Abstract:
A switchable communicator, including a processor for running at least one communication service, up to at least communication layer 2, in conjunction with a computer to which the communicator is docked, a memory coupled with the processor for storing program code and data for the at least one communication service, a modem coupled with the processor for transmitting and receiving data for the at least one communication service, an input device coupled with the processor for inputting data to be transmitted by the at least one communication service, an output device coupled with the processor for displaying data that is received by the at least one communication service, and an interface for docking the communicator to the computer, and for synchronizing communication service data between the communicator and the computer when the communicator is docked to the computer, wherein the computer may be in an active mode or in an inactive mode, and wherein the processor switches to run the at least one communication service by itself, up to communication layer 7, when the computer is in inactive mode. A method is also described and claimed.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The field of the present invention is modems and communication applications. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Personal computers (PCs) use external communication interfaces, such as cellular modems, wireless LANs, Bluetooth and Ethernet, to provide communication applications such as web browsing, e-mail, instant messaging, calendar scheduler, voice over IP and video conferencing. In addition, some consumer electronic (CE) computing devices, such as game stations, PDAs and portable music players also use external communication interfaces to provide communication applications. The PC/CE computer controls the communication modem and communicates therewith. 
         [0003]    The standard TCP/IP communication protocol includes 7 communication layers. Implementation of these layers is divided between the computer and the modem. Modems generally implement communication layers 1 and 2. If a modem includes router functionality, then it may also implement communication layer 3. The higher communication layers are implemented by the PC/CE computer. 
         [0004]    When a PC/CE computer goes into a low power mode, such as sleep mode or hibernation mode, the internal processor of the PC/CE computer is halted, and communication links established via the modem are severed. This happens even when the modem derives its power from an external power source. Thus, the modem itself may not be in low power mode, but nevertheless communication is severed because the host PC/CE is in low power mode. 
         [0005]    Since PCs and, even more so, mobile CE computing devices, frequently switch to low power modes of operation in order to preserve power, the availability of their communication services is limited. This is particularly disadvantageous for services that have real time behavior, such as e-mail and calendar services for which outside data is continuously being sent. 
         [0006]    It would thus be advantageous to be able to maintain communication services such as e-mail even when a computer is in an inactive power mode. 
         [0007]    One solution to avoiding loss of communication when a computer is shut down is provided by the Active Notifications technology developed by Microsoft Corporation of Redmond, Wash. Active Notification uses the Windows SideShow™ technology, also developed by Microsoft Corporation, to show notifications for e-mail messages and calendar reminders on compatible secondary display devices, when a PC is in sleep mode. 
         [0008]    SideShow uses mini-programs, also referred to as “gadgets”, to enable various compatible devices connected to a computer to run using data from the computer, whether the computer is turned on, turned off, or in a sleep power state. The mini-programs run on the computer, and update the devices with data from the computer. However, on-line communication is only done via the computer, and not via the connected devices. 
         [0009]    Active Notification provides two modes of notification, as follows. 
         [0010]    An immediate notification and synchronization mode keeps a mobile computer continually connected to a Microsoft Exchange server, even when the PC is asleep. This mode of notification is only available for PCs that have wireless WAN modems and wireless data service. In this mode, the wireless WAN modem monitors a network for an e-mail signal from the Exchange server, and wakes up the PC, as necessary, for automatic synchronization. After synchronization the PC resumes its sleep mode. Alternatively, in a notification-only mode, synchronization is not performed unless directed by the user; i.e., the user decides when to wake up the PC and perform synchronization. 
         [0011]    A periodic notification and synchronization mode enables the user to determine how often the PC is awoken and synchronized with the Exchange server. 
         [0012]    However, in both of the above modes of notification, the PC must be turned on in order to be synchronized with the Exchange server. 
         [0013]    It should be advantageous to overcome this limitation as well, and provide a solution that maintains communication services when a computer is asleep, without having to wake up the computer and bring it back into active mode. 
       SUMMARY OF THE DESCRIPTION 
       [0014]    The present invention overcomes loss of communication services, such as e-mail service and instant messaging service, when computers switch to inactive power modes. Aspects of the present invention provide a switchable communication device, referred to as a switchable communicator, that provides normal modem functionality when operating in conjunction with a computer that is in an active power mode, and that seamlessly switches to take over communication services from the computer when the computer switches to inactive power mode. While the computer is in active power mode, the switchable communicator implements low communication layers in conjunction with the computer that implements the higher communication layers. However, when the computer is in inactive power mode, the switchable communicator implements all communication layers, thereby maintaining communication services while the computer is inactive. 
