RU2402801C2 - Portable computing environment - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: information technology.

SUBSTANCE: connection line is set up between a portable device and a host device. The portable device is equipped with a data processing unit and is configured to carry out a process which is accessible for the host device. The host device contains an application configured for interaction with the process on the portable device. The process on the portable device provides data for the application on the host device through the communication line. The application uses these data to provide a computing environment. Possibility of interaction is not provided if a time identifier associated with the process presents a time moment existing after the time moment presented by the time identifier, which is defined by the timing unit of the portable device or host device.

EFFECT: provision for a portable computing medium for a personal computer.

35 cl, 12 dwg

Description

State of the art

A personal computer (PC) has traditionally been designed for use by an individual. The user can usually select and configure the software installed on the PC to support personal preferences, functioning and stability of the computer. However, when a PC is shared by several users, the various requirements of these users often affect the system adversely. For example, different users may need to install different applications that may not be compatible with each other. Also, one user may need to configure the operating environment in a shared PC in some form that is not valid for other users. In addition, sharing a PC with multiple users can cause security issues.

One available system involves storing the operating system and software on a flash drive connected to a universal serial bus (USB, USB). The system is similar in concept to a portable drive containing data that is mainly stored on an internal hard drive on a PC. However, this system is based on a shared PC to run software that is stored on a USB drive. For example, it may be necessary to boot the operating system from a shared PC onto a USB drive, which continues to create operational and security issues. It may also be necessary to download software on a USB drive to a PC hard drive, which is a lengthy process and can significantly affect operation and protection.

A system that provides a portable and device-independent computing environment for use in a shared PC continues to be unattainable to those skilled in the art.

Disclosure of invention

The described systems, methods and data structures are directed to a portable computing environment. A communication line is established between the portable device and the host device. The portable device is equipped with a data processing unit and is configured to perform a process available to the host device. The host device contains an application configured to interact with the process on the portable device. The process on the portable device provides data for the application on the host device using the communication line. The application uses this data to provide a computing environment.

In one aspect, a computing environment is created dynamically by a portable device on a host device. To provide this dynamic computing environment, data provided by a portable device, host device, or network servers can be used separately or together.

According to another aspect, the portable device may interact with applications provided by network servers. These applications can provide various kinds of services, such as activation services, authentication services, backup services, update services, content download services, or diagnostic services. For example, states stored in a portable device can be synchronized with data on a network server for update or backup purposes.

List of drawings

The aspects described above and many of the advantages of this invention will become more apparent and better understood when referring to the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the attached drawings, in which

Figure 1 - a possible system of portable computing environment.

Figure 2 is a possible process for providing a device-independent computing environment for a computing device.

Figure 3 is a possible process for identifying a portable device for a host device.

4 is a possible process of creating an instance of a process on a portable device.

5 is a possible process of interacting with a process on a portable device.

6 is a possible process for performing security checks in connection with access to a portable device.

7 is a possible process of duplicating states of a portable device at a remote location.

8 is a possible process for providing access to application services managed by a server in a communication network.

9 is a possible state upgrade process on a portable device.

Figure 10 is a possible communication between the portable device and the main device.

11 is a possible system for providing solutions to a portable computing environment.

Fig - a possible portable device for implementing the described systems and methods.

Detailed Description of a Preliminary Embodiment

Figure 1 depicts a system 100 of a portable computing environment. System 100 includes a portable device 105 and a host device 110. Both devices can communicate with server 115 via a communication network 120. Portable device 105 is a computing device configured to perform processes that can interact with applications running on other computing devices. The portable device 105 typically performs these processes using computing modules within the portable device 105. For example, the computing module in the portable device 105 may include one or more data processing units and memory. The portable device 105 may be configured with a non-volatile storage device for storing various types of information, for example, states associated with applications, operating environment, user data, authentication data, and the like.

The portable device 105 may be connected to the host device 110 using any kind of connection mechanism. For example, portable device 105 may be configured to connect to a port on host device 110, such as a Universal Serial Bus (USB) port, an IEEE 1394 port (i.e. FireWire), a serial port, a parallel port, a network port, a peripheral connection, or the like . The portable device 105 may also be connected to the host device 110 using a wireless connection such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, infrared, or other connections, radio frequency (RF), or optical.

The processes performed by portable device 105 may include any kind of application, for example, application services. The term “application service” or “web service” means an application configured to interact with other applications through one or more protocols, such as network protocols. Typically, application services are configured to transfer data to applications or to receive data from applications through any type of communication network. An application service can be identified by an identifier, such as an Internet protocol address (IP address) or a unified information resource identifier (URL, URL), so that other applications can easily find the application service and contact it.

Application services can also be configured to provide communication between applications that run on a variety of devices and operating environments. Application services can communicate with other applications using various universal standards. For example, application services can use Extensible Markup Language (XML) 20 for markup data, a simple Object Access Protocol (SOAP) for transferring data, a Web services description language (WSDL) to describe available services, or a universal subject and integration system UDDI) to list the services that are available. Application services can be implemented in any form of program code, for example, XML.

The portable device 105 may be configured to provide a computing environment for the application on the host device 110. For example, the process on the portable device 105 may configure the computing environment on the host device with settings preferable for a particular user associated with the portable device 105. In one implementation, the computing the environment may be temporarily dynamically executed on the host device. The states on the host device cannot be altered forever by the computing environment provided by the portable device 105. The host device 110 may be configured to restore previous settings when the portable device 105 is disconnected from the host device. Since the conditions associated with the computing environment are stored on the portable device 105, the host device 110 may be configured so as not to save any state associated with this environment. The ability to provide a temporary computing environment provides the ability to conveniently and securely share the host device 110 with multiple users.

The portable device 105 may be configured to communicate via communication network 120 with other computing devices, such as server 115. The portable device 105 may use a communication link established between host device 110 and communication network 120 to communicate with server 115. Although portable device 105 can independently provide services for host device 110, portable device 105 can be configured to provide these services with server 115 to create a more dynamic and more content-rich environment. For example, portable device 105 may be configured to use data and web services from server 115 to extend the computing environment directly provided by portable device 105 to host device 110. Portable device 105 may also be configured to mediate access to the computing environment provided by the server 115. With any configuration, the computing environment is typically provided to the host device 110 from the portable device 105, and not directly from the server 115.

