(19) United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2003/0088.633 A1
`Chiu et al.
`(43) Pub. Date:
`May 8, 2003
`
`US 20030088.633A1
`
`(54) SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR REMOTELY
`CONTROLLING MOBILE
`COMMUNICATION DEVICES
`(76) Inventors: Denny K. Chiu, Kitchener (CA);
`James A. Godfrey, Waterloo (CA);
`Wen Gao, Waterloo (CA)
`
`Correspondence Address:
`JOSEPH M. SAUER
`JONES DAY REAVIS & POGUE
`NORTH POINT,901 LAKESIDEAVENUE
`CLEVELAND, OH 44114 (US)
`
`(21) Appl. No.:
`
`10/282,289
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Oct. 28, 2002
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`(60) Provisional application No. 60/330,652, filed on Oct.
`26, 2001.
`
`Publication Classification
`
`... G06F 15/16
`(51) Int. CI.7.
`(52) U.S. Cl. .............................................................. 709/206
`
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`A System for remotely controlling mobile communication
`devices includes a redirection System, a remote control
`System and a mobile data communication device. The redi
`rection System detects a triggering event at a host System and
`in response to the triggering event continuously redirects
`data items from the host system to a wireless network. The
`mobile data communication device receives data items from
`the wireleSS network and executes a plurality of device
`operations. The remote control System receives control
`information from a user interface and transmits the control
`information through the redirection System to the wireleSS
`network. The control information is received and executed
`by the mobile data communication device to remotely
`control one or more of the device operations. Methods of
`controlling the operation of mobile data communication
`devices are also disclosed.
`
`28
`
`
`
`2B
`
`
`
`LOCAL AREA NETWORK
`(LAN)
`
`
`
`10B
`
`SERVER
`COMPUTER
`REDIRECTION SERVER
`SOFTWARE
`
`INTERNET NETWORK
`
`
`
`WIRELESS
`GATEWAY
`
`-
`S. DEVICE
`22
`
`24
`
`20
`
`EX-1010
`US Patent 10,789,393
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication May 8, 2003 Sheet 1 of 13
`
`US 2003/0088.633 A1
`
`
`
`A
`
`28
`
`LOCAL AREANETWORK
`(LAN)
`4
`
`A
`12
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication May 8, 2003 Sheet 2 of 13
`
`US 2003/0088.633 A1
`
`
`
`28
`I'll
`
`
`
`
`
`4
`
`LOCAL AREA NETWORK
`(LAN)
`
`A
`
`s'
`
`SERVER
`COMPUTER
`REDIRECTION SERVER
`SOFTWARE w
`i
`i
`
`10B
`
`C
`
`as
`
`A
`y
`
`30
`
`-----. FAX OR WOICE
`MACHINE
`
`Ers A 32
`
`20
`
`- -
`
`- - MOBILE
`
`DEVICE
`s 24
`
`Fig. 2
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication May 8, 2003 Sheet 3 of 13
`
`US 2003/0088.633 A1
`
`
`
`LOCAL AREA NETWORK (LAN)
`
`4
`
`TCP/IP
`SUB-SYSTEM
`
`S2
`
`NS2 E-MAIL
`PRIMARY STORE
`SUB-SYSTEM
`
`ALTERNATE LINK
`
`MAN LINK
`
`REDIRECTOR
`PROGRAM
`
`SETUP EVENTS
`TRIGGER
`
`SETUP EVENTS
`TRIGGER
`
`SCREEN SAVER
`SUB-SYSTEM
`
`KEYBOARD
`SUB-SYSTEM
`
`OESKTOP COMPUTER
`
`Fig. 3
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication May 8, 2003 Sheet 4 of 13
`
`US 2003/0088.633 A1
`
`REDIRECTION
`SOFTWARE
`STARTED
`
`
`
`50
`
`INST ALL TRIGGER
`POINTS IN
`SYSTEM
`
`
`
`5
`/ 4
`MESSAGE AND
`SIGNALS
`
`WAIT FOR
`MESSAGES AND
`SIGNALS
`
`
`
`
`
`FORWARD
`TO USER
`
`AOD OUTER
`ENVELOPE
`
`IS
`TRIGGER
`FIRED FLAG
`ON ?