         [0015]    The communicator synchronizes communication service data with the computer as appropriate prior to the computer entering inactive power mode, and subsequent to the computer resuming active power mode. For e-mail service, login information and mail server address are synchronized between the computer and the communicator. In addition, for e-mail policies that enable manipulation of e-mail messages off of the e-mail server, downloaded e-mail messages are also synchronized. Optionally, a list of contacts and a calendar schedule are also synchronized. 
         [0016]    For instant messaging service, login information and a list of contacts are synchronized between the computer and the communicator. Optionally, message discussion histories are also synchronized. 
         [0017]    Communication services being implemented by the communicator alone may have some limited functionality. For example, e-mail messages may be processed for headers and text, but not for attachments and pictures. Similarly, instant messages may be processed for simple text, but not for graphical and audible icons, referred to variously as emoticons and winks. 
         [0018]    There is thus provided in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention a switchable communicator, including a processor for running at least one communication service, up to at least communication layer 2, in conjunction with a computer to which the communicator is docked, a memory coupled with the processor for storing program code and data for the at least one communication service, a modem coupled with the processor for transmitting and receiving data for the at least one communication service, an input device coupled with the processor for inputting data to be transmitted by the at least one communication service, an output device coupled with the processor for displaying data that is received by the at least one communication service, and an interface for docking the communicator to the computer, and for synchronizing communication service data between the communicator and the computer when the communicator is docked to the computer, wherein the computer may be in an active mode or in an inactive mode, and wherein the processor switches to run the at least one communication service by itself, up to communication layer 7, when the computer is in inactive mode. 
         [0019]    There is moreover provided in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention a method for switchable communication, including synchronizing data for at least one communication service from a computer to a communicator, prior to the computer switching to a low power mode of operation, running the at least one communication service on the communicator while the computer is in the low power mode of operation, whereby the communicator manages communication layers up to layer 7, synchronizing data for the at least one communication service from the communicator to the computer when the computer is switched back to a full power mode of operation, and running the at least one communication service on the computer in conjunction with the communicator while the computer is in the full power mode of operation, whereby the communicator managers low communication layers up to at least layer 2 and the computer manages the higher communication layers. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0020]    The present invention will be more fully understood and appreciated from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the drawings in which: 
           [0021]      FIG. 1  is a simplified block diagram of a switchable communicator, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0022]      FIG. 2  is a picture of a physical switchable communicator, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0023]      FIG. 3  is a simplified block diagram of a network of switchable communicators, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0024]      FIG. 4  is a simplified flowchart of operation of a switchable communicator, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0025]    Aspects of the present invention relate to methods and systems for seamlessly switching over from a computer to a modem, to maintain communication services such as e-mail, calendar scheduling and instant messaging, when the computer enters a low power inactive mode. Although the computer&#39;s processor is turned off, the modem, running on its own power source, is able to maintain communication services. Communication service data is synchronized from the computer to the modem prior to the computer entering the low power inactive mode, and from the modem to the computer subsequent to the computer resuming a full power active mode. Thus the communication service is handed down from the computer to the modem while the computer is asleep, and handed back from the modem to the computer when the computer is aware, without data discrepancy. 
         [0026]    It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that power management of the modem enables the modem to have standby time lasting for hundreds of hours. Moreover, whereas computers are often switched to low power modes, the modem is active all the time, 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. As such, using the modem for online communication services in accordance with the present invention is very advantageous. 
         [0027]    Reference is now made to  FIG. 1 , which is a simplified block diagram of a switchable communicator  100 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Reference is also made to  FIG. 2 , which is a picture of the physical switchable communicator  100 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Communicator  100  generally has a USB connector, an SD connecter, or a wireless Bluetooth connector, or a combination of two or more such connectors. 
         [0028]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , switchable communicator  100  includes a central processing unit  105 , and a memory  110  that has program code  115  stored therewithin. Switchable communicator  100  has its own power subsystem  120 . Switchable communicator  100  has input and output peripherals, including inter alia a keyboard  125  for input and a display  130  for output. Switchable communicator  100  further includes an audio subsystem  135  for playing music. 
         [0029]    For data transmission, switchable communicator  100  includes a modem  140  with an RF interface  145  therewithin. Modem  140  transmits and receives voice signals using a GSM antenna  150 , coupled with a power amplifier  155 . Modem  140  transmits and receives digital data using wireless transmission, including inter alia wireless LAN  160 . 
         [0030]    Switchable communicator  100  also includes a SIM card  170  for storing data such as configuration data and a list of contacts. 