The portable device 105 may be configured to determine the capabilities of the host device 110. The portable device 105 may configure processes running on the device to provide data based on the capabilities of the host device 110. For example, the portable device 105 may determine the display capabilities of the host device 110, such as size screen resolution or the like. The processes in portable device 105 may provide data that can be displayed correctly on host device 110.

Portable device 105 may be configured to communicate with server 115 for any kind of service. For example, portable device 105 may receive updated states for applications from server 115 and provides updated applications to host 110. Updated states may include replacing new versions of existing states, new states, or states in which some data is deleted. Portable device 105 may be configured to receive a state block for devices that are updated. The portable device 105 can also be configured to receive a new group of states that replaces all existing states in the portable device 105. The portable device 105 can be further configured to store states on the server 115. The states can be stored and retrieved as part of the normal operations of the portable device 105 or as backups.

The portable device 105 may be configured to determine whether the conditions in the device are valid. The conditions may be unreliable if some conditions are not met. For example, conditions in the portable device 105 may be unreliable after a certain period of time, for a certain level of use, after performing a specific task or similar condition. Validity of states may be associated with a period of use, for example, a licensing period. In one implementation, portable device 105 may comprise a timing unit. The portable device 105 may be configured to determine an expiration time associated with the states and current time from the timing unit. If the expiration time has elapsed relative to the current time, the portable device 105 may determine that the status has expired and may deny access to the states. Portable device 105 may be configured to re-validate states. For example, portable device 105 may provide the user with the ability to renew a license associated with the conditions that are stored in the device.

Portable device 105 may also be configured with mechanisms to provide protection. These security mechanisms may include the functionality associated with the Certificate Authority (CA). For example, portable device 105 may contain keys (eg, public / private keys) associated with a digital certificate from a CA. Keys can be used by registered users to perform authentication by portable device 105. Data stored in portable device 105 can be encrypted using the specified keys so that only correctly authenticated registered users can access the data.

To protect security mechanisms, portable device 105 may be configured to include CA-associated functionality within the components of portable device 105. For example, CA functionality may be embedded in the computing module of portable device 105. In this configuration, the keys associated with the CA are not should appear as elements in the software stack supported by portable device 105, and accordingly cannot be easily compromised by trying Ki hacking software. In this configuration, keys can only be forcibly obtained by physically reconfiguring portable device 105.

The portable device 105 may be configured to receive authentication data in any form of data entry mechanism. For example, portable device 105 may receive authentication data from host device 110, which may provide a data input interface for user authentication data input. The portable device 105 may also be configured with a data input interface so that users can enter authentication data directly into the portable device 105. The data input interface on the host device 110 or on the portable device 105 may include any kind of interface configured to allow input user authentication data. For example, the authentication data input interface may include a keyboard, biometric reader, image recognition device, or other data input mechanisms. The biometric reader may include a fingerprint reader, a retinal scanner, a speech recognition device, a chemical detector, or the like. The portable device 105 may be configured to receive data from an authentication data input and user authentication interface using this data.

The portable device 105 may also be configured to receive executable instructions (or codes) from the host device 110 or server 115. To avoid executing malicious codes, legal codes can be identified by authentication data, such as a key. For example, legal codes can be encrypted using a key that can be decrypted using the corresponding key embedded inside the data processing unit of portable device 105. Portable device 105 can be configured to execute only codes correctly encrypted with the correct key.

Portable device 105 may be further configured to interact with server 115 to perform security checks. For example, portable device 105 may allow authentication by server 115 of a user who requests access to portable device 105. Authentication data, such as usernames, passwords, personal information, biometric data, images, keys, or the like, may be transmitted to the server 115 for authentication. Server 115 may also be configured to verify states in portable device 105 before authorizing portable device 105 to perform normal operations.

The host device 110 is a computing device configured to execute an application that is configured to interact with a process on the portable device 105. The application may include a user interface that allows the user to interact with the process on the portable device 105. For example, the host device 110 may provide a browser (viewer) that interacts with the application service running on the portable device 105.

The host device 110 may be any type of computing device, for example, a desktop computer, laptop or notebook computer, personal digital assistant (PDA), cordless telephone, kiosk, or the like. Also, since the requirements for the host device 110 are minimal, computing devices that may have some processing and output capabilities, but which were usually not used to provide users with computing functionality, can also serve as the host device 110. For example, host device 110 may be a printer, a household appliance, audio or video equipment, an electronic clock, or the like.

The host device 110 typically comprises mechanisms for detecting and connecting to the portable device 105. For example, the portable device 105 may be detected by the host device 110 automatically via a wired connection (such as USB or FireWire) or a wireless connection (such as RF, BlueTooth, WiFi, or optical media). In one implementation, the host device 110 identifies the portable device 105 as a network device and establishes a connection between devices using network protocols through an existing physical communication mechanism.

The host device 110 may be configured to receive instructions from the portable device 105. The instructions may be executed to provide an operating environment on the host device 110. For example, the host device 110 may receive instructions from the portable device 105 to launch a browser that is configured to connect to an IP address or URLs associated with the application service provided by portable device 105.

The host device 110 may include a network interface for establishing a communication link with the network 120. The host device 110 may be configured to enable the portable device 105 to be connected to the network 120 using the specified communication line. Network 120 may include any type of network, such as a local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), Internet, or the like.

2 depicts a possible process 200 for providing a device-independent computing environment for a computing device. Process 200 may be used by a portable device to provide a computing environment for the host device. At step 205, a connection is established between the portable device and the host device. The connection can be any type of wired or wireless connection, for example FireWire, network, USB, Wi-Fi, RF, Bluetooth, infrared or the like.

At step 210, a portable device for the host device is identified. Devices can be configured according to a protocol (such as USB) that automatically identifies a portable device when it is connected to the host device. A possible process for identifying a portable device for a host device will be described according to FIG.