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`60
`
`SET TRIGGER
`FIRED FLAG
`
`TRIGGER
`SIGNAL
`
`SYSTEM
`ALARM
`
`62
`
`64
`
`66
`
`
`
`OTHER
`EVENTS TO BE
`REDIRECTE
`
`NO
`
`Fig. 4
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication May 8, 2003 Sheet 5 of 13
`
`US 2003/0088.633 A1
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`-84
`MESSAGE AND
`SIGNALS
`
`
`
`
`
`80
`MOBILE
`SOFTWARE
`STARTED
`
`WAIT FOR
`MESSAGES AND
`SIGNALS
`
`88
`COMPOSE AND
`SEND TO DESKTOP
`
`
`
`86
`
`USER SIGNAL
`TO START
`REDIRSCT9)
`
`
`
`
`
`98
`PRESENT
`TO USER
`
`MESSAGE
`FROM
`DESKTOP
`
`90
`NO
`
`MESSAGE
`
`Rectly
`
`REMOVE
`OUTER
`ENVELOPE
`
`SET DESK TOP
`REDIRECTION
`FLAG ON
`
`100
`
`MESSAGE
`TO SEN)
`
`SENO TO
`DESTINATION
`ADDRESS
`
`
`
`
`
`IS USER
`USING DESKTOP
`SOFTWARE
`
`IS THIS A
`MESSAGE
`REPLY
`
`
`
`
`
`PUT OUTER ENVELOPE
`ON MESSAGE AND
`ADDRESS TO DESKTOP
`
`IS DESK TOP
`REDIRECTION
`FLAG ON ?
`
`O2
`
`08
`
`Fig. 5
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`May 8, 2003 Sheet 6 of 13
`
`US 2003/0088.633 A1
`
`N
`CN
`
`Keme?e5)
`
`0 || 9
`
`Firewall
`
`Interface / Gateway Protocol
`(GP) Client
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`May 8, 2003 Sheet 7 of 13
`
`US 2003/0088.633 A1
`
`0
`
`Interface / Gateway Protocol
`
`L 'OIH
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`May 8, 2003 Sheet 8 of 13
`
`US 2003/0088.633 A1
`
`1- Firewall
`
`Interface/
`GP Client
`
`Interface? Interface/
`
`--FireWall
`
`8 "OIH
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication May 8, 2003 Sheet 9 of 13
`
`US 2003/0088.633 A1
`
`
`
`Exchange
`Software
`
`Messaging
`Server
`(MAPI)
`
`Agent"Site" Computer
`Agent Software
`
`Intra-Computer
`Messaging (MAPI)
`
`Messaging
`Client
`(MAPI)
`
`interface?
`Client
`
`FIG. 9
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`-HFirewall
`
`80 || ||
`
`Y
`
`1.
`1r
`
`w
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication May 8, 2003 Sheet 11 of 13 US 2003/0088.633 A1
`
`
`
`C D
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Enterprise
`User Admin
`Service
`
`
`
`Enterprise
`User Admin
`Client
`12O2
`
`Enterprise
`Server/
`Remote Control
`System
`11 O2
`
`FIG 11
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`May 8, 2003 Sheet 12 of 13
`
`US 2003/0088.633 A1
`
`--Firewall
`
`Interface/
`GP Client
`
`cy
`
`Interface? Interface?
`
`-HFirewal
`
`/Client
`
`d
`
`Interface Q
`/Client
`2
`
`/Client
`
`MAP
`
`MAP
`
`Z I 'OH +
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication May 8, 2003 Sheet 13 of 13
`
`US 2003/0088.633 A1
`
`1402
`
`Generate
`Control
`Message
`1404
`
`Transmit
`Control
`Message
`1406
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Receive
`Control
`Message
`
`Execute
`Command
`
`FIG. 13
`
`

`

`US 2003/0O88633 A1
`
`May 8, 2003
`
`SYSTEMAND METHOD FOR REMOTELY
`CONTROLLING MOBILE COMMUNICATION
`DEVICES
`
`CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATION
`0001. This application claims priority from U.S. Provi
`sional Application S/ No. 60/330,652, filed on Oct. 26, 2001.