         [0031]    In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, switchable communicator  100  supports one or more communication services  175 , such as an e-mail client  176 , an instant messaging client  177  and a web browser  178 , up to communication layer 7. Switchable communicator  100  also supports standard communication modem functionality at communication layers 2 or 3. 
         [0032]    Switchable communicator  100  includes a PC/CE interface  180 , for connection to a PC or to a CE computing device  185 . PC/CE interface  175  enables communicator  100  to communicate with PC/CE computer  185 , and also to determine the power state of PC/CE computer  185 . A power state may be inter alia a full-power active mode, and a low-power mode such as sleep mode and hibernation mode. Switchable communicator  100  may be physically docked with PC/CE computer  185 , and electronically connected via a USB, SD or such other connector. Alternatively, switchable communicator  100  may be connected to PC/CE computer  185  via a wireless connector, such as a Bluetooth connector. Communicator  100  changes its mode of operation, based on the power state of PC/CE computer  185  that it is docked with, as described hereinbelow. 
         [0033]    When communicator  100  is docked with PC/CE computer  185 , and PC/CE computer  185  is in active power mode, then communicator  100  operates as a standard communication modem, implementing the lower communication layers, up to layers 2 or 3. Communicator  100  forwards data to and receives data from PC/CE computer  185  at the lower communication layers, via interface  175 . PC/CE computer  185  implements the high communication layers, including applications for various communication services, such as e-mail and chat. 
         [0034]    While PC/CE computer  185  is active, it updates service applications on communicator  100  with requisite parameters, for communication services  175  supported by communicator  100 . For example, the PC/CE computer updates e-mail client  176  with parameters including an address for an e-mall server  190  and login information. In addition, PC/CE computer  185  may update e-mail client  176  with downloaded e-mails, as per the mail server download policy. Such updating by PC/CE computer  185  for e-mail client  176  may be performed in real-time, or periodically, or prior to PC/CE computer  185  transitioning to a low-power mode. 
         [0035]    While PC/CE computer  185  is inactive, in a low-power mode such as sleep mode or hibernation mode, communicator  100  uses its own internal service applications, thereby allowing communication services  175  to be maintained throughout the period of inactivity for PC/CE computer  185 . Some or all of communication services  175  may have limited display and processing functionalities vis a vis those of PC/CE computer  185 . For example, e-mail client  176  may be able to extract incoming e-mail from e-mail server  190 , but may not be able to process or display e-mail attachments. I.e., e-mail client  176  may be able to display e-mail headers and text, but not be able to process or display attachments. When PC/CE computer  185  returns to active mode, communicator  100  provides PC/CE computer  185  with requisite parameters to resume its own services, which communicator  100  operated during PC/CE computer&#39;s  185  period of inactivity. 
         [0036]    What follows is a discussion of e-mail client  176 , and the synchronization that seamlessly enables communication e-mail client  176  to take over e-mail service from PC/CE computer  185 , when PC/CE computer  185  is inactive, and hand back the e-mail service to PC/CE computer  185  when PC/CE computer  185  resumes its activity. 
         [0000]    E-Mail Synchronization between Communicator  100  and PC/CE Computer  185   
         [0037]    POP3 and IMAP4 are two commonly used protocols for receiving e-mail, and SMTP is a commonly used protocol for sending e-mail. POP3 supports end-users with sporadic network connections, such as dial-up connections, enabling the users to retrieve e-mail messages when connected, and then to view and manipulate the retrieved message without remaining connected. IMAP supports both connected and disconnected modes of operation. E-mail clients using IMAP generally leave messages on the e-mail server until a user expressly deletes them. 
         [0038]    Regardless of which protocol is used, e-mail client  176  connects to e-mall server  190  via any of the supported network access methods, including inter alia WLAN, GPRS and GSM dial-up. Such network access is secured using cryptographic protocols, including inter alia Secure Socket Layer (SSL) and Transport Layer Security (TLS), as supported by e-mail client  176  and e-mail server  190 . Using WLAN as an example, when communicator  100  connects to e-mail server  190 , several parameters must be pre-configured, as follows.