At step 215, an instance of the process is created on the portable device. A process may include one or more subprocesses. A process can refer to any kind of process that can interact with other processes in other devices. In one implementation, a process is an application service or web service. A possible process of creating an instance of a process on a portable device will be described according to FIG.

At step 220, optional security checks may be performed. Security checks can include any kind of authentication and authorization processes for users and applications. For example, security checks may include verification of a digital CA certificate associated with a portable device. An authentication process may be performed to authenticate keys associated with a digital certificate. A possible process for performing security checks on a portable device will be described according to FIG.

At 225, a process that is instantiated by a portable device is made available to the host device. For example, a process can be accessed from the host through an application provided by the host. The portable device may provide data to a host device for configuring an application (eg, a user interface) on a host device to interact with a process on a portable device. In one implementation, the process the instance of which is created by the portable device is an application service. The browser on the host device is configured to interact with the application service by browsing by the IP address or URL associated with the application service.

3 depicts a possible portable device identification process 300 for a host device. The process 300 begins when a connection is established between the portable device and the host device. At step 305, the host device requests a portable device. The host device can be configured for automatic detection and requests a portable device using the protocol associated with the connection.

At 310, the portable device identifies itself to the host device. In one implementation, the portable device may be identified to the host device as a network device. The host device can configure its network settings to negotiate with the portable device. For example, a host device may associate a network address with a portable device.

At step 315, the host device transmits data related to the device to the portable device. The data may include configurations of the host device, information regarding other devices within or connected to the host device, one or more IP addresses associated with the host device, and the like.

At 320, the portable device configures its processes using data received from the host device. For example, a portable device may associate an IP address or URL with an application service specified on the host device.

4 depicts a possible process 400 for creating an instance of a process on a portable device. Process 400 may be performed by the portable device during or after the power-on process. At 405, states associated with the portable device are determined. States can be associated with processes that can be performed on a portable device. For example, conditions may include personalized configuration data, configurations and applications, user data, or the like. The states can be retrieved from a computer readable storage medium in a portable device such as flash memory, a hard disk, or other storage devices. States can also be retrieved from a remote server via a communication line provided by the host device.

At 407, an instance of a process, such as an application service, is created using the retrieved states. The process may include any kind of application that is available to other applications on other devices. At 410, the application service is configured to be accessible to the application in the host device. For example, an application service may be associated with a web identifier, such as an IP address or URL. At step 415, the portable device waits for a request from the host device. An application from the host device can send a request for interaction with the application service through a user interface, such as a browser.

It should be clear that the process instantiated by the portable device can be configured to provide a computing environment for the application on the host device. The process on the portable device can configure the computing environment on the host device with settings that are preferable for a particular user associated with the portable device. In one implementation, the computing environment may be temporarily dynamically executable on the host device. In this implementation, the states on the host device are not changed forever by the computing environment provided by the portable device.

5 depicts a possible process 500 for interacting with a process on a portable device. Process 500 may be implemented by a host device to access an application service on a portable device. At step 505, data associated with the process on the portable device is received. The process may include an application service. At step 510, a user interface is initiated by the host device. The user interface may include any application that provides the possibility of user interactions, such as a browser. The user interface may be triggered in accordance with an automatic startup process that is received from a portable device or is part of a host device configuration. In one implementation, a portable device is detected when a portable device is connected to the host device. The host device can start the process, as prescribed by the combination of actions taken by the host device when a portable device is detected. Instructions are made available as the host device accesses the portable device.

At 515, communication is made by the user interface of the host device with the application service of the portable device. For example, a user interface in the form of a browser can be configured to be viewed by the IP address or URL associated with the application service. At block 520, the user interface allows the user to interact with the application service.

6 depicts a possible process 600 for performing security checks in connection with access to a portable device. Process 600 may be performed by a portable device to authenticate a registered user. At 605, a key associated with the portable device is retrieved. The key may be associated with a digital CA certificate. At 610, user authentication is requested. To perform user authentication, information associated with the key may be requested from the user. The information may be any kind of data, such as username, password, biometric authentication data, or the like.

At decision block 615, a determination is made whether the user is authenticated. If not, then process 600 proceeds to step 635, where the user’s request for access is denied. If the user is authenticated, the process proceeds to step 620, where encryption of communication between the portable device and the host device using the key can be performed.

At 625, other security checks are performed. For example, a portable device may perform security checks by connecting to other application services on the network. These other application services may perform additional security operations, such as verifying user authentication, verifying user authorization, verifying the validity of states within the portable device, or the like. At step 630, if all security checks are successfully completed, the user is allowed to access the application service on the portable device.

7 depicts a possible process 700 of duplicating states of a portable device at a remote location. Process 700 may be performed by a portable device to back up states on a network server. These conditions may include user data, personalized settings, configurations, and applications or the like. At 705, a determination is made to back up the states on the portable device. The determination can be initiated by any condition, such as the expiration of a predetermined period of time, exceeding the memory threshold, determining that updated conditions are available on the server, connecting the portable device to the host device, or the like.

At block 710, the portable device connects to the remote application service on the network. At 715, states controlled by the remote application service and corresponding to the portable device are determined. The corresponding states of the remote application service can be state backups on the portable device. At decision block 720, a determination is made as to whether an update is required. For example, an update may be required if the portable device contains new or changed states that are different from those corresponding to the portable device on the remote server. If an update is not required, then process 700 proceeds to block 730. If an update is required, then process 700 proceeds to block 725 where the states in the portable device and the states in the remote application service are synchronized. Then, the process 700 also continues at block 730, where the process returns to performing other operations for the portable device.

FIG. 8 depicts a possible process 800 for providing access to application services managed by a server on a network. Process 800 may be implemented by a portable device to provide remote application service to a host device. At step 805, the portable device is connected through the host device to the network. The portable device may use a communication line that has been installed by the host device.

At 810, a remote application service on the network is determined. The remote application service may include any kind of application. At 815, an access request from the host device is received. The response to the request can be carried out using the functionality provided by the remote application service. At block 820, the request is transmitted by the broker to the remote application service. For example, the portable device may present the remote application service to the host device as if the remote application service is running on the portable device. The portable device may also comprise a local application service with a remote application service to provide faster or improved user experience.

