Abstract:
Systems and processes are provided that relate to storing, accessing, searching, and automatically updating of secure documents stored on a USB device. The systems and processes include a USB device that stores a document set, a web service that provides updated documents for the document set, and a content management application that uploads the updated documents to the web service.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    The systems and processes disclosed herein relate generally to accessing, searching, and automatically updating of documents stored on a transportable device. More particularly, the systems and processes disclosed herein relate to the utilization of universal serial bus (USB) technology to allow users to store, access and update documents. 
         [0002]    USB drives generally consist of a memory storage device, such as a flash memory, that is integrated with a USB interface. The USB interface allows the USB drive to be connected to any computer that has a USB port. Typically, a USB drive includes a small printed circuit board that is protected inside a plastic, metal, or rubberised case. Often, a USB drive is designed to be carried in a pocket, or on a lanyard or keychain. The USB interface can be protected by a cap or lid, or is sometimes designed to retract into the case of the USB drive when not in use. Computers read and write USB drive data using the same system commands as for a mechanical disk drive, with the storage appearing to the computer operating system and user interface as just another drive. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY 
       [0003]    The systems and processes disclosed herein relate to storing, accessing, and automatically updating documents in a stored document set. The systems and processes described above preferably allow a user to store a document set on a USB device, access the document set from any computer equipped with a USB port, and automatically update the document set when the computer is connected to the Internet. 
         [0004]    In one aspect, a system for storing, accessing, and automatically updating documents in a stored document set is provided that includes a USB device adapted to store a document set, a web service adapted to communicate with the software application on the USB device; and a a content management application. The USB device includes a memory and a software application. The web service is adapted to provide master copies of documents to the USB device to update the document set. The content management application uploads the master copies of documents to the web service. 
         [0005]    In another aspect, a system for storing, accessing, and automatically updating documents in a stored document set is provided that includes a USB device including a memory and a software application, a computer that is connected to the USB device and to the Internet; a web service that includes a master copy of each document in the document set stored on the USB device, and a content management application that uploads the master copies of documents to the web service. The USB device stores a document set and each document in the document set includes a version identifier. The computer is connected to the Internet. The web service communicates with the software application on the USB device when the USB device is connected to the computer and the software application is launched, and provides the master copy to the software application of the USB device when the master copy has a more recent version identifier than the version identifier of the document on the USB device. 
         [0006]    In a third aspect, a process for automatically updating documents in a document set stored on a USB device is provided that includes: connecting the USB device to a computer, where the USB device stored a document set and includes a browser; launching the browser of the USB device; connecting the browser of the USB device to a web service; and updating any outdated document in the document set on the USB device based upon master copy versions of each document stored by the web service. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]    Specific examples have been chosen for purposes of illustration and description, and are shown in the accompanying drawings, forming a part of the specification. 
           [0008]      FIG. 1  illustrates a system for storing, accessing., and automatically updating documents. 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  illustrates a flow diagram for automatically updating documents using the system of  FIG. 1 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0010]      FIG. 1  illustrates one example of a system for storing, accessing, and automatically updating documents, the system being designated generally at  100 . The system  100  includes a USB device  102 , a computer  104  that has a display device  106  and user interface device  108 , a web service  110 , and a content management application  112 . 
         [0011]    The USB device  102  includes memory and a software application that can be launched from the USB device  102  when the USB device  102  is connected to the computer  104  via a USB port (not shown). The USB device  102  can be marked electronically to allow the software stored on the USB device  102  to verify that it is being launched from an authorized USB device  102 . 
         [0012]    The USB device  102  can be provided to a user with an initial document set stored in the memory of the USB device  102 . The initial document set can include, for example, one or more documents in an electronic format. Preferably, the one or more documents in a document set are in a searchable format. In one example, an initial document set can be provided that includes one or more documents in a portable document format (PDF), preferably searchable PDF. In other examples, the initial document set can be in other computer readable formats, including, but not limited to html documents, xml documents, and common office formats such as, for example, Microsoft Word®, Excel®, or PowerPoint®. The initial document set can also be encrypted, which can provide a measure of protection against unauthorized access. Alternatively, the USB device  102  does not have to include an initial document set. In such a example, a user could be provided with a USB device  102 , and a document set could be transferred from the web service  110  the first time that the user connects the USB device  102  to a computer  104  and launches the software application on the USB device  102  to allow the software application to communicate with web service  110 . 
         [0013]    As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , computer  104  includes a display  106  and a user interface  108 . Display  106  can be any suitable display device, such as, for example, a monitor. User interface  108  can be any suitable user interface, such as, for example, a keyboard, mouse, touchpad, stylus, or any combination thereof. The computer  104  is preferably connected to the Internet. USB device  102  can connect to the computer  104  via a USB port located on the computer  104 . When the USB device  102  and the computer  104  are connected, a user can utilize the user interface  108  and the display  106  to launch the software application on the USB device  102 . Alternatively, the computer can automatically launch the software application on the USB device  102  once a user connects the USB device  102  to the computer  104 . Once launched, the software application on the USB device utilizes the connection that the computer  104  has to the Internet to communicate with the web service  110  to automatically update any document in the document set that is out of date. 
