New Media Corp.

Waveware Communications, Inc.

Thomas G Pollard

Rodney J Corder

David B Cook

A handheld client computer and a host computer are synchronized through a data channel, preferably a high-latency data channel, by transferring from the handheld client computer to a cache in the host computer a skeletal snapshot of the client records, including the identification and address of each of the client records. An up-transfer list of client records to be transferred from the client computer to the host computer is determined. The records on the up-transfer list are up-transferred from the handheld client computer to the cache of the host computer and associated with the skeletal snapshot, so as to be available to a record synchronization operation. A set of updated host records to be down-transferred is received from the record synchronization operation. The step of up-transferring is preferably initiated prior to the initiation of the step of receiving from the record synchronization operation. The method includes down-transferring from the host computer to the handheld client computer the set of updated host records to be down transferred, and also storing the updated host records in the cache associated with the skeletal snapshot. The steps of up-transferring and down-transferring are accomplished in a full-duplex, asynchronous manner. A complete status and the set of host records of the handheld client computer may be up-transferred to the cache to form a virtual client computer. The virtual client computer may be stored on a mass storage device and updated incrementally during subsequent synchronization sessions.

Synchronization of host computers and handheld remote computers

A computer system includes a computer and a plug-in card having a remote data link. The plug-in card draws power from the power sour the computer. A status monitor shows the operability of the remote data link, specifically whether it is operable for data communications to or from the computer, and its connection to the plug-in card. Power to the plug-in card is controlled responsive to the status monitor, so that power to the card is enabled only when the external data link and its connector are operable.

Growing community of inventors

San Diego, CA, United States of America

Thomas G Pollard