
`
`CREATE HANDHELD TAG
`
`SET EXCLUSIVE an m
`HANDHELD TAG
`
`INTERRUPT GENERATED
`
`CONSTRUCT CREATE PACKET
`
`SEND PACKET T0 DESKTOP
`
`303
`
`310
`
`31 1
`
`312
`
`314
`
`CLEAR EXCLUSIVE BIT
`IN HANDHELD TAG
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`DESKTOP
`ACKNOWLEDGMENT
`PACKET
`RECEIVED
`
`Y
`
`
`
`318
`
`320
`
`
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 26, 1999
`
`Sheet 11 of 25
`
`5,974,238
`
`324
`
`HTD CREATE DESKTOP
`
`IVE
`REC
`CREATE PACKET
`?
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`SYNCHRONIZER <
`
`WAKE UP DATA
`
`326
`
`328
`
`PARSE CREATE PACKET TO
`EXTRACT HANDHELD RECORD ID
`81 FIELD INDICES
`
`330
`
`332
`
`334
`
`336
`
`337
`
`338
`
`CREATE DESKTOP TAG
`
`SET EXCLUSIVE BIT
`IN DESKTOP TAG
`
`ACCESS PIM
`APPLICATION DATA SET
`& ADD NEW ENTRY
`
`UPDATE DESKTOP TAG
`SIGNATURE
`(SIG)
`
`CLEAR EXCLUSIVE BIT
`IN DESKTOP TAG
`
`SEND ACKNOWLEDGMENT
`PACKAGE TO HANDHELD
`
`EXIT
`
`
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 26, 1999
`
`Sheet 12 of 25
`
`5,974,238
`
`
`
`HTD MODIFY HANDHELD
`
`339
`
`
`
`
`
`
`340
`
`N
`
`
`
`WRITE TO
`PREDETERMINED
`RANGE IN RAM
`
`?
`
`WRITE TO RAM
`
`
`
`v
`
`34
`
`HIT on
`necqfnsu
`‘Y
`
`344
`
`
`
`HIT RECORD
`MARKED FOR
`SHARING
`
`Y
`
`SET HANDHELD
`MODIFIED BIT
`
`CONSTRUCT OR
`MODIFY PACKET
`
`350
`
`352
`
`354
`
`SEND MODIFY PACKET
`TO DESKTOP
`
`358
`
`
`
`SLEEP
`
`360
`
`FIG. 10
`
`
`
`
`
`DESK
`
`ACKNOWLEDGMENT
`‘CKET RECEIVE
`?
`
`Y
`
`CONSTRUCT UPDATE
`PACKET
`
`361
`
`IIMHMIIEI
`
`
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 26, 1999
`
`Sheet 13 of 25
`
`5,974,238
`
`
`
`HTD MODIFY DESKTOP
`
`
`
`RECEIVE
`MODIFY
`PACKET
`
`?
`
`364
`
`s|_EEP
`
`Y
`
`366
`
`WAKE up DATA
`svmcnnomzen
`
`368
`
`PARSE MODIFY PACKET T0
`EXTRACT HID 23. FIELD INDICES
`
`370
`
`N
`
`MATCH
`DETECTED on
`HID
`:2
`
`
`
`
`
`EXTRACT
`CORRESPONDING DID
`
`SET DESKTOP TAG
`MODIFY BIT
`
`SEND ACKNOWLEDGMENT
`PACKET TO HANDHELD
`
`
`
`
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 26, 1999
`
`Sheet 14 of 25
`
`5,974,238
`
`HTD UPDATE HANDHELD
`
`378
`
`380
`
`CDNSTRUCT
`UPDATE PACKET
`
`SEND UPDATE PACKET
`T0 DESKTDP
`
`384
`
`DESKTDP
`ACKNOWLEDGMENT
`PACKET
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`RECE?|VED
