US6336142B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Methods and apparatus for downloading data between an information processing device and an external device via a wireless communications technique
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
•
Filing: 2000-01-19
•
Granted: 2002-01-01
•
Expires: 2020-01-19
Abstract
Abstract To provide an improved information processing apparatus and a method for controlling the same, which enables to smoothly transfer data, such as processed results obtained from execution of an application program, an HTML file acquired from a Web server in accordance with the TCP/IP protocol or the like, to an external device (PDA) by using an infrared communication function. The disclosed information processing apparatus periodically accesses a predetermined server machine (e.g., a Web server) to acquire a desired file (e.g., an HTML file). This file acquisition operation is carried out without the involvement of operations of an infrared transceiver. In other words, the information processing apparatus attempts to continually perform caching of the most recent download data. As a result, when the PDA as an external device is set into an infrared communication mode and a user simply holds the PDA to a station discoverable region of the information processing apparatus, a connection between them is established, thereby enabling the PDA to receive the most recent data.
Inventors
- 👤 Naotaka Kato
- 👤 Yoshihisa Kanada
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 12:40
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04L; H04L67/00; H04L67/01; H04L67/06; G; G06; G06F; G06F1/00; G06F1/16; G06F1/1613; G06F1/1632; H04L67/04; H04L67/50; H04L67/56; H04L67/567; H04L67/568; H04L9/00; H04L9/40; H04L67/02; H04L67/51; H04L69/00; H04L69/30; H04L69/32; H04L69/322; H04L69/329; H04W; H04W4/00; H04W76/00; H04W76/10; H04W8/00; H04W8/005; H04W88/00; H04W88/18; H04W88/182
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim
116 words
An information processing apparatus having an infrared communication function, comprising: an infrared transceiver for transmitting/receiving an infrared code; means for acquiring and storing data to be downloaded; input means for allowing a user to input user commands; means, responsive to a data download command from the user, for entering and staying in a station search state to transmit an infrared code to search for a destination station to which data is to be downloaded; and means for downloading data to the destination station, wherein the downloading data means is independent of a communications protocol associated with the acquiring means such that the destination station is not required to support the communications protocol of the acquiring means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
116 words
An information processing apparatus having an infrared communication function, comprising: an infrared transceiver for transmitting/receiving an infrared code; means for acquiring and storing data to be downloaded; input means for allowing a user to input user commands; means, responsive to a data download command from the user, for entering and staying in a station search state to transmit an infrared code to search for a destination station to which data is to be downloaded; and means for downloading data to the destination station, wherein the downloading data means is independent of a communications protocol associated with the acquiring means such that the destination station is not required to support the communications protocol of the acquiring means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
155 words
An information processing apparatus having an infrared communication function, comprising: an infrared transceiver for transmitting/receiving an infrared code; means for acquiring and storing data to be downloaded; input means for allowing a user to input user commands; means, responsive to a data download command from the user, for entering and staying in a station search state to transmit an infrared code to search for a destination station to which data is to be downloaded; means, responsive to receipt of an infrared code that indicates a response of station discovery from the destination station, for executing an infrared communication to transmit the download data, wherein the execution means is independent of a communication protocol associated with the acquiring means such that the destination station is not required to support the communications protocol of the acquiring means; and means, responsive to termination of the infrared communication with the destination station, for returning to the station search state.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
155 words
An information processing apparatus having an infrared communication function, comprising: an infrared transceiver for transmitting/receiving an infrared code; means for acquiring and storing data to be downloaded; input means for allowing a user to input user commands; means, responsive to a data download command from the user, for entering and staying in a station search state to transmit an infrared code to search for a destination station to which data is to be downloaded; means, responsive to receipt of an infrared code that indicates a response of station discovery from the destination station, for executing an infrared communication to transmit the download data, wherein the execution means is independent of a communication protocol associated with the acquiring means such that the destination station is not required to support the communications protocol of the acquiring means; and means, responsive to termination of the infrared communication with the destination station, for returning to the station search state.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
156 words
