Abstract:
A wireless network service connects to current desktop enabled systems and provides mobile users with access to desktop applications. The service connects to applications and databases storing user information and converts information from the application and database formats to a wireless format, and vice-versa. Mobile users connect to an internet through wireless devices, and send and receive information from the wireless network service. The mobile user can manipulate information contained in familiar applications and databases from a mobile platform, and submit requests for network operations, such as printing and faxing. Familiar programs such as electronic messaging, calendars and contact lists are all accessible on a mobile basis. The wireless network service provides standard interface connections to easily install with existing programs and systems. The service uses platform independent protocols with standard interface connections to permit flexible and simple upgrades or modifications.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0002]    The present invention relates generally to providing information to individuals or groups through wireless connections. More specifically, the present invention provides a system and method that permits users to receive, manipulate and send information over wireless connections, based on information managed at a fixed location related to an organization.  
           [0003]    2. Description of the Related Prior Art  
           [0004]    The present business enterprise and organization environment relies heavily on information disseminated in electronic format. E-mail, voice mail and web page content are just a few well known means for providing users access to needed information related to operations within the enterprise or organization. Groups or individuals within an organization typically desire or need to share information to reach their various goals and accomplish assigned tasks. A variety of software and systems are available to assist individuals and groups in the management of information and information flow between various entities.  
           [0005]    With the advent of wireless or mobile communications, many organizations have attempted to increase productivity and efficiency for individuals or groups that may be remote from an organization center, such as occurs when traveling. The promise of wireless communication has encouraged many organizations to share information among individuals and groups in a format suitable for wireless access. For example, an individual may have a mobile telephone equipped to receive and send e-mail messages in relation to performing organization related tasks. The individual may communicate and organize information through a variety of media including audio and text.  
           [0006]    Mobile telephones and Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) may also be wireless enabled to receive information available typically on an Internet web page. These wireless devices receive web page like content transmitted using Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) and containing eXtensible Markup Language (XML) directives for information display. Accordingly, an individual can access an Internet web page featuring WAP enabled content that provides organization information generally, or specific to the individual.  
           [0007]    Within an organization, electronically stored information is typically shared based on the needs of individuals or groups. For example, individuals within one department may need access to information and applications that are irrelevant to any other department&#39;s operation. Accordingly, when the need arises to transmit information between individuals and groups, a variety of organization based platforms can be used. Examples of means for sharing electronically stored data include e-mail, instant messaging, voice mail, calendar appointments, database content, web page content, facsimile transmission and remote printing. Typically, these types of information sharing require a substantial support infrastructure, and consume large amounts of processing resources.  
           [0008]    If an individual requires access to information while located remotely from the organization, their options may be limited to the simple examples above, e-mail and web page access. Because of the resources required to process the more sophisticated techniques of information sharing, a mobile user is unlikely to participate significantly using a mobile phone or PDA.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0009]    In view of the above discussion, it is an object of the present invention to overcome the drawbacks present in the state of the art.  
           [0010]    Briefly stated, according to the present invention, there is provided a wireless network service that connects to current desktop enabled systems and provides mobile users with access to desktop applications. The service connects to applications and databases storing user information and converts information from the application and database formats to a wireless format, and vice-versa. Mobile users connect to an internet through wireless devices, and send and receive information from the wireless network service. The mobile user can manipulate information contained in familiar applications and databases from a mobile platform, and submit requests for network operations, such as printing and faxing. Familiar programs such as electronic messaging, calendars and contact lists are all accessible on a mobile basis. The wireless network service provides standard interface connections to easily install with existing programs and systems. The service uses platform independent protocols with standard interface connections to permit flexible and simple upgrades or modifications.  
           [0011]    According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a wireless information exchange system, comprising: a wireless device, a network connectable to the wireless device, an information processor connectable to the network, the processor and the wireless device operable to exchange wireless format information through the network, a database accessible by the processor and the processor can store and retrieve information in the database thereby providing the wireless device with access to database information.  
