System Updates Files Stored On a Target Wireless Device With Current Versions



McAfee today announced that the United States Patent and Trademark Office has granted the company U.S. Patent No.: 7,024,432 entitled "Updating Computer Files on Wireless Data Processing Devices," which covers various systems, programs and processes for updating wireless devices.

In particular, the technology can update a file on a wireless device with a more up-to-date version of the same file that exists on another device. According to one of many examples falling within the purview of the patented technology, a wireless communication link is established between a wireless device and another device that has a more up-to-date version of a particular file. First, it is determined whether a portion of the more up-to-date version is already stored on the wireless device. Then, the file may be downloaded from the other device beginning with any portion of the file that is already stored on the wireless device. When a full copy of the more up-to-date version of the file is stored on the wireless device, a current version of the file may be replaced with the more up-to-date version. Also, any portions of less up-to-date versions of the file may be discarded if they are not subsequently needed.

Wireless devices might only be connected for short periods of time and at irregular intervals. In accordance with the principles of the patented technology, an update download can occur incrementally and begin with any portion of the more up-to-date version that already exists on the wireless device.

"This technology caters to wireless environments," said Victor Kouznetsov, senior vice president of McAfee Mobile. "To accommodate updating wireless devices, portions of updates may be stored as and when they become available."

Posted: Mon - May 1, 2006 at 08:59 PM           |

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