FIG. 9 depicts a possible state upgrade process 900 on a portable device. At 905, a startup process is initiated on the portable device. At decision block 910, a determination is made as to whether to update the states in the portable device. For example, state updates may be required after the expiration of the authorized use period. If state updating in the portable device is not required, then process 900 proceeds to step 930.

Returning to decision block 910, if state updating in the portable device is required, then process 900 proceeds to block 915, where a connection is established with the remote application service. The remote application service may be a software management server application. At 920, states to be updated are determined. At 925, new states are retrieved and embedded in the portable device. The update can be performed by replacing part of the states or all states in a portable device. At block 930, process 900 continues to execute the start-up process.

10 depicts a possible communication 1000 between a portable device and a host device. Possible communication 1000 may be implemented in any format of the communication medium and may follow any communication protocol. Possible communication 1000 may occur after connecting the portable device to the host device. The host device may transmit a message 1005 containing the device request to the portable device. In response, the portable device may transmit a data message 1010 for listing network devices. The host device can use this data to identify and list the portable device as a network-based computing device.

The host device may transmit a message 1015 with device data to the portable device. Device data may include any type of device information, such as network configuration, IP address associated with the host device, resolution and screen size, or other information related to hardware and software. In response, the portable device may transmit a configuration data message 1020 to the host device. Configuration data may include instructions for performing operations. For example, configuration data may include instructions to launch a browser that sends a request to a page identified by a specific address. The host device may transmit a message 1025 containing the requested, identified by the IP address or URL associated with the portable device.

The portable device may also transmit a message 1030 that contains a user authentication request. In response, the host device may transmit a message 1035 containing authentication information. If the authentication information is valid, then the portable device may transmit a message 1040 with data generated by the application service in the portable device. The host device may present data to the user using a user interface such as a web browser.

11 depicts a possible system 1100 for providing solutions to a portable computing environment. The solution of a portable computing environment provides the ability to create and implement by users a device-independent and individually customizable computing environment that is portable. This computing environment is typically provided by a portable computing device and can be implemented on any host device connected to the portable device. Computing environment configurations are presented as dynamic states that do not require storage on the host device. Thus, the user can implement his own individualized computing environment on any device available to him. A portable computing solution also provides the ability to efficiently and securely share a single computer between multiple users.

Provider 1105 makes the portable computing solution available to users, such as user 1110. The portable computing solution includes a portable device such as Intelligent FOB (IFOB) 1115. IFOB 1115 can be any kind of device with memory, a data processing unit, and a connection mechanism . For example, the IFOB 1115 device may be a USB device that contains a flash memory for storing states associated with the web service, and a data processing unit for executing the web service. To simplify the equipment, in one implementation, the IFOB 1115 is configured without a display screen or any data input means. The portable computing environment solution may also include software that provides web services 1120.

A portable computing solution can be provided in any way. To begin with, user 1110 receives IFOB 1115 from vendor 1105 or the other. The user 1110 may contact the provider 1105 to activate the portable device 1115. In response, the supplier 1105 may provide an access mechanism for the user 1110 to activate the portable device 1115. For example, the supplier 1105 may provide a code for activating processes in the portable device 1115. The supplier 1105 may also activate portable device 1115 by connecting and configuring the device. The portable device 1115 can be activated by directly connecting to a device controlled by a provider 1105, or by connecting through a shared computer 1125.

To control and support portable device 1115, provider 1105 can configure IFOB 1115 to connect to web services 1120. Web services 1120 are managed by provider 1105 and can perform any services for portable device 1115, such as activation services, authentication services, backup services , update services, content download services, diagnostic services, or the like.

Provider 1105 may also provide services for configuring shared computer 1125. For example, provider 1105 may provide software enabling the shared computer 1125 to communicate with the web service provided by IFOB 1115. The software may include a browser on shared computer 1125 , which is configured to interact with the web service provided by IFOB 1115.

12 depicts a possible portable device 1200 for implementing the described systems and methods. Portable device 1200 may be any kind of computing device. In the most basic configuration, portable device 1200 typically comprises at least one data processing unit 1205, memory 1220, storage device 1225, and connection interface 1235.

Depending on the exact configuration and type of computing device, memory 1220 may be volatile (such as RAM), non-volatile (such as ROM, flash memory, etc.), or some combination thereof. The data processing unit 1205 may be any kind of data processing unit with a processor and a memory controller. Data processing unit 1205 may comprise functionality associated with a CA. For example, data 1210 associated with a digital certificate may be embedded in data processing unit 1205.

The portable device 1200 may also include a storage device 1225, containing, for example, flash memory, magnetic or optical disks or tape, etc., or the like. A computer storage medium includes volatile and non-volatile memory and a storage device implemented by any method or technology for storing information, such as instructions read by a computer, data structures, program modules or other data. A memory 1220 and a storage device 1225 are possible variants of computer storage media. Computer storage media include, for example, RAM, ROM, electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), flash memory or other technology memory, CD-ROM, digital versatile disks (DVD) or other optical storage device, magnetic tapes, magnetic tape a magnetic disk storage device or other magnetic storage device, or any other medium that can be used to store the required information and which can be accessed by the portable device 1200. Any such nose The computer information enhancer may be part of the portable device 1200.

The portable device 1200 may also include a connection interface 1235. Such a connection interface 1235 allows the portable device 1200 to be connected to other devices. The connection interface 1235 may include any kind of communication mechanisms, such as USB, FireWire, Wi-Fi, RF, infrared, optical, or the like. The signals used by the connection interface 1235 to communicate with other devices are possible options for communication media. Communication media typically embodies computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data in a modulated information signal, such as a carrier or other transfer mechanism, and includes any information delivery media. The term "modulated information signal" means a signal, one or more of whose characteristics are set or changed in such a way as to encode information in this signal. As a possible embodiment, communication media includes, for example, wired media such as a wired network or a direct wired connection, and wireless media such as acoustic, RF, infrared, and other wireless media. The term “computer readable storage medium” as used herein includes both computer storage media and communication media. The described methods can be encoded on any storage medium readable by a computer in any form, such as data, instructions executed by a computer, etc.