         [0014]    The web service  110  includes a master copy of each document in a document set that is intended to be stored on the USB device  102 . The content management application  112  can be utilized by a content manager to upload documents to the web service  110 . Preferably, the content management application  112  is a web-based application that can be utilized to upload documents and apply a version designation or identifier to each document. The document management application can also mark which version of a document is the master copy that is ready for publication, or the document management application  112  and the web service  110  can be set up to identify the most recent version of a document as being the master copy. In one example, the content management application  112  allows documents for a document set to be uploaded by a document manager and placed into a directory structure. If desired, new versions, including, for example, updates or revisions, of each document can be created over time, and can be provided to the web service  110  as a new master copy. Any new master copy of any document can then be provided to the USB device  102  and stored thereon through the automatic updating process when the software application on the USB device  102  is launched and communicates with the web service  110 . 
         [0015]    The software application on USB device  102  is preferably a browser application. The browser launches directly from the USB device  102  and communicates to the web service  110  when the computer  104  is connected to the Internet. The browser can include features including, but not limited to, notation and search. For example, the browser can allow a user to bookmark pages of any document, and preferably to make notes in the bookmark. A search feature can allow the user to search across multiple documents stored in the document set on the USB device  102 . The results of a search can preferably appear in a ranked order, and more preferably can also highlight the search term or terms. Search results of tabular data can be presented in tabular form with row headings. 
         [0016]    A process for automatically updating documents in a document set to be stored on a USB device is illustrated generally at  200  in  FIG. 2 . As shown, a USB device can be connected to a computer in step  202 , preferably via a USB port. In step  204 , a user can launch the software application on the USB device, in this instance the USB device browser. The USB device browser connects to the web service in step  206 . The USB device browser then sends a document manifest to the web service in step  208 . The document manifest preferably includes the document version identifier for each document currently stored on the USB device. In step  210 , the web service compares the document versions in the document manifest to the master copy for each document. In each instance where the document version provided in the document manifest is outdated, and the master copy is a more recent version of the document, the web service will identify that the document should be updated on the USB device. The web service builds an install,package in step  212  that contains the master copies of any documents to be updated on the USB device. Preferably, the builds a single install package containing all of the documents to be updated on the USB device. The web service can then provide the install package to the USB device browser, or otherwise notify the USB device browser to install the more recent master copies. In step  214 , the USB device browser receives, or downloads, the install package. Preferably, the USB device browser replaces any outdated documents with the new master copy of that document. In step  216 , the automatic document update is complete. Preferably, the automatic updating process occurs each time the software application On the USB device  102  is launched and communicates with the web service  110 . 
         [0017]    Referring back to  FIG. 1 , once an automatic document update is complete, a user can utilize the computer  104  to access the document set stored on the USB device  102 . For example, the user can use the display  106  and user interface  108  of the computer in conjunction with the software application on the USB device to search the document set or view individual documents in the document set. 
       EXAMPLE 
       [0018]    A USB device was created that includes a document set relating to compliance with the regulations for shipping dangerous goods. The document set includes the following regulatory information: the Oct. 1, 2006 edition of 49 CFR (Code of Federal Regulations); the 2007 edition of A.I.R. Shipper™; the Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG); the Dangerous Goods Advisor™ for 49 CFR and A.I.R. Shipper™; and a Combined Dangerous Goods List (cDGL). A.I.R. Shipper™ is a reference designed for shippers that has been reviewed and approved by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), and that was developed in compliance with ICAO standards. The ERG contains the latest dangerous goods lists from the United Nations Recommendations, as well as important emergency information for first responders. The Dangerous Goods Advisor™ contains hazardous materials tables. The cDGL combines dangerous goods entries from US DOT, A.I.R. Shipper™, International Air, and International Maritime to compare the top 25 dangerous goods table entries for all modes of transportation. 
         [0019]    The USB device also includes a custom browser that allows a user to access and navigate the document set. The documents in the document set are searchable PDF documents. The browser allows a user to conduct keyword searches of the documents. When a user connects the USB device to a computer that is connected to the Internet, an automatic update process is performed in the manner described with reference to  FIG. 2  above, and the documents in the document set can be updated based on any master copies that have been revised or updated by a document content manager. 
         [0020]    From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that although specific examples have been described herein for purposes of illustration, various modifications may be made without deviating from the spirit or scope of this disclosure. It is therefore intended that the foregoing detailed description be regarded as illustrative rather than limiting, and that it be understood that it is the following claims, including all equivalents, that are intended to particularly point out and distinctly claim the claimed subject matter.