`
`Y
`
`386
`
`MODIFY an
`
`FIG. 12
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 26, 1999
`
`Sheet 15 of 25
`
`5,974,238
`
`HTD UPDATE DESKTOP
`
`
`
`
`UPD
`392
`
`PACKET
`RECI_E?|VED
`
`
`
`396
`
`
`
`
`
`PARSE UPDATE PACKET
`TD EXTRACT RECORD ID
`& FIELD INDICES
`
`
`
`FIND
`MATCH ON HID IN
`DESKTIIJP TAG
`
`
`
`
`
`
`ACCESS PIM
`APPLICATION DATA SET
`8: PERFORM UPDATE
`
`
`
`
`UPDATE DESKTOP TAG
`SIGNATURE
`ISIGI
`
`
`
`SEND ACKNOWLEDGMENT
`PACKET TO HANDHELD
`DEVICE
`
`
`
`
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 26, 1999
`
`Sheet 16 of 25
`
`5,974,238
`
`HTD INVALIDATE HANDHELD
`
`
`
`
`
`WRITE TO RAM
`
`
`
`40
`
`9
`
`
`
`410
`
`WRITE
`
`TO RAM WITHIN
`
`PROGRAMMED
`
`RANGE
`
`
`HIT ON
`RECORD ID
`?
`
`Y
`
`RECORD ID
`MARKED FOR
`SHARING
`
`
`
`Y
`
`SET HANDHELD TAG
`DELETE 8| MODIFY BITS
`
`
`
`
`
`INTERRUPT HANDHELD
`PROCESSOR
`
`CONSTRUCT
`INVALIDATE PACKET
`
`SEND INVALIDATE
`PACKET TO DESKTOP
`
`
`
`RECEIVE
`ACKNOWLEDGE
`PACKET TO
`HANDIHELO
`Y
`
`CLEAR HANDHELD
`TAG MODIFY BIT
`
`
`
`FIG. 14
`
`
`
`
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 26, 1999
`
`Sheet 17 of 25
`
`5,974,238
`
`
`
`HTD INVALIDATE DESKTOP
`
` RECEIVE
`INVALIDATE
`PACKET
`?
`
`
`
`Y
`
`PARSE INVALIDATE PACKET
`TO EXTRACT RECORD ID
`AND FIELD INDICES
`
`EXTRACT MATCH IN
`DESKTOP TAG AND DID
`
`SET DESKTOP TAG
`MODIFY BIT
`
`ACCESS PIM
`APPLICATION DATA SET
`AND PERFORM DELETION
`
`SET DESKTOP TAG
`DELETED BIT
`
`CLEAR DESKTOP TAG
`MODIFY BIT
`
`SEND ACKNOWLEDGMENT
`PACKET TO HANDHELD
`
`EXIT
`
`432
`
`434
`
`436
`
`438
`
`44
`
`0
`
`442
`
`446
`
`448
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 26, 1999
`
`Sheet 18 of 25
`
`5,974,238
`
`DTH CREATE DESKTOP
`
`450
`
`
`
`
`
`NEW
`RECORD IN PIM
`DATA’ SET
`
`
`
`Y
`
`
`
`CREATE DESKTOP TAG
`ID & SET MODIFIED BIT
`
`
`
`
`
`
`CONSTRUCT
`CREATE PACKET
`
`SEND CREATE PACKET
`TO HANDHELD
`
`
`
`RECEIVE
`ACKNOWLEDGE
`PACKET FROM
`HANDHELD
`‘.7
`
`Y
`
`ADD HANDHELD ID TO
`DESKTOP TAG
`
`CLEAR DESKTOP
`MODIFIED BIT
`
`
`
`
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 26, 1999
`
`Sheet 19 of 25
`
`5,974,238
`
`472
`
`DTH HANDHELD CREATE
`
`
`
`Y
`
`RECEIVE
`CREATE
`PACKET
`?
`
`PARSE CREATE PACKET TD
`EXTRACT RECDRD ID
`AND FIELD INDICES
`