The portable device 1200 may include a timing unit, such as a clock 1215. The clock 1215 provides a time reference for the portable device 1200, which can be used to determine whether the conditions in the memory 1220 or memory 1225 are valid. The portable device 1200 may include a controller 1230 power for controlling power from the main computing device and supplying power to the data processing unit 1205 and other components. The portable device 1200 may also be provided with a data input device 1240, such as a biometric sensor, a keyboard, a mouse, a pen, a speech input device, a touch input device, etc. All of these devices are known and do not require a detailed description.

Although a preferred embodiment of the invention has been described and illustrated, it is clear that various changes can be made without departing from the gist and without departing from the scope of the invention.

The following is a list of preferred embodiments of the invention.

E1. A method comprising:

connecting the portable device to the host device,

the process is performed by the computing module of the portable device, the process being configured to form a computing environment, and

providing a computing environment for the application running on the host device.

E2. The method of embodiment E1, wherein the process is an application service.

E3. The method of embodiment E1, wherein the application is a browser.

E4. The method of embodiment E1, wherein connecting the portable device to the host device is performed using a Universal Serial Bus (USB) interface.

E5. The method of embodiment E1, further comprising:

determination of the conditions associated with the process, and

configuring the computing environment based at least in part on these states.

E6. The method of embodiment E5, wherein the states represent settings selected by the user for the computing environment.

E7. The method of embodiment E1, further comprising identifying the portable device as a network device.

E8. The method of Embodiment E1, further comprising configuring the host device to communicate with the portable device based at least in part on a protocol that enables communication of processes on two different computing devices.

E9. The method of embodiment E1, further comprising:

receiving an address from the host device and

associating an address with a host device.

E10. The method as recited in embodiment E9, wherein the address includes at least one of an Internet Protocol (IP) address or a unified information resource pointer (URL).

E11. The method of Embodiment E9, further comprising communicating with the process using the address.

E12. The method of embodiment E1, further comprising:

connecting a portable device to the USB port of the host device,

determining an initiation procedure in the portable device, wherein the initiation procedure contains instructions for opening a browser at the address associated with the portable device, and

Automatic execution of the initiation procedure in the host device.

E13. The method of embodiment E12, wherein the initiation procedure comprises at least one of identifying an IP address, identifying a URL, establishing a connection to a server through a network, or launching a browser.

E14. The method of embodiment E1, wherein the user interface is configured to transmit the request to the address associated with the portable device.

E15. The method of embodiment E1, further comprising:

determining a key associated with the portable device, and

authentication of the portable device based at least in part on this key.

E16. The method of embodiment E1, further comprising:

retrieving a pointer inside the portable device, the pointer indicating whether the condition of use associated with the process is valid, and

denial of access to the process if the pointer indicates that the condition is not valid.

E17. The method of embodiment E1, wherein the indicator represents at least one of a time, an authentication state, or a version state.

E18. One or more computer-readable media encoded by computer-executable instructions that, when executed, cause at least one processor to execute the method of Embodiment E1.

E19. A device comprising:

a computing module having at least one processor,

an interface module configured to communicate with the host device,

a memory module containing instructions that upon execution cause implementation by at least one processor:

device identification for the host device,

establishing a communication line with the host device,

process execution in the computing module, and

enable the application on the host device to interact with the process at least partially based on the protocol.

E20. The apparatus of embodiment E19, wherein the process includes an application service configured to provide a computing environment.

E21. The apparatus of embodiment E20, wherein the application service is configured to provide data for an application running on the host device.

E22. The apparatus of Embodiment E21 wherein data is provided for an application on a host device using at least one of Extensible Markup Language (XML), Simple Object Access Protocol (SOAP), Web Services Description Language (WSDL), or Generic Subject System Descriptions and Integrations (UDDI).

E23. The apparatus of embodiment E20, wherein the memory module further comprises data representing states associated with an application service.

E24. The apparatus of embodiment E23, wherein the instructions further cause at least one state-based application service configuration of the application processor.

E25. The apparatus of embodiment E23, wherein the web service is configured to provide a computing environment, and the states represent personalized settings for the computing environment.

E26. The apparatus of embodiment E19, wherein the memory module includes at least one of flash memory, random access memory (RAM), a hard disk drive, or an optical drive.

E27. The apparatus of Embodiment E19, further comprising a timing unit configured to provide a first temporary identifier.

E28. The device according to a variant implementation E27, in which the instructions further cause the implementation of at least one processor:

determining a second temporary identifier associated with the process, and

denial of access to the process if the second temporary synchronization identifier is invalid relative to the first temporary identifier.

E29. The apparatus of embodiment E28, wherein the second time identifier is invalid if the second time identifier represents a time that is subsequent to another time represented by the first time identifier.

E30. The device as recited in embodiment E19, wherein the instructions further cause the at least one processor to identify the device for the host device as a network device.

E31. The apparatus of embodiment E19, wherein the communication line includes at least one of a universal serial bus (USB) connection, a radio frequency (RF) connection, a Wi-Fi connection (IEEE 802.11 standard), a Bluetooth connection, a FireWire connection (IEEE 1394 standard ), infrared compound or optical compound.

E32. The apparatus of embodiment E19, wherein the protocol includes at least one of a simple object access protocol (SOAP), a hypertext file transfer protocol (HTTP), a transmission control protocol (TCP), or a remote procedure call protocol (RPC).

E33. A device comprising:

a computing module having at least one processor,

an interface module configured to communicate with a portable device,

a memory module containing instructions that upon execution cause implementation by at least one processor:

portable device discovery

establishing a communication line with a portable device,

defining the web service provided by the portable device, and

providing a user interface for interacting with this web service.

E34. The apparatus of embodiment E33, wherein the instructions further cause the said at least one processor to provide the computing environment at least partially based on data provided by the web service.

E35. The apparatus of embodiment E34, wherein the instructions further cause said at least one processor to retrieve states from the portable device.

E36. The apparatus of embodiment E35, wherein the instructions further cause the at least one processor to configure the computing environment using the extracted states.

E37. The apparatus of embodiment E33, further comprising a network device configured to establish a connection to the network.