A method of controlling an information processing apparatus having an infrared transceiver for transmitting/receiving an infrared code, a memory for storing download data, and input means for allowing a user to input user commands, comprising the steps of: acquiring data to be downloaded; responsive to a data download command from the user, entering and staying in a station search state to transmit an infrared code to search for a destination station to which data is to be downloaded data; responsive to receipt of an infrared code that indicates a response of station discovery from the destination station, executing an infrared communication to transmit the download data, wherein the execution operation is independent of a communications protocol associated with the acquisition operation such that the destination station is not required to support the communications protocol of the acquisition operation; and responsive to termination of the infrared communication with the destination station, returning to the station search state.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
156 words
A method of controlling an information processing apparatus having an infrared transceiver for transmitting/receiving an infrared code, a memory for storing download data, and input means for allowing a user to input user commands, comprising the steps of: acquiring data to be downloaded; responsive to a data download command from the user, entering and staying in a station search state to transmit an infrared code to search for a destination station to which data is to be downloaded data; responsive to receipt of an infrared code that indicates a response of station discovery from the destination station, executing an infrared communication to transmit the download data, wherein the execution operation is independent of a communications protocol associated with the acquisition operation such that the destination station is not required to support the communications protocol of the acquisition operation; and responsive to termination of the infrared communication with the destination station, returning to the station search state.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
167 words
A method of controlling an information processing apparatus having an infrared transceiver for transmitting/receiving an infrared code, a memory for storing download data, and input means for allowing a user to input user commands, comprising the steps of: acquiring data to be downloaded; responsive to a data download command from the user, entering and staying in a station search state to transmit an infrared code to search for a destination station to which data is to be downloaded; responsive to receipt of an infrared code that indicates a response of station discovery from the destination station, executing an infrared communication to transmit the download data, wherein the execution operation is independent of a communications protocol associated with the acquisition operation such that the destination station is not required to support the communications protocol of the acquisition operation; responsive to termination of the infrared communication with the destination station, returning to the station search state; and responsive to a command from the user, exiting the station search state.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
167 words
A method of controlling an information processing apparatus having an infrared transceiver for transmitting/receiving an infrared code, a memory for storing download data, and input means for allowing a user to input user commands, comprising the steps of: acquiring data to be downloaded; responsive to a data download command from the user, entering and staying in a station search state to transmit an infrared code to search for a destination station to which data is to be downloaded; responsive to receipt of an infrared code that indicates a response of station discovery from the destination station, executing an infrared communication to transmit the download data, wherein the execution operation is independent of a communications protocol associated with the acquisition operation such that the destination station is not required to support the communications protocol of the acquisition operation; responsive to termination of the infrared communication with the destination station, returning to the station search state; and responsive to a command from the user, exiting the station search state.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
178 words
A computer readable storage medium for storing in a tangible form a computer program executable on a computer system comprising an infrared transceiver for transmitting/receiving an infrared code, a memory for storing download data, and input means for allowing a user to input user commands, said computer program comprising: a routine for acquiring data to be downloaded; a routine, responsive to a data download command from the user, for entering and staying in a station search state to transmit an infrared code to search for a destination station to which data is to be downloaded; a routine, responsive to receipt of an infrared code that indicates a response of station discovery from the decision station, for executing an infrared communication to transmit the download data, wherein the execution routine is independent of a communication protocol associated with the acquisition routine such that the destination station is not required to support the communications protocol of the acquisition routine; and a routine, responsive to termination of the infrared communication with the destination station, for returning to the station search state.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
178 words
A computer readable storage medium for storing in a tangible form a computer program executable on a computer system comprising an infrared transceiver for transmitting/receiving an infrared code, a memory for storing download data, and input means for allowing a user to input user commands, said computer program comprising: a routine for acquiring data to be downloaded; a routine, responsive to a data download command from the user, for entering and staying in a station search state to transmit an infrared code to search for a destination station to which data is to be downloaded; a routine, responsive to receipt of an infrared code that indicates a response of station discovery from the decision station, for executing an infrared communication to transmit the download data, wherein the execution routine is independent of a communication protocol associated with the acquisition routine such that the destination station is not required to support the communications protocol of the acquisition routine; and a routine, responsive to termination of the infrared communication with the destination station, for returning to the station search state.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