`The complete disclosure of this provisional application,
`including drawings, is hereby incorporated into this appli
`cation by reference.
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`0002 The present invention is directed toward the field of
`mobile communications. In particular, the System and
`method of the present invention provide for remote control
`of mobile communication devices. The hand-held mobile
`communication devices may be associated with an event
`driven redirection computer program ("redirector program”)
`operating at a host System, which, upon Sensing a particular
`user-defined event has occurred, redirects user-Selected data
`items from the host System to the user's mobile communi
`cation device. The mobile data communication device may
`be coupled to the host System via a wireleSS network and one
`or more landline networks.
`
`BACKGROUND
`0.003 Known systems and methods for replicating infor
`mation from a host System to a user's mobile data commu
`nication device are typically "synchronization Systems in
`which the user's data items are warehoused (or Stored) at the
`host System for an indefinite period of time and then
`transmitted in bulk only in response to a user request. In
`these types of Systems and methods, when replication of the
`warehoused data items to the mobile device is desired, the
`user typically places the mobile device in an interface cradle
`that is electrically connected to the host System via Some
`form of local, dedicated communication, Such as a Serial
`cable or an infrared or other type of wireless link. Software
`executing on the mobile data communication device then
`transmits commands via the local communications link to
`the host System to cause the host to begin transmitting the
`user's data items for Storage in a memory bank of the mobile
`device. In these Synchronization Schemes, the mobile unit
`“pulls' the warehoused information from the host system in
`a batch each time the user desires to replicate information
`between the two devices. Therefore, the two systems (host
`System and device) only maintain the same data items after
`a user-initiated command Sequence that causes the mobile
`device to download the data items from the host System.
`0004. A general problem with these synchronization sys
`tems is that the only time that the user data items are
`replicated between the host System and the mobile data
`communication device is when the user commands the
`mobile device to download or pull the user data from the
`host System. At Some later time a new message could be sent
`to the user, but the user would not receive that message until
`the next time the user fetches the user data items. Thus, a
`user may fail to respond to an emergency update or message
`because the user only periodically Synchronizes the System,
`Such as once per day. Other problems with these Systems
`include: (1) the amount of data to be reconciled between the
`
`host and the mobile device can become large if the user does
`not “synchronize” on a daily or hourly basis, leading to
`bandwidth difficulties, particularly when the mobile device
`is communicating via a wireleSS packet-Switched network;
`and (2) reconciling large amounts of data, as can accrue in
`these batch-mode Synchronization Systems, can require a
`great deal of communication between the host and the
`mobile device, thus leading to a more complex, costly and
`energy-inefficient System.
`0005. In order to address such disadvantages of pull
`based data item Synchronization Systems, the assignee of the
`instant application has developed a more automated, con
`tinuous, efficient and reliable System and method of ensuring
`that user data items are replicated at a user's mobile com
`munication device. User-Selected data items or certain por
`tions of the Selected data items Stored at a host System are
`continuously redirected or “pushed” to a user's mobile data
`communication device upon the occurrence of a user-de
`fined triggering event.
`0006. In such a system, a user's mobile communication
`device is configured for redirection Service provided by the
`host System, as well as for mobile communication Services
`provided by a communication network operator. Although a
`user may perceive Such device Services as a Single Service,
`redirection Services and communications Services are com
`monly provided by different entities. Even when the host
`System, device and redirection Service are provided for
`employee use in a corporate environment for example, a
`corporate information technology (IT) or like department
`can only control host System and redirection operations, and
`must normally interact with a communication network
`operator or communications Service provider if any type of
`control of device functions is required. When a corporate
`user forgets a device password that must be entered correctly
`in order to use the device for example, a new password can
`normally only be set by the network operator, not by the
`corporate IT department. Involvement of network operators
`or external Service providers may significantly complicate
`and thereby effectively preclude remote control of device
`operations by a corporate client or redirection or other
`device Service provider.
`
`SUMMARY
`0007. A system for remotely controlling mobile commu
`nication devices includes a redirection System, a remote
`control System and a mobile data communication device.