`ADD PIM DATA TD HANDHELD
`
`CREATE HANDHELD TAG
`USING CDRRESPDNDING HID
`
`SEND ACKNOWLEDGE
`PACKET TD DESKTDP
`WITH HID
`
`474
`
`476
`
`4
`
`78
`
`480
`
`FIG. 17
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 26, 1999
`
`Sheet 20 of 25
`
`5,974,238
`
`
`
`
`482
`
`SIGNATUR
`DIFFERENCE FDR
`RECSRD
`
`
`
`DTH DESKTOP MDDIFY
`
`
`
`SLEEP
`
`Y
`
`SET DESKTOP TAG
`MODIFIED BIT
`
`CDNSTRUCT
`MDDIFY PACKET
`
`SEND MDDIFY PACKET
`TD HANDHELD
`
`
`
`RECEIVE
`ACKNOWLEDGMENT
`PACKET FRDM
`HAND’HELD
`
`Y
`
`CDNSTRU CT
`
`UPDATE PACKET
`
`
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 26, 1999
`
`Sheet 21 of 25
`
`5,974,238
`
`
`
`DTH HANDHELD MODIFY
`
`
`RECEIVE
`MODIFY
`PAC?KET
`
`
`498
`
`suggp
`
`Y
`
`500
`
`PARSE MDDIFY PACKET
`TO EXTRACT RECORD ID
`AND FIELD INDICES
`
`502
`
`
` HANDHELD
`TAG MATCHES
`
`AN?H|D
`
`
`
`Y
`
`SET HANDHELD TAG
`MODIFIED BIT
`
`SEND ACKNOWLEDGMENT
`PACKET TO DESKTOP
`
`
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 26, 1999
`
`Sheet 22 of 25
`
`5,974,238
`
`
`
`
`
`DTH UPDATE DESKTOP
`
`CONSTRUCT UPDATE PACKET
`& SEND TO HANDHELD
`
` 510
`
`
`
`
`
`RECEIVE
`ACKNOWLEDGE
`PACKET
`?
`
`Y
`
`516
`
`CLEAR DESKTOP TAG
`MODIFIED BIT
`
`
`
` 514
`
`
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 26, 1999
`
`Sheet 23 of 25
`
`5,974,238
`
`
`
`DTH UPDATE HANDHELD
`
`
` RECEIVE
`PAC7KET -
`UPDATE
`
`
`suggp
`
`522
`
`Y
`
`524
`
`PARSE UPDATE PACKET
`TD EXTRACT RECORD ID
`AND FIELD INDICES
`
`EXTRACT MATCHING
`HANDHELD TAG AND
`CORRESPONDING HID
`
`ACCESS HANDHELD PIM
`APPLICATION DATA AND
`PERFORM UPDATE
`
`CLEAR HANDHELD TAG
`MDDIFY BIT
`
`SEND ACKNOWLEDGE
`PACKET TD DESKTOP
`
`EXIT
`
`526
`
`528
`
`530
`
`532
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 26, 1999
`
`Sheet 24 of 25
`
`5,974,238
`
`DTH INVALIDATE DESKTDP
`
`
`
`CHECK
`EXISTENCE OF
`
`REC"DRD
`
`SET DESKTDP TAG MODIFY
`AND DELETED BITS
`
`
`
`
`?
`
`RECEIVE
`ACKNOWLEDGE
`PACKET
`
`
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 26, 1999
`
`Sheet 25 of 25
`
`5,974,238
`
`DTH DELETE HANDHELD
`
`
` ‘aw —E
`PAC?KET
`
`Y
`
`SLEEP
`
`554
`
`PARSE DELETE PACKET
`TO EXTRACT RECORD ID
`AND FIELD INDICES
`
`5
`
`56
`
`5
`
`58
`
`SET HANDHELD DELETED BIT
`
`SEND ACKNOWLEDGE
`PACKET TO DESKTOP
`
`FIG. 23
`
`
`
`