193 words
A computer readable storage medium for storing in a tangible form a computer program executable on a computer system comprising an infrared transceiver for transmitting/receiving an infrared code, a memory for storing download data, and input means for allowing a user to input user commands, said computer program comprising: a routine for acquiring data to be downloaded; a routine, responsive to a data download command from the user, for entering and staying in a station search state to transmit an infrared code to search for a destination station to which data is to be downloaded; a routine, responsive to receipt of an infrared code that indicates a response of station discovery from the destination station, for executing an infrared communication to transmit the download data, wherein the execution routine is independent of a communications protocol associated with the acquisition routine such that the destination station is not required to support the communications protocol of the acquisition routine; a routine, responsive to termination of the infrared communication with the destination station, for returning to the station search state; and a routine, responsive to a command from the user, for exiting the station search state.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
193 words
A computer readable storage medium for storing in a tangible form a computer program executable on a computer system comprising an infrared transceiver for transmitting/receiving an infrared code, a memory for storing download data, and input means for allowing a user to input user commands, said computer program comprising: a routine for acquiring data to be downloaded; a routine, responsive to a data download command from the user, for entering and staying in a station search state to transmit an infrared code to search for a destination station to which data is to be downloaded; a routine, responsive to receipt of an infrared code that indicates a response of station discovery from the destination station, for executing an infrared communication to transmit the download data, wherein the execution routine is independent of a communications protocol associated with the acquisition routine such that the destination station is not required to support the communications protocol of the acquisition routine; a routine, responsive to termination of the infrared communication with the destination station, for returning to the station search state; and a routine, responsive to a command from the user, for exiting the station search state.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
111 words
An information processing apparatus having a wireless communication function, comprising: a wireless transceiver for transmitting/receiving a wireless code; means for acquiring data to be downloaded; input means for allowing a user to input user commands; means, responsive to a data download command from the user, for entering and staying in a station search state to transmit a wireless code to search for a destination to which data is to be downloaded; and means for downloading data to the destination station, wherein the downloading data means is independent of a communications protocol associated with the acquiring means such that the destination station is not required the communications protocol of the acquiring means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
111 words
An information processing apparatus having a wireless communication function, comprising: a wireless transceiver for transmitting/receiving a wireless code; means for acquiring data to be downloaded; input means for allowing a user to input user commands; means, responsive to a data download command from the user, for entering and staying in a station search state to transmit a wireless code to search for a destination to which data is to be downloaded; and means for downloading data to the destination station, wherein the downloading data means is independent of a communications protocol associated with the acquiring means such that the destination station is not required the communications protocol of the acquiring means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
154 words
An information processing apparatus having a wireless communication function, comprising: a wireless transceiver for transmitting/receiving a wireless code; means for acquiring data to be downloaded; input means for allowing a user to input user commands; means, responsive to a data download command from the user, for entering and staying in a station search state to transmit a wireless code to search for a destination station to which data is to be downloaded; and means, responsive to receipt of a wireless code that indicates a response of station discovery from the destination station, for executing a wireless communication to transmit the download data, wherein the execution means is independent of a communications protocol associated with the acquiring means such that the destination station is not required to support the communications protocol of the acquiring means; and means, responsive to termination of the wireless communication with the destination station, for returning to the station search state.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
154 words