           [0012]    According to another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a method of exchanging wireless information, comprising: providing a connection between a wireless device and an information processor having access to information stored in a database, exchanging wireless format information between the wireless device and the processor, converting information between a database format and a wireless format and exchanging information between the processor and the database.  
           [0013]    According to another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a processor operable to execute a program code from a storage memory, the program code comprising: a first code segment executable to provide a connection between a wireless device and an information processor having access to information stored in a database, a second code segment executable to exchange wireless format information between the wireless device and the processor, a third code segment executable to convert information between a database format and a wireless format and a fourth code segment executable to exchange information between the processor and the database.  
           [0014]    According to another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a computer readable media containing a program code executable to provide a wireless information exchange, the program code comprising: a first code segment executable to provide a connection between a wireless device and an information processor having access to information stored in a database, a second code segment executable to exchange wireless format information between the wireless device and the processor, a third code segment executable to convert information between a database format and a wireless format and a fourth code segment executable to exchange information between the processor and the database.  
           [0015]    According to another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a computer network for deploying a wireless information exchange, comprising: a wireless device, a network connectable to the wireless device, an information processor connectable to the network, the processor and the wireless device operable to exchange wireless format information through the network, a database accessible by the processor and the processor can store and retrieve information in the database thereby providing the wireless device with access to database information. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0016]    The above, and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention, will become apparent from the following description read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 1 is a connectivity diagram showing various components and their interaction according to the present invention;  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 2 is a diagram of user interface levels for data access and presentation according to the present invention; and  
         [0019]    FIGS.  3  is a diagram of the conceptual structure of the system according to the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0020]    The present invention provides a system and method for collective wireless access to operational information by members of an organization. The system permits individuals and groups belonging to the organization to efficiently exchange information with applications and each other on a variety of levels while at remote locations. The system is easily applied to existing systems to take advantage of prior resource investments. As systems or applications are upgraded, the system can be simply modified and expanded to meet the needs of new applications.  
         [0021]    Referring now to FIG. 1, interconnection between various components of a wireless information exchange system  10  according to the present invention is shown. System  10  preferably includes an organization intranet/LAN  12 , which provides information services for users within the organization. Users may be directly connected to organization intranet/LAN  12  through a workstation  15 , for example. Workstation  15  preferably acts as a client for accessing server based information and applications. A wireless user server  14  preferably is connected to intranet/LAN  12  for providing access to wireless enabled information according to the present invention. An application server  16  preferably provides access to applications such as, for example, messaging applications, word processing applications, or presentation applications. An SQL server  18  provides a database engine and data storage for users and applications accessing intranet/LAN  12 . An Internet server  20  provides Internet services for formatting, sending and receiving information on an Internet  30 .  
         [0022]    Intranet/LAN  12  provides connections to permit sharing of facsimile and print resources through fax service  24  and print service  26 . Intranet/LAN  12  is also connected to external systems, such as Internet  30 , through a secure firewall  28 . Information available to intranet/LAN  12  can thus be transmitted to Internet  30 , while secure information can be received by passing through firewall  28 .  
         [0023]    A WAP gateway  32  connects a RAS  34  to Internet  30  and permits WAP enabled devices  36  to receive XML formatted content, for example. Wireless devices  36  can transmit and receive information to/from a radio tower  35 , which is connected to RAS  34 . Accordingly, WAP enabled content can be sent and received between intranet/LAN  12  and wireless devices  36 .  
         [0024]    Referring now to FIG. 2, user settings and information access permissions are illustrated. Various users, i.e., users  40  and  42 , each have a profile  41  and  43 , respectively. Profiles  41  and  43  define individual settings and preferences for users  40  and  42  respectively. For example, user  40  may set a particular wireless device description in profile  41 .  
         [0025]    Users  40  and  42  preferably belong to various groups  50 - 55 , depending on application and information access needs. For example, user  40  is shown as being a member of groups  50  and  53 , while user  42  is shown as being a member of groups  53  and  54 . Users  40  and  42  both have permissions and access to information defined for group  53 , while neither have permissions or access to group  52 .  