E38. The device of embodiment E37, wherein the network device is further configured to provide a connection for use by the portable device.

E39. One or more computer-readable media encoded using a data structure comprising:

the first data field representing the states associated with the process,

a second data field containing instructions that cause the portable device to execute said process, and

a third data field containing instructions that cause the user interface on the host device to interact with the process.

E40. One or more computer-readable media of embodiment E39, wherein instructions in a third data field further cause the host device to provide a computing environment.

E41. One or more computer-readable media of embodiment E40, wherein instructions in the third data field further cause the host device to configure the computing environment at least partially based on the states in the first data field.

E42. One or more computer-readable media of embodiment E39, wherein the process includes a web service.

E43. One or more computer-readable media of embodiment E39, wherein the data structure is encrypted using a key.

E44. One or more computer-readable storage media of embodiment E43, wherein the key is embedded in a data processing step of the portable device.

E45. A method for communicating between a portable device and a host device, including:

transmitting a message identifying the portable device as a network device, the portable device to the host device,

transmitting the identifier associated with the process running on the portable device, the portable device to the host device,

transmitting a request for interaction with the process by the host device to the portable device, the request containing an identifier, and

transferring the states associated with the process, the portable device to the host device.

E46. The method of Embodiment E44, further comprising transmitting, by the portable device to the host device, instructions for interacting with the process.

E47. The method of embodiment E44, wherein the identifier includes at least one of an IP address or a uniform information resource indicator (URL).

E48. A device comprising:

means for connecting the portable device to the host device,

means for executing the application service on the portable device, and

means for accessing the application by a browser running on the host device.

E49. The apparatus of embodiment E48, further comprising means for accessing the application to the process using the web services protocol.

E50. The apparatus of Embodiment E48, further comprising means for connecting the portable device to the host device as a network device.

E51. The apparatus of Embodiment E48, further comprising means for providing the process with a computing environment for the host device.

E52. The apparatus of embodiment E50, further comprising means for determining conditions associated with the portable device.

E53. The apparatus of Embodiment E51, further comprising means for personalizing a portable environment computing device using states.

E54. A method comprising:

connecting the portable device to the host device,

creating a process instance using the computing module of a portable device,

retrieving security information embedded in the portable device,

request authentication data from the host device,

determining whether the authentication data is valid, at least in part, based on the embedded security information, and

if the authentication data is valid, granting the application running on the host device access to the process on the portable device.

E55. The method of Embodiment E54, further comprising:

receiving executable instructions from the host device, and

authentication of executable instructions at least in part based on embedded security information, and

preventing the computing module from executing executable instructions if the executable instructions are not authenticated.

E56. The method of embodiment E54, wherein the security information includes a key associated with a digital certificate.

E57. The method of Embodiment E54, further comprising, if the authentication data is not valid, preventing the host device from accessing the process on the portable device.

E58. The method as recited in embodiment E54, wherein the authentication data includes at least one of a username, password, personal information, biometric data, keys, or authentication related information.

E59. The method of Embodiment E54, further comprising:

definition of a server in a communication network,

providing authentication data to the server and

receiving information from the server as to whether the authentication data is valid.

E60. The method of Embodiment E54, further comprising receiving authentication data from a data input interface of the portable device.

E61. The method of embodiment E54, further comprising receiving authentication data from a data input interface of the host device.

E62. The method of Embodiment E54, further comprising encrypting communication between the portable device and the host device at least in part based on security information.

E63. The method of Embodiment E54, further comprising encrypting states that are stored in the portable device, at least in part based on security information.

E64. The method of Embodiment E54, further comprising decrypting the states that are stored in the portable device, at least in part based on the security information.

E65. A device comprising:

a computing module having at least one data processing unit,

an interface module configured to communicate with the host device,

a memory module containing instructions that, when executed, cause the data processing unit to execute:

connections to the main unit,

creating an instance of the process configured to interact with the application on the host device,

retrieving security information embedded in a computing module,

receiving authentication data,

determining whether authentication data is valid, at least in part, from the security information, and

rejecting the request to interact with the process from the application on the host device, if the authentication data is not reliable.

E66. The apparatus of embodiment E65, wherein the security information is embedded in a data processing unit.

E67. The apparatus of embodiment E65, wherein the security information includes data associated with a Certificate Authority (CA).

E68. The apparatus of embodiment E67, wherein the security information includes a key associated with a digital CA certificate.

E69. The apparatus of embodiment E68, wherein the instructions further cause the data processing unit to encrypt the communication between the device and the host using the key.

E70. The apparatus of embodiment E68, wherein the memory module further comprises states encrypted using a key.

E71. The apparatus of embodiment E65, wherein the authentication data includes at least one of a username, password, personal information, biometric data, or a key.

E72. The apparatus of embodiment E65, further comprising a data input interface configured to receive authentication data.

E73. The apparatus of Embodiment E72, wherein the data input interface includes at least one of a keyboard, a biometric reader, a fingerprint reader, a retina scanner, a speech recognition device, a chemical detector, or an image recognition device.

E74. The apparatus of embodiment E65, wherein the instructions further cause the data processing unit to establish a communication line with a server in the communication network configured to perform security checks.

E75. The apparatus of embodiment E74, wherein the instructions further cause the authentication data to be provided by the data processing unit to the server for validation.

E76. The apparatus as recited in embodiment E74, wherein the instructions further cause states in the memory module to be provided by the data processing unit to the server for validation.

E77. A portable computing device comprising:

a first computer-readable medium encoded using a first data structure comprising:

the first data field containing security information,

a second computer-readable medium encoded using a second data structure comprising:

a second data field containing states associated with the process,

a third data field containing instructions that cause the portable computing device to perform authentication using security information, and

the fourth data field containing instructions that cause the application on the host device to interact with the process.

E78. The portable computing device of Embodiment E77, wherein the first computer-readable medium is integrated in the computing module of the portable computing device.

E79. The portable computing device according to embodiment E77, wherein the security information in the first data field includes at least one of a username, password, personal information, biometric data, key, or authentication related information.

E80. The portable computing device of Embodiment E77, wherein the security information in the first data field includes a key associated with a digital certificate.

E81. The portable computing device of Embodiment E80, wherein at least one of a second data field, a third data field, and a fourth data field is encrypted at least partially based on a key.

E82. The portable computing device of Embodiment E80, wherein the second data structure further comprises a fifth data field containing instructions that cause encryption by the portable computing device of communication with the host device at least partially based on the key.

E83. The portable computing device of Embodiment E77, wherein the second data structure further comprises a fifth data field containing instructions that cause the portable computing device to verify the states in the second data field using a server on the communication network.

E84. A device comprising:

means for establishing a communication line to the host device,

means for determining security information embedded in a component of the device,

means for storing states associated with the process in the device,

means for requesting authentication data,

means for determining whether the authentication data is reliable, at least in part, based on the security information, and

means for enabling the host device to access the process if the authentication data is valid.

E85. The apparatus of embodiment E84, further comprising means for recovering security information embedded in the computing module of the apparatus.

E86. The apparatus of Embodiment E84, further comprising means for executing a process using a computing module.

E87. The device of embodiment E84, further comprising means for receiving authentication data from a device data input interface.

E88. The apparatus of embodiment E84, further comprising means for receiving authentication data from a data input interface of the host device.

E89. The apparatus of Embodiment E84, further comprising means for encrypting communication between the apparatus and the host apparatus at least in part based on security information.

E90. The apparatus of embodiment E84, further comprising means for encrypting the states that are stored in the apparatus, at least in part based on the security information.

E91. The apparatus of Embodiment E84, further comprising means for decrypting the states that are stored in the portable device, at least in part based on the security information.

E92. The apparatus of Embodiment E84, further comprising means for verifying the authenticity of the authentication data by interacting with an application on a network server.

E93. The apparatus of Embodiment E84, further comprising means for verifying the validity of states that are stored in the apparatus by interacting with an application on a network server.

E94. A portable computing device comprising:

an interface module configured to communicate with the host device,

a first computer-readable medium encoded using the first authentication key,

a second computer-readable medium encoded with data encrypted using a second authentication key, and

a computing module having at least one data processing unit,

wherein the computing module is configured to decrypt the data at least partially based on the first authentication key, to execute the process at least partially based on the data, and to provide the host device with access to the process.

E95. The portable computing device of Embodiment E94, wherein the first computer-readable medium is embedded within a component of the computing module.

E96. The portable computing device of Embodiment E94, wherein the first authentication key is part of a public / private key pair.

E97. The portable computing device of Embodiment E94, wherein the portable computing device is configured to receive executable instructions through an interface module, and the computing module is configured to authenticate executable instructions using the first authentication key before executing them.

E98. The portable computing device of Embodiment E97, wherein the executable instructions are encrypted using a third authentication key, and the computing module is further configured to decrypt the executable instructions at least partially based on the first authentication key.

E99. The portable computing device of Embodiment E98, wherein the first and third authentication keys are a public / private key pair.

E100. The portable computing device of Embodiment E94, wherein the computing module is further configured to prevent execution of executable instructions if instructions are not authenticated.

E101. The portable computing device of Embodiment E94, wherein executable instructions are received from the host device.

E102. The portable computing device of Embodiment E94, wherein executable instructions are received from a server connected to the host device via a communication network.

E103. A method comprising:

establishing a connection between the portable device and the host device,

determining a communication link with a communication network provided by the host device,

creating an instance of the process on the portable device, and

Configuring the process to interact with the application provided by the server in the communication network through the communication line.

E104. The method of Embodiment E103, further comprising defining states that are stored on the portable device, the states being associated with at least one of user, application, configuration, or personalization data.

E105. The method of embodiment E104, further comprising:

providing a backup of the states in the application on the server,

request for a backup to be stored on the server.

E106. The method of embodiment E104, further comprising synchronizing states on the portable device and data controlled by the application on the server.

E107. The method of embodiment E106, wherein the data managed by the application on the server includes at least one of a state backup or an updated state copy.

E108. The method of embodiment E104, further comprising determining whether to synchronize the states on the portable device and the data managed by the application on the server, at least in part based on the condition.

E109. The method of embodiment E108, wherein the condition includes at least one of the expiration of a predetermined period of time, exceeding a memory threshold, determining that updated conditions are available on the server, or connecting the portable device to the host device.

E110. The method of embodiment E103, further comprising requesting that the application on the server execute at least one of storing the backup data, providing updated data, authenticating the user, or validating the data.

E111. The method of embodiment E103, further comprising:

receiving a request to access the application on the server from a process on the host device, and

providing the intermediary of the request from the host device to the application on the server.

E112. The method of embodiment E111, further comprising:

receiving data from the server in response to a request from an intermediary and

providing data to the host device without adding information about the server.

E113 A method of communicating between computing devices, including:

receiving a request for a device by a portable device from the host device,

transmitting a response identifying the portable device as a network device connected to the host device from the portable device to the host device,

receiving a data request by the portable device from the host device,

transmitting a request from a portable device to a server on the network via a communication line with the network provided by the host device,

receiving data associated with the request by the portable device from the server and

transferring data provided by the server from the portable device to the host device.

E114. The method of embodiment E113, further comprising transmitting data generated by a process running on the portable device together with data provided by the server from the portable device to the host device.

E115. The method of embodiment E113, further comprising:

transferring a copy of the states stored in the portable device from the portable device to the server and

receiving confirmation that the copy was saved on the server by a portable device from the server.

E116. The method of embodiment E113, further comprising:

receiving authentication data by the portable device from the host device,

transferring authentication data from the portable device to the server and

receiving a pointer as to whether the authentication data is valid by the portable device from the server.

E117. The method of embodiment E113, further comprising:

transmitting information associated with the states stored in the portable device from the portable device to the server and

receiving a pointer as to whether the states are valid, a portable device from the server.

E118. The method of embodiment E113, further comprising:

transmitting a request for re-validating the states that are stored in the portable device that have become invalid, from the portable device to the server and

receiving data for re-checking the validity of states by a portable device from the server.