An information processing apparatus having a wireless communication function, comprising: a wireless transceiver for transmitting/receiving a wireless code; means for acquiring data to be downloaded; input means for allowing a user to input user commands; means, responsive to a data download command from the user, for entering and staying in a station search state to transmit a wireless code to search for a destination station to which data is to be downloaded; and means, responsive to receipt of a wireless code that indicates a response of station discovery from the destination station, for executing a wireless communication to transmit the download data, wherein the execution means is independent of a communications protocol associated with the acquiring means such that the destination station is not required to support the communications protocol of the acquiring means; and means, responsive to termination of the wireless communication with the destination station, for returning to the station search state.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
24 words
The information processing apparatus of claim 7 , further comprising means, responsive to a command from the user, for exiting the station search state.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
156 words
A method of controlling an information processing apparatus having a wireless transceiver for transmitting/receiving a wireless code, a memory for storing download data, and input means for allowing a user to input user commands, comprising the steps of: acquiring data to be downloaded; responsive to a data download command from the user, entering and staying in a station search state to transmit a wireless code to search for a destination station to which data is to be downloaded data; responsive to receipt of a wireless code that indicates a response of station discovery from the destination station, executing a wireless communication to transmit the download data, wherein the execution operation is independent of a communications protocol associated with the acquisition operation such that the destination station is not required to support the communications protocol of the acquisition operation; and responsive to termination of the wireless communication with the destination station, returning to the station search state.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
156 words
A method of controlling an information processing apparatus having a wireless transceiver for transmitting/receiving a wireless code, a memory for storing download data, and input means for allowing a user to input user commands, comprising the steps of: acquiring data to be downloaded; responsive to a data download command from the user, entering and staying in a station search state to transmit a wireless code to search for a destination station to which data is to be downloaded data; responsive to receipt of a wireless code that indicates a response of station discovery from the destination station, executing a wireless communication to transmit the download data, wherein the execution operation is independent of a communications protocol associated with the acquisition operation such that the destination station is not required to support the communications protocol of the acquisition operation; and responsive to termination of the wireless communication with the destination station, returning to the station search state.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
167 words
A method of controlling an information processing apparatus having a wireless transceiver for transmitting/receiving a wireless code, a memory for storing download data, and input means for allowing a user to input user commands, comprising the steps of: acquiring data to be downloaded; responsive to a data download command from the user, entering and staying in a station search state to transmit a wireless code to search for a destination station to which data is to be downloaded; responsive to receipt of a wireless code that indicates a response of station discovery from the destination station, executing a wireless communication to transmit the download data, wherein the execution operation is independent of a communications protocol associated with the acquisition operation such that the destination station is not required to support the communications protocol of the acquisition operation; responsive to termination of the wireless communication with the destination station, returning to the station search state; and responsive to a command from the user, exiting the station search state.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
167 words
A method of controlling an information processing apparatus having a wireless transceiver for transmitting/receiving a wireless code, a memory for storing download data, and input means for allowing a user to input user commands, comprising the steps of: acquiring data to be downloaded; responsive to a data download command from the user, entering and staying in a station search state to transmit a wireless code to search for a destination station to which data is to be downloaded; responsive to receipt of a wireless code that indicates a response of station discovery from the destination station, executing a wireless communication to transmit the download data, wherein the execution operation is independent of a communications protocol associated with the acquisition operation such that the destination station is not required to support the communications protocol of the acquisition operation; responsive to termination of the wireless communication with the destination station, returning to the station search state; and responsive to a command from the user, exiting the station search state.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
177 words
A computer readable storage medium for storing in a tangible form a computer program executable on a computer system comprising a wireless transceiver for transmitting/receiving a wireless code, a memory for storing download data, and input means for allowing a user to input user commands, said computer program comprising: a routine for acquiring data to be downloaded; routine, response to a data download command from the user, for entering and staying in a station search state to transmit a wireless code to search for a destination station to which data is to be downloaded; a routine, responsive to receipt of a wireless code that indicates a response of station discovery from the destination station, for executing a wireless communication to transmit the download data, wherein the execution routine is independent of a communications protocol associated with the acquisition routine such that the destination station is not required to support the communications protocol of the acquisition routine; and a routine, responsive to termination of the wireless communication with the destination station, for returning to the station search state.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