`
`5,974,238
`
`1
`AUTOMATIC DATA SYNCHRONIZATION
`BETWEEN A HANDHELD AND A HOST
`COMPUTER USING PSEUDO CACHE
`INCLUDING TAGS AND LOGICAL DATA
`ELEMENTS
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`1. Field of the Invention
`
`The invention relates to portable computing, and more
`specifically to the sharing of data between handheld com-
`puter systems and desktop and/or portable computer sys-
`tems.
`
`2. Description of the Related Art
`The rapid acceptance of computer technology by corpo-
`rations as well as consumers has led to the widespread use
`of computers. Further abetting this process is the continual
`reduction in size and cost of personal computers. Originally,
`personal computers were large items best suited for floor
`standing or desktop use. Eventually, they became smaller so
`that desktop use became the standard. Improvements in
`processor, memory and data storage capabilities have
`resulted in light weight, powerful mobile computers such as
`portables, luggables, laptops, notebooks, palm top and per-
`sonal digital assistants. These computers can provide suffi-
`cient processing capability for audio visual applications,
`such as computer aided design, three dimensional animation,
`and multimedia presentation, even when used at remote
`locations.
`
`As the use of personal computers increased, so did the
`desire to use computers remotely to support and increase the
`efficiency of mobile users. However, in most cases, note-
`book computers were effectively just small versions of
`full-function desktop computers and so were relatively
`expensive. Further,
`they were also relatively heavy and
`conspicuous to use. The unfavorable attributes of size,
`expense, and operating period limited the usefulness of
`notebook computers in certain applications, namely those
`that required on-the-spot data proessing with inconspicuous
`and transparent computing capability.
`One variant of small factor notebook computers is
`referred to as notepad or touchpad computers. These com-
`puters were essentially notebook computers with the key-
`board removed and a digitizer applied to the display so that
`a pen or other suitable pointing devices could be used as an
`input device. The use of a pen freed up one aspect of the
`computer size requirement, namely the requirement for
`keyboards of certain given dimensions. However, because
`the handwriting recognizers in these palmtop or handheld
`computers were not always 100% accurate, these pen-based
`notepad computers had to be geared to specific applications
`which utilized special hardware or operating programs such
`as inventory control and others where simple check-offs
`could be utilized or somewhat constrained input patterns
`could be entered. These limitations hampered the usage of
`the palmtops to only specific applications. Further, most of
`the original notepad units were based directly on a notebook
`computer form factor and as such came in sizes of approxi-
`mately 81/z><l1 inches and 1 inch thick, and weighed 5 to 6
`pounds. Thus, these notepad units were quite heavy and
`inconvenient, in that they could not be carried for extended
`periods. Further, the performance of these portable devices
`was dramatically reduced to achieve the necessary minimum
`power consumption.
`Recently, a new class of portable computers called palm-
`top or handheld 11 nits has emerged. Some of these 11nits offer
`very limited functionality and are typically restricted to
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`2
`being personal organizers. These watered-down computers
`are not compatible with programs on larger desktop and
`notebook computers, but rely on proprietary operating sys-
`tems and programs to ensure small memory footprint and
`quick response time, even on low-power microprocessors.
`These restrictions limited the usefulness of the personal
`organizers, as they operate stand alone and cannot readily
`share data with other computers. Additionally, some units
`were also developed which did offer common functionality
`with the desktop computers, but were generally keyboard
`based and the use of tiny keyboards made them relatively
`unusable to a large segment of the population. Exemplary
`palmtop or handheld devices with miniature keyboards
`include the HP-ZOOLX, available from Hewlett-Packard
`Corporation. Furthermore, palmtop or handheld devices
`with pen interfaces have appeared. These devices include the
`Newton and the Pilot available from Apple Computer Cor-
`poration and U.S. Robotics Corporation,
`respectively.
`Further, palmtop computers with both a keyboard and a pen
`have also appeared, including the Zaurns ZR-5700/5800,
`available from Sharp Corporation.
`To balance between the ease of reading and editing files
`on a desktop computer and the convenience of collecting
`information and operating the palmtop or handheld when the
`user travelled, the user typically purchased both the desktop
`computer and the palmtop computer. The two platforms
`were linked via one or more communication paths, including
`paths through a modem, a parallel port, a serial port, or a
`cradle assembly connected to the host computer. Further,
`various wireless communication techniques, such as radio or
`infrared communication may be used. In the event that a
`cradle was used, when the handheld computer was in the
`cradle and actively connected to the host computer,
`the
`handheld computer typically entered a mode to update data
`in the host computer and itself.
`A major problem exists in the current methods of syn-
`chronizing data between the desktop computer and the
`palmtop or handheld computer. For instance, certain data
`such as calendar information, appointment information, and
`notes, among others, would generally be kept on a desktop
`computer which may be networked so that other worksta-
`tions may remotely update the calendar information,
`appointment information, and notes. The same information
`was also kept on the palmtop or handheld computer for the
`user to review and update when mobile. However, if the user
`was traveling and information was entered on the desktop
`computer or on a remote station on a network server
`machine while the user was not at his or her oflice, or if the
`user entered information on the local version of the data in
`
`the information con-
`the palmtop or handheld computer,
`tained in the desktop computer and the palmtop or handheld
`computer would become non-coherent, leading to undesir-
`able problems such as meeting conflicts and miscommuni-
`cations.
`
`The prior resolutions of the data synchronization problem
`were generally very time consuming and tedious and there-
`fore reduced the effectiveness of the palmtop/desktop com-
`bination. One solution was to limit the accessibility of files
`such that only files physically residing with the user were the
`master. However,
`this solution dictated that no changes
`could be made to the other system without the danger of
`losing those changes. Thus, while the palmtop/desktop com-
`bination of computers existed, the use of the combination
`was not popular due to the requirement that the user had to
`manually synchronize the data on both platforms. Therefore,
`the problem of synchronization limited the potential of the
`palmtop or handheld computer market.
`
`