`The redirection System detects a triggering event at a host
`System and in response to the triggering event continuously
`redirects data items from the host System to a wireleSS
`network. The mobile data communication device receives
`data items from the wireleSS network and executes a plu
`rality of device operations. The remote control System
`receives control information from a user interface and
`transmits the control information through the redirection
`system to the wireless network. The control information is
`received and executed by the mobile data communication
`device to remotely control one or more of the device
`operations.
`0008 According to another embodiment of the invention,
`a method for controlling the operation of a mobile data
`communication device in a communication System, wherein
`the communication System includes a redirection System that
`
`

`

`US 2003/0O88633 A1
`
`May 8, 2003
`
`detects a triggering event at the host System and in response
`to the triggering event continuously redirects data items
`from the host system over a wireless network to the mobile
`data communication device, is also provided. The method
`comprises the Steps of configuring the mobile communica
`tion device to perform a plurality of operations, receiving an
`administrative command that identifies at least one operation
`of the mobile communication device, generating a control
`message corresponding to the administrative command,
`transmitting the control message through the redirection
`System to the wireleSS network, receiving the control mes
`Sage with the mobile data communication device, and in
`response to the control message, automatically executing the
`administrative command on the mobile data communication
`device to cause the mobile data communication device to
`perform the identified operation.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`0009 FIG. 1 is a system diagram showing the redirection
`of user data items from a user's desktop PC (host system) to
`the user's mobile data communication device,
`0.010
`FIG. 2 is a system diagram showing the redirection
`of user data items from a network server (host System) to the
`user's mobile data communication device;
`0.011
`FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the interaction
`of redirector software with other components of the host
`system in FIG. 1;
`0012 FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing the steps carried out
`by exemplary redirector Software operating at the host
`System;
`0013 FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing an example of steps
`that may be carried out by the mobile data communication
`device to interface with redirector Software as represented in
`FIG. 4, operating at the host system;
`0.014
`FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an example network
`Server-based redirection System;
`0.015
`FIG. 7 is a block diagram of an exemplary user
`administration System;
`0016 FIG. 8 is a block diagram of another exemplary
`network Server-based distributed redirection System;
`0017 FIG. 9 is a block diagram of an exemplary agent
`site;
`FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing another
`0.018
`example network Server-based redirection System;
`0.019
`FIG. 11 shows another exemplary user adminis
`tration System;
`0020 FIG. 12 is a block diagram of yet another network
`Server-based distributed redirection System; and
`0021 FIG. 13 is a flow chart showing a method of
`controlling operation of a mobile data communication
`device.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`0022. A host system is a computer where a redirection
`System or redirector Software is operating. The host System
`may be either a user's desktop PC, although, alternatively,
`the host System could be a network Server connected to the
`
`user's PC via a local-area network (“LAN)”, or could be any
`other System that is in communication with the user's
`desktop PC.
`0023 Instead of warehousing (or storing) the user's data
`items at the host System and then “synchronizing a mobile
`data communication device to data items Stored at the host
`System when the mobile device requests that Such items of
`information be communicated to it, Systems in which the
`present invention may be deployed preferably employ a
`"push’ paradigm that continuously packages and retransmits
`the user-Selected items of information to the mobile com
`munication device in response to a triggering event detected
`at the host System. WireleSS mobile data communications
`devices, especially those that can return a confirmation
`Signal to the host that the pushed data has been received are
`especially well Suited for this type of push paradigm. Due to
`the bandwidth limitations of wireless networks, redirection
`of only a portion of a user-Selected data item may be
`desirable, with the user given the option of then retrieving
`the entire data item (or Some other portion of the data item)
`from the host system.
`0024. A redirection system or redirector software pro
`gram operating at the host System enables the user to redirect
`or mirror certain user-selected data items (or parts of data
`items) from the host system to the user's mobile data
`communication device upon detecting that one or more
`user-defined triggering events has occurred. Also operating
`at the host System are various Sub-Systems that may be
`configured to create triggering events, Such as a Screen Saver
`Sub-System or a keyboard Sub-System, as well as Sub
`Systems for repackaging the user's data items for transparent
`delivery to the mobile data device, Such as a Transmission
`Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (“TCP/IP) sub-system
`or one or more E-Mail sub-systems. Other sub-systems for
`creating triggering events and repackaging the user's data
`items could also be present at the host System. The host
`System also includes a primary memory Store where the
`user's data items are normally Stored.