177 words
A computer readable storage medium for storing in a tangible form a computer program executable on a computer system comprising a wireless transceiver for transmitting/receiving a wireless code, a memory for storing download data, and input means for allowing a user to input user commands, said computer program comprising: a routine for acquiring data to be downloaded; routine, response to a data download command from the user, for entering and staying in a station search state to transmit a wireless code to search for a destination station to which data is to be downloaded; a routine, responsive to receipt of a wireless code that indicates a response of station discovery from the destination station, for executing a wireless communication to transmit the download data, wherein the execution routine is independent of a communications protocol associated with the acquisition routine such that the destination station is not required to support the communications protocol of the acquisition routine; and a routine, responsive to termination of the wireless communication with the destination station, for returning to the station search state.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
193 words
A computer readable storage medium for storing in a tangible form a computer program executable on a computer system comprising a wireless transceiver for transmitting/receiving a wireless code, a memory for storing download data, and input means for allowing a user to input user commands, said computer program comprising: a routine for acquiring data to be downloaded; a routine, responsive to a data download command from the user, for entering and staying in a station search state to transmit a wireless code to search for a destination station to which data is to be downloaded: a routine, responsive to receipt of a wireless code that indicates a response of station discovery from the destination station, for executing a wireless communication to transmit the download data, wherein the execution routine is independent of a communications protocol associated with the acquisition routine such that the destination station is not required to support the communications protocol of the acquisition routine; a routine, responsive to termination of the wireless communication with the destination station, for returning to the station search state; and a routine, responsive to a command from the user, for exiting the station search state.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
193 words
A computer readable storage medium for storing in a tangible form a computer program executable on a computer system comprising a wireless transceiver for transmitting/receiving a wireless code, a memory for storing download data, and input means for allowing a user to input user commands, said computer program comprising: a routine for acquiring data to be downloaded; a routine, responsive to a data download command from the user, for entering and staying in a station search state to transmit a wireless code to search for a destination station to which data is to be downloaded: a routine, responsive to receipt of a wireless code that indicates a response of station discovery from the destination station, for executing a wireless communication to transmit the download data, wherein the execution routine is independent of a communications protocol associated with the acquisition routine such that the destination station is not required to support the communications protocol of the acquisition routine; a routine, responsive to termination of the wireless communication with the destination station, for returning to the station search state; and a routine, responsive to a command from the user, for exiting the station search state.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
117 words
An information processing apparatus having a wireless communication function, comprising: a wireless transceiver for transmitting/receiving a wireless code; means for acquiring web-based data to be downloaded; input means for allowing a user to input user commands; means, responsive to a data download command from the user, for entering and staying in a station search state to transmit a wireless code to search for a destination station to which data is to be downloaded; and means for downloading data to the destination station, wherein the downloading data means is independent of a web-based communications protocol associated with the acquisition means such that the destination station is not required to support the web-based communications protocol of the acquiring means.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
117 words
An information processing apparatus having a wireless communication function, comprising: a wireless transceiver for transmitting/receiving a wireless code; means for acquiring web-based data to be downloaded; input means for allowing a user to input user commands; means, responsive to a data download command from the user, for entering and staying in a station search state to transmit a wireless code to search for a destination station to which data is to be downloaded; and means for downloading data to the destination station, wherein the downloading data means is independent of a web-based communications protocol associated with the acquisition means such that the destination station is not required to support the web-based communications protocol of the acquiring means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2004-12-31 | 2005-07-02 | 2006-01-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-12-31 | 2009-07-02 | 2010-01-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-12-31 | 2013-07-02 | 2014-01-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |