RSSMcAfee Granted Wireless Update Patent
By Ed Oswald | Published May 2, 2006, 11:18 AM
McAfee said Monday that the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office had awarded it a patent regarding methods to update computer files on mobile devices. The company says that the technology could be used to update a file on a mobile device with a newer versions that exists on another device.
For example, a communication link is established between two devices with the file. The wireless device first determines whether the file stored is updated. If there is an up-to-date version on the other device, the file is downloaded. Once the file is fully downloaded, it can then replace the older file.
Additionally, the technology allows for the file to be downloaded in segments, as wireless devices are not always connected. The device would know which segments need to be downloaded and would restart the download from that point.
"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."
McAfee says that the method would also save bandwidth, as the complete file would not need to be updated, rather only the segments of the file that have changed.
No specific methods of usage were given, but the technology could be used for the company's mobile antivirus offerings. McAfee could also license the technology to other companies that need to download files over a wireless connection from nearby devices.
Patents are bad for software businesses. McAfee should know better and get into Us patent reform discussions.
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|I would expect claim and counter-claim over this one... after all, a connection is a connection, whether wired or wireless, and replacing parts of a file isn't new either. I'm with a number of other posters here - the USPTO shoots itself in the foot again.
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|Just my opinion--> the patent office has no place in the information age, and should be abolished.
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|The patent office is a g** d*** joke in this country.
How long until they grant a patent for "zeroes and ones," and the nobody will be able to use binaries.
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|After frivolous lawsuits, here comes frivolous patents! Of course a company should defend its IP but most of the time they end up stifling innovations while other companies try to push the envelop by rebundling technologies already patented... Dog eat dog world.
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|Id like to know what is so patentable about that!
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|So if I hack my phone and replace a system file with one infected by a virus, then mark it as newer than everybody elses version, I can walk around and have everbody elses phone download it automatically?
Good job McAfee!
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|ummm, this is art?
just seems like common sense for transmitting over wireless net
i see a lawsuit coming (maybe McAfee needs money)
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|Here we go with all the patent crap again.
Can I get a patent on taking air in through the nose or mouth?
Then pay up you dog faces!
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|As patent is quite important for compagny or indidual to protect their idea.
The Patent Office should take a larger insight for finding if a patent is obvious or not. Problem is that who should they ask to audit if the patent is whether obvious or not ?
It seems more a protective patent than a patent designed to sue other compagnies.
I agree that the patent system needs to be revised, at least for computer software. As most patent infringing lawsuit certainly blocks innovation.
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