`
`5,974,238
`
`3
`One problem encountered by the current generation of
`handheld devices and their add-on connectivity solutions is
`that the connectivity solutions rely on batch mode rather
`than real-time oriented approaches to data coherency.
`Because the desktop and the handheld device typically
`became disconnected and incommunicado when the user
`
`the data synchronization problem becomes
`goes mobile,
`intractable. During the mobile period,
`the creation,
`the
`deletion and the modification of data causes incoherency
`that often results in conflicts reconcilable only through
`manual intervention by the user. These conflicts would arise
`because the desktop and handheld device were unable to
`communicate changes in their data until they were recon-
`nected using a serial, parallel or modem connection.
`Because data coherency is a real time problem, a real time
`solution that avoids data conflicts by shortening the time
`between synchronization events is needed. Therefore, it is
`desirable to have a small handheld computer system capable
`of operating certain personal
`information type software,
`such as calendars, telephone directories and to do lists, as
`well as simplified versions of desktop application software,
`and sharing data with a desktop computer, with all the data
`utilized by all of the programs being dynamically synchro-
`nized to alleviate the data coherency problem.
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`An apparatus is disclosed for performing dynamic syn-
`chronization between data stored in a handheld computer
`and a host computer, each having a plurality of data sets
`including at
`least one common data set, each computer
`having a shared copy of the common data set. The handheld
`computer has a processor, a communication port, and a data
`synchronization engine. The data synchronization engine
`exists on both the handheld and host computer and has a
`pseudo-cache and one or more tags connected to the pseudo-
`cache which can be implemented in either hardware or
`software. Data is synchronized when a write to system
`memory results in the creation, modification or deletion of
`data on either the handheld or host computer. By strict
`adherence to a set of protocols, data coherency is achieved
`because the system always knows who owns the data, who
`has a copy of the data, and who has modified the data. The
`data synchronization engine resolves any differences in the
`shared data set and facilitates the storage of the shared data
`set in the host computer and in the handheld computer. Data
`synchronization may occur using either wireless or wireline
`communications transports. In the wireless case the trans-
`ports could be two-way paging systems, cellular networks
`and wireless LANS such as ARDIS and RAM, as well as
`infrared-based LANs. In the wireline case the communica-
`tion transports could be serial, parallel, POTs and LANs and
`WANs.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`A better understanding of the present invention can be
`obtained when the following detailed description of the
`preferred embodiment is considered in conjunction with the
`following drawings, in which:
`FIGS. 1A and 1B are perspective views of a handheld
`computer according to the present invention;
`FIG. 1C is a perspective View of an embodiment having
`both pen and keyboard input devices of the handheld com-
`puter of the present invention;
`FIG. 1D is a perspective view of the handheld computer
`of FIGS 1A and 1B communicating wirelessly with a host
`computer;
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`4
`FIG. IE is a perspective view of the handheld computer
`of FIGS 1A and 1B communicating with a host computer via
`Internet;
`FIG. 1F is a perspective view of the handheld computer
`of FIGS. 1A and 1B located in a cradle and directly
`connected to a host computer;
`FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective View of the internal
`components of the handheld computer of FIGS 1A and 1B;
`FIG. 3 is a top layout view of the components of FIG. 2
`without the display;
`FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the handheld computer
`of FIGS 1A and 1B;
`FIG. 5 is a state machine of the data synchronizing states
`of the data synchronization engine executing on the hand-
`held computer of FIG. 4;
`FIG. 6A is a diagram of the data synchronization modules
`and data structure stored in the read only memory and
`random access memory present in the desktop computer
`system of FIGS. 1D—1F;
`FIG. 6B is a diagram of the data synchronization modules
`and data structure stored in the read only memory and
`random access memory present in the handheld computer
`system of FIG. 4;
`FIG. 7 is a diagram of the data structure of tags used by
`FIGS. 6A and 6B;
`FIG. 8 is a flow chart of the process of the handheld to
`desktop create process executing on the handheld computer
`of FIG. 4;
`FIG. 9 is a flow chart of the process of the handheld to
`desktop create process executing on the desktop computer of
`FIGS 1C—1F;
`FIG. 10 is a flow chart of the process of the handheld to
`desktop modify process executing on the handheld computer
`of FIG. 4;
`FIG. 11 is a flow chart of the process of the handheld to
`desktop modify process executing on the desktop computer
`of FIGS 1C—1F;
`FIG. 12 is a flow chart of the process of the handheld to
`desktop update process executing on the handheld computer
`of FIG. 4;
`FIG. 13 is a fiow chart of the process of the handheld to
`desktop update process executing on the desktop computer
`of FIGS 1C—1F;
`FIG. 14 is a flow chart of the process of the handheld to
`desktop invalidate process executing on the handheld com-
`puter of FIG. 4;
`FIG. 15 is a flow chart of the process of the handheld to
`desktop invalidate process executing on the desktop com-
`puter of FIGS. 1C—1F;
`FIG. 16 is a flow chart of the process of the desktop to
`handheld create process executing on the desktop computer
`of FIGS 1C—1F;
`FIG. 17 is a flow chart of the process of the desktop to
`handheld create process executing on the handheld computer
`of FIG. 4;
`FIG. 18 is a flow chart of the process of the desktop to
`handheld modify process executing on the desktop computer
`of FIGS 1C—1F;
`FIG. 19 is a flow chart of the process of the desktop to
`handheld modify process executing on the handheld com-
`puter of FIG. 4;
`FIG. 20 is a flow chart of the process of the desktop to
`handheld update process executing on the desktop computer
`of FIGS. 1C—1F;
`
`

`
`5,974,238
`
`5
`FIG. 21 is a flow chart of the process of the desktop to
`handheld update process executing on the handheld com-
`p11ter of FIG. 4;
`FIG. 22 is a flow chart of the process of the desktop to
`handheld invalidate process executing on the desktop com-
`puter of FIGS 1C—1F; and
`FIG. 23 is a flow chart of the process of the desktop to
`handheld invalidate process executing on the handheld com-
`puter of FIG. 4.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
`
`Referring now to FIGS. 1A and 1B, two alternate views
`of a handheld computer, generally referred to by the letter H,
`according to the present invention are shown. The handheld
`computer H includes an outer housing 20 in which the
`components are contained. The top 22 of the housing 20
`preferably contains a rectangular opening 24 to allow vis-
`ibility of an LCD panel display 26 or other suitable video
`display which also contains a digitizer 110 FIG. 4) and a
`backlight 112. Apen 28 is used to interface with the digitizer
`110 and the display 26 to provide input. Preferably on the
`left side 30 of the housing 20 a hole 32 is present to allow
`the insertion of an AC adapter or DC power source providing
`battery charging energy to the computer H. At a bottom end
`34 of the housing 20 is a hinged door 36 which when pivoted
`down provides access to a cage 38 containing slots for
`receiving two PCMCIA cards 40 and for providing access to
`a battery cartridge 42 in which rechargeable batteries such as
`Ni-Cads or Nr s or conventional alkaline batteries are
`located. Preferably AA size batteries are utilized, though a
`camcorder or other standard, small battery could be utilized
`with a slight component rearrangement as necessary.
`Alternatively, the door 36 could be slidably engaged with the
`bottom end 34. The PCMCIA cards are readily interchange-
`able with the door open 36 and the battery cartridge 42 is
`readily removable to allow exchange of battery cartridges 42
`if desired.
`
`In FIG. 1B it is shown that a top 44 of the housing 20
`contains two receptacles 46 and 48. Preferably the receptacle
`46 is an RJ—11 type receptacle for receiving a telephone
`connection, while the receptacle 48 is a similar spring clip
`type receptacle for receiving a special adapter cable as will
`be described below. A right side 45 of the housing 20
`contains an opening 47 to allow an internal speaker 61 a
`port. Additionally, the right side 45 includes an opening 41
`for allowing access to a keyboard port 43. Preferably the
`handheld computer H is approximately 4 inches wide, 6
`inches tall and 1 inch thick.
`
`Turning now to FIG. 1C, another embodiment of the
`handheld computer H of the present invention is shown. The
`processing electronics as well as the display 26A is housed
`by a base B. The body B also houses an ON/OFF switch 21.
`The display 26A of FIG. 1C is preferably 3“><5“ in size, with
`a 480x240 pixel
`resolution.
`In FIG. 1C,
`the handheld
`computer H has pen input, as provided by the pen 28A, and
`a keyboard input, as provided by a keyboard 23. The
`keyboard 23 is preferably a QWERTY type keyboard which
`is connected to the processor via a keyboard cable 25.
`Further, the pen 28A has a pop-up housing 29 located on the
`keyboard 23 for accepting the pen 28A during periods where
`the handheld computer H is opened and ready for operation.
`Further,
`the handheld computer H has a receptacle 27
`located on the body B for accepting the pen 28A during
`periods of non-use. In such event,
`the pen 28A can be
`inserted into the receptacle 27 and the keyboard 23 can be
`
`6
`interlocked with the body B such that the handheld computer
`H can be shipped. In general, pens 28 and 28A, as well as
`displays 26 and 26A are interchangeable and the pen 28A