`0025. Using the redirector software program, the user can
`Select certain data items for redirection, Such as E-mail
`messages, calendar events, meeting notifications, address
`entries, journal entries, personal reminders etc. Having
`Selected the data items for redirection, the user can then
`configure one or more event triggers to be sensed by the
`redirector program to initiate redirection of the user data
`items. These user-defined trigger points (or event triggers)
`include external events, internal events and networked
`events. Examples of external events include: receiving a
`message from the user's mobile data communication device
`to begin redirection; receiving a similar message from Some
`external computer; Sensing that the user is no longer in the
`vicinity of the host System; or any other event that is external
`to the host System. Internal events could be a calendar alarm,
`Screen Saver activation, keyboard timeout, programmable
`timer, or any other user-defined event that is internal to the
`host System. Networked events are user-defined messages
`that are transmitted to the host System from another com
`puter coupled to the host System via a network to initiate
`redirection. These are just Some of the examples of the types
`of user-defined events that can trigger the redirector program
`to push data items from the host to the mobile device.
`Although it is anticipated that the configuration that specifies
`which data items will be redirected and in what form will be
`
`

`

`US 2003/0O88633 A1
`
`May 8, 2003
`
`Set at the host System, Such configuration may be set or
`modified through data Sent from the mobile communications
`device.
`0026. In addition to the functionality noted above, a
`redirection System may provide a set of possibly Software
`implemented control functions for determining the type of
`mobile data communication device and its address, for
`programming a preferred list of message types that are to be
`redirected, and for determining whether the mobile device
`can receive and process certain types of message attach
`ments, Such as word processor or voice attachments. The
`determination of whether a particular mobile device can
`receive and proceSS attachments is initially configured by the
`user of that mobile device at the host System. This configu
`ration can be altered on a global or per message basis by
`transmitting a command message from the mobile device to
`the host System. If the redirector is configured So that the
`mobile data device cannot receive and process word pro
`ceSSor or voice attachments, then the redirector routes these
`attachments to an external machine that is compatible with
`the particular attachment, Such as an attached printer or
`networked fax machine or telephone. Other types of attach
`ments could be redirected to other types of external
`machines in a similar fashion, depending upon the capabili
`ties of the mobile device. For example, if a user is traveling
`and receives a message with an attachment that the user's
`mobile device can proceSS or display, the user may send a
`command message from a mobile communications device to
`the host System indicating that that attachment is to be sent
`to a fax machine at a hotel where the user will be spending
`the evening. This enables the user to receive important
`E-mail attachments as long as the host System is provided
`with Sufficient information about the destination where the
`attachment is to be forwarded.
`0027. Once an event has triggered redirection of the user
`data items, the host System may then repackage these items
`in a manner that is transparent to the mobile communication
`device, So that information on the mobile device appears
`Similar to information on the user's host System. One
`repackaging method includes wrapping the user data items
`in an E-mail envelope that corresponds to the address of the
`mobile data communication device, although, alternatively,
`other repackaging methods could be used, Such as Special
`purpose TCP/IP wrapping techniques, or other methods of
`wrapping the user Selected data items. The repackaging
`preferably results in E-mail messages generated by the user
`from the mobile device to be transmitted from the host
`System, thus enabling the user to appear to have a single
`E-mail address, Such that the recipients of messages Sent
`from the mobile communications device do not know where
`the user was physically located when the message was first
`Sent. The repackaging also permits both messages to the
`mobile device and sent from the mobile device to be
`encrypted and decrypted as well as compressed and decom
`pressed.
`0028. In an alternative system and method, a redirection
`System is provided on a network Server, and the Server is
`programmed to detect numerous redirection event triggers
`over the network from multiple user desktop computers
`coupled to the server via a LAN. The server can receive
`internal event triggers from each of the user desktops via the
`network, and can also receive external event triggers, Such
`as messages from the users mobile data communication
`
`devices. In response to receiving one of these triggers, the
`Server redirects the user's data items to the proper mobile
`data communication device. The user data items and
`addressing information for a particular mobile device can be
`stored at the server or at the user's PC. Using this alternative
`configuration, one redirector program can Serve a plurality
`of users. This alternative configuration could also include an
`Internet- or intranet-based redirector program that could be
`accessible through a Secure webpage or other user interface.
`The redirector program could be located on an Internet
`Service Provider's system and accessible only through the
`Internet.
`0029. In another alternative arrangement, a redirector
`program operates at both the host System and at the user's
`mobile data communication device. The user's mobile
`device then operates Similarly to the host System described
`below, and is configured in a similar fashion to push certain
`user-Selected data items from the mobile device to the user's
`host System (or Some other computer) upon detecting an
`event trigger at the mobile device. This configuration pro
`vides two-way pushing of information from the host to the
`mobile device and from the mobile device to the host.
`0030) Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 is an
`example System diagram showing the redirection of user
`data items (such as message A or C) from a users office PC
`(host system) 10A to the user's mobile data communication
`device 24, where the redirector Software 12A is operating at
`the user's PC. Message A in FIG. 1 represents an internal
`message sent from desktop 26 to the user's host system 10A
`via LAN 14. Message C in FIG. 1 represents an external
`message from a Sender that is not directly connected to LAN
`14, Such as the user's mobile data communication device 24,
`Some other user's mobile device (not shown), or any user
`connected to the Internet 18. Message C also represents a
`command message from the user's mobile data communi
`cation device 24 to the host system 10A. As described in
`more detail in FIG. 3, the host system 10 preferably
`includes, along with the typical hardware and Software
`asSociated with a WorkStation or desktop computer, the
`redirector program 12A, a TCP/IP subsystem 42, a primary
`message Store 40, an E-mail Subsystem 44, a Screen Saver
`Subsystem 48, and a keyboard Subsystem 46.
`0031. In FIG. 1, the host system 10A is the user's desktop
`System, typically located in the user's office. The host
`system 10A is connected to a LAN 14, which also connects
`to other computers 26, 28 that may be in the user's office or
`elsewhere. The LAN 14, in turn, is connected to a wide area
`network (“WAN”) 18, preferably the Internet, which is
`defined by the use of TCP/IP to exchange information, but
`which, alternatively could be any other type of WAN. The
`connection of the LAN 14 to the WAN 18 is via high
`bandwidth link 16, typically a T1 or T3 connection. The
`WAN 18 in turn is connected to a variety of gateways, via
`connections 32. A gateway forms a connection or bridge
`between the WAN 18 and some other type of network, such
`as an RF wireleSS network, cellular network, Satellite net
`work, or other Synchronous or asynchronous landline con
`nection.
`0032. In the example of FIG. 1, a wireless gateway 20 is
`connected to the Internet for communicating via wireleSS
`link 22 to a plurality of wireleSS mobile data communication
`devices 24. Also shown in FIG. 1 is machine 30, which
`
`

`

`US 2003/0O88633 A1
`
`May 8, 2003
`
`could be a FAX machine, a printer, a System for displaying
`images (Such as Video), a machine capable of processing and
`playing audio files, Such as a voice mail System, or Some
`other type of peripheral System or device. Certain message
`attachments may be redirected to Such an external machine
`30 if the redirector program configuration data reflects that
`the mobile device 24 cannot receive and process the attach
`ments, or if the user has specified that certain attachments
`are not to be forwarded to mobile device 24, even if Such
`device can process those attachments. By way of example,
`consider an E-mail Sent to a user that includes three attach
`ments-a word processing document, a Video clip and an
`audio clip. The redirection program could be configured to
`send the text of the E-mail to the remote device, to send the
`word processing document to a networked printer located
`near the user, to Send the Video clip to a store accessible
`through a Secure connection through the Internet and to Send
`the audio clip to the user's voice mail System. This example
`is not intended to be limiting, but rather to illustrate the
`variety of possibilities embodied in the redirection concept.
`0033. The mobile data communication device 24 may be
`a hand-held two-way wireless paging computer, a wirelessly
`enabled palm-top computer, a mobile telephone with data
`messaging capabilities, or a wirelessly enabled laptop com
`puter, but could, alternatively be other types of mobile data
`communication devices capable of Sending and receiving
`messages via a network connection 22. Although the System
`may operate in a two-way communications mode, certain
`aspects of the redirection could be beneficially used in a
`“one and one-half or acknowledgment paging environment,
`or even with a one-way paging System. The mobile data
`communication device 24 may be configured, for example
`Via Software program instructions, to work in conjunction
`with the redirector program 12A to enable the Seamless,
`transparent redirection of user-selected data items. FIG. 4
`describes the basic method steps of an example redirector
`program, and FIG. 5 describes the Steps of a corresponding
`program which may be operating at the mobile device 24.
`0034.
`In an alternative system not explicitly shown in the
`drawings, the mobile device 24 also includes a redirector
`program. User Selected data items can be replicated from the
`host to the mobile device and Vice versa. The configuration
`and operation of the mobile device 24 having a redirector
`program is similar to that described herein with respect to
`FIGS 1-5.
`0.035 A user can preferably configure the redirector pro
`gram 12A to push certain user-Selected data items to the
`user's mobile data communication device 24 when the
`redirector 12A detects that a particular user-defined event
`trigger (or trigger point) has taken place. User-selected data
`items preferably include E-mail messages, calendar events,
`meeting notifications, address entries, journal entries, per
`Sonal alerts, alarms, warnings, Stock quotes, news bulletins,
`etc., but could, alternatively, include any other type of
`message that is transmitted to the host System 10A, or that
`the host System 10A acquires through the use of intelligent
`agents, Such as data that is received after the host System
`10A initiates a search of a database or a website or a bulletin
`board. In Some instances, only a portion of the data item is
`transmitted to the mobile device 24 in order to minimize the
`amount of data transmitted via the wireleSS network 22. In
`these instances, the mobile device 24 can optionally Send a
`
`command message to the host System to receive more or all
`of the data item if the user desires to receive it.
`0036 Among the user-defined event triggers that can be
`detected by the redirector program 12A are external events,
`internal events and networked events. External events pref
`erably include: (1) receiving a command message (such as
`message C) from the user's mobile data communication
`device to begin redirection, or to execute Some other com
`mand at the host, Such as a command to enable the preferred
`list mode, or to add or Subtract a particular Sender from the
`preferred list; (2) receiving a similar message from Some
`external computer; and (3) Sensing that the user is no longer
`in the vicinity of the host System; although, alternatively, an
`external event can be any other detectable occurrence that is
`external to the host System. Internal events could be a
`calendar alarm, Screen Saver activation, keyboard timeout,
`programmable timer, or any other user-defined event that is
`internal to the host System. Networked events are user
`defined messages that are transmitted to the host System
`from another computer coupled to the host System via a
`network to initiate redirection. These are just Some of the
`events that could be used to initiate replication of the
`user-selected data items from the host system 10 to the
`mobile device 24.
`0037 FIG. 1 shows an E-mail message Abeing commu
`nicated over LAN 14 from computer 26 to the user's desktop
`system 10A (also shown in FIG. 1 is an external message C,
`which could be an E-mail message from an Internet user, or
`could be a command message from the user's mobile device
`24). Once the message A (or C) reaches the primary message
`store of the host system 10A, it can be detected and acted
`upon by the redirection software 12A. The redirection
`Software 12A can use many methods of detecting new
`messages. One method of detecting new messages is using
`Microsoft(R) Messaging API (“MAPI”), in which programs,
`Such as the redirector program 12A, register for notifications
`or advise Syncs when changes to a mailbox take place.
`Other methods of detecting new messages could also be
`used, and will be described in further detail below.
`0038 Assuming that the redirector software program
`12A is activated, and has been configured by the user (either
`through the Sensing of an internal, network or external
`event) to replicate certain user data items (including mes
`sages of type A or C) to the mobile device 24, when the
`message A is received at the host System 10A, the redirector
`Software program 12A detects its presence and prepares the
`message for redirection to the mobile device 24. In preparing
`the message for redirection, the redirector Software program
`12A could compress the original message A, could compress
`the message header, or could encrypt the entire message A
`to create a Secure link to the mobile device 24.
`0039. Also programmed into the redirector software pro
`gram 12A is the address of the user's mobile data commu
`nication device 24, the type of device, and whether the
`device 24 can accept certain types of attachmen