         [0026]    Profiles  41  and  43 , together with membership in groups  50 - 55 , determine the wireless content and information format available to users  40  and  42 , respectively. User setting determine information format through an extensible Script Language (XSL)  58 , which is used to derive XML  59  for the presentation of user information on wireless devices  36 . Settings in profiles  41 ,  43  and  46 , coupled with access permissions defined by membership in groups  50 - 55 , determine the parameters of XSL  58 , and thus the inclusion and formatting of XML  59 .  
         [0027]    Referring now to FIG. 3, a conceptual structure of system  10  according to the present invention is shown. Wireless user server  14  is shown broken into components of a wireless user service  72  and a service connector  78 . Wireless service  72  provides various features to achieve delivery of wireless accessible information. A user directory  74  contains the user preferences stored in profiles  41  and  43  of FIG. 2, for example. The user preferences provide settings for a user object model that permits other processes to handle information transmitted to and received form wireless devices  36  (FIG. 1) operated by a particular user. User preferences are preferably stored in SQL server  18 , and organized in user directory  74  when needed.  
         [0028]    Access to information contained in application server  16  typically requires a connection maintained between wireless user service  72  and application server  16 . A single access typically begins with the establishment of a connection between wireless user service  72  and application server  16 , after which desired data can be retrieved. Once the desired data is retrieved, the connection is eliminated.  
         [0029]    The establishment and elimination of a connection can be costly in terms of performance criteria and overall system responsiveness. Accordingly, a portion of memory in a cache  75  is set aside to store a number of open connection links. When information from application server  16  is needed, wireless user service  72  simply selects a connection link from cache  75  to quickly gain access to application server  16 . Once the desired information is retrieved, the connection is not closed, but simply marked as available by wireless user service  72 . This scheme permits multiple data accesses with little overhead to improve overall performance.  
         [0030]    Cache  75  also provides a storage mechanism by which large volumes of information can be sent to a wireless device  36  with a limited memory or resource availability. The information which wireless device  36  cannot receive is stored in cache  75 , and transferred to wireless device  36  as the user calls for it. By caching the requested information in this way, no further processing is required to retrieve the information called for by wireless device  36 . Wireless user service  72  simply transmits the preformatted data to wireless service  36  when called for from cache  75 .  
         [0031]    A wireless service administration  76  provides a tool by which user preferences and application settings may be maintained. Administration  76  permits object model settings for each user to be made, which are then stored in a user profile, such as profile  41 , available on SQL server  18 . Some features for which administration  76  permits settings are language, wireless device type, menus available and message templates. An administrator or the user may select various settings through administration  76  to customize their profiles.  
         [0032]    An XML service  77  in wireless user server  72  allows information returned as a result of application service and information requests to be formatted in XML. The information obtained from SQL server  18  and the application operations from an application server  16  provide data to XML service  77 , which in turn renders the date in XML format. XML service  77  uses settings in an XSL style sheet containing settings derived from user profiles to render XML data. The XML data is then returned to Internet server  20  for transfer to wireless device  36 .  
         [0033]    Wireless user server  14  also preferably includes service connector  78 , which includes an application connector  80  and a directory connector  79 . Connectors  79  and  80  provide a standard interface for connection to SQL server  18  and application server  16 , while processing data in a format suitable for use by wireless user service  72 . According to this scheme, wireless user server  14  becomes much more flexible in terms of installation setup, and for system upgrades. For example, if a new version or upgrade of SQL server  18  is installed, directory connector  79  still provides the same standard interface to SQL server  18 , thus permitting seamless integration.  
         [0034]    Internet server  20  provides an interface between wireless devices  36  and wireless user server  14 . Wireless user server  14  transfers XML data to Internet server  20  for transmission to WAP enabled wireless devices  36  in a Wireless Markup Language (WML) format, for instance. Internet server  20  also communicates network operations related information to a network operations service  60 .  