`may be referred to generically as the pen 28. Similarly, the
`display 26A may be referred to generically as the display 26.
`Preferably, the handheld computer H of FIG. 1C operates
`with a Pegasus operating system which is a kernel of the
`Windows 95 API set, available from Microsoft Corporation
`in Redmond, Wash.
`Although the embodiment of FIG. 1C shows the keyboard
`23 being separated from the body B during operation, the
`invention also contemplates that a clamshell design can be
`used where the keyboard and the display are integrated into
`one article, with the display hingedly connected to the body
`and keyboard and adapted to be opened as one piece.
`In FIG. 1D the handheld computer H is shown as being
`wirelessly connected to the host computer C via a wireless
`carrier. The wireless carrier may be based on the global
`system for mobile communications (GSM) standard, which
`is a digital cellular standard or other cellular technologies
`such as circuit switches or CDPD. Alternatively, the wireless
`carrier may be based on a two-way paging standard such as
`the personal Air Communications Technology (pACT).
`pACT is a narrowband, 900 Mz range personal communi-
`cations system (PCS) available from PCSI—Cirrus Logic
`Inc. and AT&T Wireless Services Inc. Further, a ReFLEX
`paging protocol, currently in use with SkyTel—Mtel, Inc.,
`from Motorola Inc. of Schaumburg, Ill. can be used as well.
`The present invention contemplates that equivalent wire-
`less transmissions include all forms of radio frequency as
`well as infrared communication as discussed in the Infra-
`
`Red Data Association (IRDA) standard. The IRDA specifi-
`cations provide guidelines for link access, link management
`and for the physical transfer of data bits. The link access
`mechanism provides guidelines for the software which looks
`for other machines to connect or to sniff, to discover other
`machines, to resolve addressing conflicts, and to initiate a
`connection, to transfer data, and to cleanly disconnect. The
`link access standard specifies a frame and byte structure of
`the infrared packets as well as the error detection method-
`ology for the infrared communication. The IRDA specifica-
`tions for operating distance, viewing angle, optical power,
`data read, and noise immunity enable physical interconnec-
`tivity between various brands and type of equipment, such
`as the desktop computer C and the handheld computer H.
`Turning now to FIG. 1E, another communication link
`between the desktop computer C and the handheld computer
`H is shown. FIG. 1E shows the wireline technology—
`Internet combination to augment
`the wireless networks
`which may lack a ubiquitous infrastructure. FIG. IE is
`similar to FIG. 1D, with the addition that an Internet link is
`interposed between the desktop computer C and the wireless
`carrier. In FIG. 1E, the wireless carrier communicates with
`an Internet service provider via a suitable protocol such as
`TCP/IP protocol. Originally developed as a reliable com-
`puter network for connecting research institutions and mili-
`tary sites, the Internet has become the world’s most widely
`used computing network, where information is quickly and
`easily shared. Typically, data transmitted via the Internet via
`the World Wide Web still resembles that of the wireless
`
`packets, as the typical Web message size is small. Thus, in
`addition to wireless carriers, the handheld computer of the
`present invention can communicate with the desktop com-
`puter C via land lines, via wireless lines, or other means,
`including the Internet and variants thereo,
`including
`“intranets”, or intra-corporation networks. These communi-
`cation media meld computing power with network and
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`