   Service Set Identifier (SSID)—a unique network name including up to 32 characters;   Security type—none, WEP, WPA, WPA2, or such other type   Security password—an alphanumeric string   Network type—ad-hoc wireless network (IBSS), or infrastructure networks which includes an access point (BSS or possible an ESS)   
 
         [0043]    After connection, the information exchanged between communicator  100  and e-mail server  190  generally depends on the type of e-mail download policy. If, as per the IMAP protocol, a user stores his e-mails on e-mail server  190  and does not download them to PC/CE computer  185 , then when PC/CE computer  185  is inactive, e-mail client  185  accesses the user&#39;s e-mails from e-mail server  190 . As such, when PC/CE computer  185  resumes activity, the user can continue accessing his e-mails from e-mail server  190 , without requiring special synchronization. Only basic synchronization is required, such as synchronization of login information prior to PC/CE computer  185  transitioning to off-line mode. For example, if the user changed his password, then the new password is transferred to communicator  100 . 
         [0044]    However, if the user manages his e-mails locally on PC/CE computer  185 , instead of on e-mail server  190 , then special synchronization is required. Specifically, prior to PC/CE computer  185  shutting down, synchronization from PC/CE→communicator occurs by transferring new and changed contacts, and new and changed e-mail messages, and changed login information including inter alia server name, user name, domain name, e-mail address and password. 
         [0045]    According to one embodiment of the present invention, only e-mail headers and plain text messages are transferred to communicator  100 , as well as text-only contact details, without attachments and without images. Subsequently, when PC/CE computer  185  is in low-power mode, access to the user&#39;s e-mail account is conducted via e-mail client  176 . E-mail client  176  only downloads e-mail headers and plain text messages. E-mail client is operable to send text e-mails, and to create and change contact information. When PC/CE computer  185  resumes its activity, synchronization from communicator→PC/CE occurs, updating PC/CE computer  185  with relevant changes. The ActiveSync® software application, manufactured by Microsoft Corporation of Redmond, Wash., may be used for such synchronization in conjunction with Microsoft&#39;s Windows operating system. 
         [0046]    The connection between communicator  100  and e-mail server computer  190 , or such other server computer may be any wireless connection, and is not limited to GSM. Use of GSM in  FIG. 1  and the discussion thereof is for the sake of clarity, and not intended to be limiting. 
         [0047]    Reference is now made to  FIG. 3 , which is a simplified block diagram of a network of switchable communicators, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Shown in  FIG. 3  are laptop and office computers  185 , connected to corresponding switchable communicators  100 . When computers  185  are active, communicators  100  operate as modems in conjunction with computers  185 . Computers  185  receive and send e-mails and messages via server  190 , which provides communication services, include an e-mail service and a messaging service. When computers  185  are active, the communication services are directed to computers  185 . However, when computers  185  are inactive, the communication services are directed instead to switchable communicators  100 . 
         [0048]    Reference is now made to  FIG. 4 , which is a simplified flowchart of operation of switchable communicator  100 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. At step  405  a determination is made whether or not PC/CE computer  185  is turned on. If so, then at step  410  communicator  100  operates as a standard communication modem: PC/CE computer  185  implements the higher communication layers, and communicator  100  implements the lower communication layers. 
         [0049]    At step  415  synchronization from PC/CE→communicator occurs. PC/CE computer  185  updates communicator  100  with requisite information for communication services  175 . The designation of which information is to be updated at step  415  is configurable. For e-mail client  176 , updated information includes an address for e-mail server  190 , login information and, optionally dependent upon e-mail policy as described hereinabove, actual e-mail messages, list of contacts and calendar information, as indicated at step  420 . For instant messaging client  177 , updated information includes login information, list of contact and, optionally a discussion history, as indicated at step  425 . 
         [0050]    At step  430 , PC/CE computer  185  is switched from active mode to a low-power mode, such as a sleep or a hibernation mode, and the method advance to step  435 . 
         [0051]    Referring back to step  405 , if it is determined that PC/CE computer  185  is turned off, then at step  435  communicator  100  operates communication services  175 , based on pre-defined configurations. Communication services  175  may have limited functionalities when operated entirely by communicator  100 . E-mail client  176 , for example, may enable display of e-mail headers and text, but may not enable attachment and picture viewing, as indicated at step  440 . Instant messaging client  177 , for example, may support simple text chat, but may not support graphical or audible icons, referred to variously as “emoticons” and “winks”, as indicated at step  445 . 
         [0052]    At step  450 , PC/CE computer  185  is turned on. At step  455  synchronization from communicator→PC/CE occurs. Communicator  100  updates PC/CE computer  185  with relevant information in order that PC/CE computer  185  can seamlessly take over the communication services from communicator  100 . The method then proceeds to step  410 . 
         [0053]    In the foregoing specification, the invention has been described with reference to specific exemplary embodiments thereof. It will, however, be evident that various modifications and changes may be made to the specific exemplary embodiments without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.