         [0035]    Network operations service  60  handles tasks related to normal network services such as, for example, authentication  65 , error handling  66 , licensing tracking  67  and print and fax rendering  68 . Each of these services is used by system  10  to provide the user of wireless device  36  with additional functionality.  
         [0036]    For example, a wireless user can request a fax or print job remotely. The request is handled by Internet server  20 , which obtains any required information from wireless user server  14 , and submits the job to network operations service  60 . Network operations service  60  accepts job information from Internet server  20  and renders the fax or print through print and fax rendering  68 . The rendered fax or print is then submitted to a virtual print queue  69 , which causes the job to be properly routed to a printer service  62  or a fax service  64 , which can be local or remote.  
         [0037]    Network operations service  60  also handles a session setup  70  between Internet server  20  and wireless device  36 . Session setup  70  can include security accesses and protocols for wireless devices  36  to access wireless user server  14  and Internet server  20 . A schedule server  71  also provides network operations service  60  with the ability to run scheduled updates or activities based on, or instance, user preferences. For example, schedule server  71  can operate to retrieve the latest information on organization activities, or update news events selected by the user.  
         [0038]    System  10  according to the present invention also permits the feature of load balancing when presented with large numbers of requests. According to one embodiment of the present invention, load balancing is provided on a connection oriented basis. When user preferences are cached in cache  75 , system  10  preferably maintains connection oriented service with load balancing. That is, rather than distributing IP packets among various processors for handling, a user of wireless device  36  maintains a connection with one processor, through which all connection related IP packets flow. This arrangement permits increased performance through the use of cached information, without requiring connection caches for each application server  16  that is accessed.  
         [0039]    Referring again to FIG. 1, secure connections between wireless devices  36  and intranet/LAN  12  are preferably provided. Typically, communications between wireless devices  36  and RAS  34  is encrypted according to the Global System for Mobile communications (GSM) standard. However, the communication transfer between RAS  34  and WAP gateway  32  is generally provided in plain text. To avoid security risks, a connection standard for secure communications, Wireless Transport Layer Security (WTLS), is used to provide a secure connection between RAS  34  and WAP gateway  32 .  
         [0040]    In addition, the communication between WAP gateway  32  and intranet/LAN  12  is preferably secured. A secure connection can be achieved between these components using Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) protocol. In this configuration, both intranet/LAN  12  and WAP gateway  32  use SSL. Further security for the system is provided by authentication  65  shown in FIG. 3. A successful authentication of a user creates a unique session ID that is destroyed once the session ends.  
         [0041]    System  10  according to the present invention is also distributable. For example, several wireless user servers  14  can be operated in different locations and connected to distribute performance operations. A group of users accessing one location can receive local performance, while being able to use data at remote locations.  
         [0042]    According to the present invention, system  10  provides full user support for applications on a wireless or mobile basis. Wireless users can send and receive e-mail, look up contacts and generally access information on application server  16 . Users can manipulate data in application server  16  and SQL server  18  through wireless user server  14  to provide features such as, for example, calendar manipulation and scheduling for various users, review documents stored in cache  75  and request prints and faxes delivered to globally accessible locations.  
         [0043]    Because system  10  permits WAP enabled information to be transferred to mobile phones, for example, a user can select a telephone number appearing in a text message for immediate dialing on the mobile phone. Users also can take advantage of support provided for personal digital signatures, including newly defined user signatures.  
         [0044]    It should be clear that the organization of components in system  10  are presented on a conceptual basis, and many possible arrangements are available. For example, Internet server  20 , SQL server  18 , wireless user server  14  and application server  16  can physically reside on one machine. In addition, WAP gateway  32  can be located on an opposite side of firewall  28 . Alternatively, system  10  can be configured to have wireless user server  14  located remotely, on an opposite side of firewall  28  than is shown in FIG. 1.  
         [0045]    Although the present invention has been described in relation to particular embodiments thereof, other variations and modifications and other uses will become apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the present invention is not to be limited to the specific disclosure herein, but only the appended claims.