`
`5,974,238
`
`7
`wireless access, offering users significant leaps in produc-
`tivity and accessibility.
`In FIG. 1F the handheld computer H is shown installed in
`a cradle 49, which is directly connected to the host computer
`C. The cradle 49 connection and operation are known in the
`art. Exemplary cradle/handheld operation is disclosed in
`U.S. patent applicatio

This document is available on Docket Alarm but you must sign up to view it.


Or .

Accessing this document will incur an additional charge of $.

After purchase, you can access this document again without charge.

Accept $ Charge
throbber

Still Working On It

This document is taking longer than usual to download. This can happen if we need to contact the court directly to obtain the document and their servers are running slowly.

Give it another minute or two to complete, and then try the refresh button.

throbber

A few More Minutes ... Still Working

It can take up to 5 minutes for us to download a document if the court servers are running slowly.

Thank you for your continued patience.

This document could not be displayed.

We could not find this document within its docket. Please go back to the docket page and check the link. If that does not work, go back to the docket and refresh it to pull the newest information.

Your account does not support viewing this document.

You need a Paid Account to view this document. Click here to change your account type.

Your account does not support viewing this document.

Set your membership status to view this document.

With a Docket Alarm membership, you'll get a whole lot more, including:

  • Up-to-date information for this case.
  • Email alerts whenever there is an update.
  • Full text search for other cases.
  • Get email alerts whenever a new case matches your search.

Become a Member

One Moment Please

The filing “” is large (MB) and is being downloaded.

Please refresh this page in a few minutes to see if the filing has been downloaded. The filing will also be emailed to you when the download completes.

Your document is on its way!

If you do not receive the document in five minutes, contact support at support@docketalarm.com.

Sealed Document

We are unable to display this document, it may be under a court ordered seal.

If you have proper credentials to access the file, you may proceed directly to the court's system using your government issued username and password.


Access Government Site

We are redirecting you
to a mobile optimized page.





Document Unreadable or Corrupt

Refresh this Document
Go to the Docket

We are unable to display this document.

Refresh this Document
Go to the Docket