E119. The method of embodiment E113, further comprising:

transmitting a request for updating states stored in the portable device from the portable device to the server and

receiving data for updating states by the portable device from the server.

E120. A device comprising:

a computing module having at least one processor,

an interface module configured to communicate with a host device, which comprises a communication line with a network,

a memory module containing instructions that upon execution cause implementation by at least one processor:

establishing a connection with the host device,

receiving data through a communication line from an application provided by a server in a communication network, and

providing data received from the server to the host device.

E121. The device of Embodiment E120, wherein the connection between the device and the host device is a peripheral connection.

E122. The apparatus of embodiment E120, wherein the communication link is a network connection.

E123. An apparatus according to embodiment E122, further comprising:

request definition from the host device,

receiving data associated with the request from an application on the server, and

response to the request at least in part based on data received from the application.

E124. The device as recited in embodiment E120, wherein the instructions further cause a single processor to send a request from the host device to the server through an intermediary.

E125. The device of Embodiment E120, wherein the instructions further cause implementation by a single processor:

definitions of the states that are stored in the memory module,

request data from the application on the server, and

state updates at least partially based on data provided by the application.

E126. The device of embodiment E125, wherein the data provided by the application includes states associated with a new application for the device.

E127. The device of Embodiment E120, wherein the instructions further cause implementation by a single processor:

definitions to back up the states that are stored in the memory module,

transferring states to the application on the server and

receiving confirmation that a state backup was saved on the server from the application.

E128. A device comprising:

means for connecting the device and the main device,

means for determining a communication link with a network provided by the host device,

means for retrieving the conditions associated with the process,

means for creating an instance of the process on the portable device based at least in part on the states and

means for the interaction of the process with the server on the network through the communication line.

E129. An apparatus according to embodiment E128, further comprising:

means for providing states to the server and

means for backing up states on the server.

E130. An apparatus according to embodiment E128, further comprising:

means for receiving a request from the host device and

means for providing a request to the server through an intermediary.

E131. An apparatus according to embodiment E128, further comprising:

means for determining to replace with a new version of states,

means for receiving data from the server and

means for updating states using received data.

E132. An apparatus according to embodiment E128, further comprising:

means for receiving authentication data from the host device,

means for providing authentication data to a server for validating and

means for determining from the server whether the authentication data is valid.

E133. An apparatus according to embodiment E128, further comprising:

means for providing the server with access to states,

means for determining from the server whether the conditions are valid.

E134. The apparatus of embodiment E128, further comprising means for re-validating the states using data provided by the server.

E135. A system for providing a computing environment for a host computing device, comprising:

a host configured to run the application, and

a portable device configured to connect to the host device, the portable device comprising a computing module and memory, the memory containing states associated with a process, the computing module is configured to create an instance of a process when connecting the portable device to the host device, the process on the portable device is configured to provide computing environment for the application on the host device.

E136. The system of embodiment E135, wherein the host device comprises a network interface configured to provide a communication link to a network.

E137. The system of Embodiment E136, further comprising connecting a server to a network, the server being configured to provide web services in response to a request from a portable device, the request is initiated by the host device and provided to the server through the mediation of the portable device.

E138. The system as recited in embodiment E137, wherein the web services are configured to provide at least one of activation services, authentication services, backup services, update services, content download services, or diagnostic services.

E139 The system of Embodiment E135, wherein the authentication data is embedded in a computing unit of a portable device.

E140. The system of embodiment E139, wherein the portable device is further configured to receive executable codes and verify the authenticity of executable codes using the embedded authentication data before executing said codes in a computing module.

E141. The system of Embodiment E135 wherein the portable device is configured to receive an activation code before executing a process in the portable device.

E142. The system of Embodiment E141 wherein the activation code is received from an external device directly connected to the portable device.

E143. The system of Embodiment E141 wherein the activation code is received from an external device connected to the portable device via the host device.

E144. The system of embodiment E135, wherein the process includes a web service configured to provide a computing environment for an application on a host device.

E145. The system of Embodiment E135, wherein the application on the host device includes a web browser.

E146. The system of embodiment E135, wherein the web browser is configured to automatically view a location associated with a process on the portable device.

E147. The system of Embodiment E135 wherein the portable device comprises a USB device with an integrated data processing unit.

E148. The system of embodiment E135, wherein the portable device comprises any device configured to provide at least one of an Internet browser, a container for executing programs, or a process designed to access web services.

E149. The system of Embodiment E135, wherein the host device is at least one of a desktop computer, laptop computer, notepad computer, personal digital assistant (PDA), cordless telephone, kiosk, printer, home appliance, audio equipment, video equipment or electronic clock.

E150. The system of Embodiment E135, wherein the portable device is configured to connect to a host device using a connection that includes at least one of a Universal Serial Bus (USB), FireWire, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, serial, parallel, network, peripheral, infrared, radio frequency (RF) or optical connection.

E151. A method of providing a solution to a computing environment, including:

providing a portable device configured using a computing module and memory,

storing the states associated with the process in memory, while the process is configured to form a computing environment,

configuring the portable device to create a process instance when connecting the portable device to the host device, wherein the process instance is created at least partially based on the stored states,

causing the host device to open a browser configured to view the location associated with the portable device, and

providing a computing environment generated by the process on the portable device for the browser on the host device.

E152. The method of embodiment E151, further comprising:

offering web services configured to provide functionality for a computing environment, and

providing browser functionality on the host device with a broker through a portable device.

E153. The method of embodiment E151, further comprising:

embedding the authentication data in the computing module of the portable device, and, before executing the codes received by the portable device, validating the codes using the authentication data.

E154. The method of Embodiment E153, further comprising, if the executable codes are not valid, preventing the execution of the codes by the computing module.

E155. The method of embodiment E151, further comprising:

providing web services that are available on the network, and

Configuring a portable device to interact with web services through a communication link between the host device and the network.

E156. The method as recited in embodiment E155, wherein the web services are configured to provide at least one of activation services, authentication services, backup services, update services, content download services, or diagnostic services.

E157. A system for providing a solution to a portable computing environment, comprising:

means for configuring a portable device for providing web services using a computing module,

means for connecting the portable device to the host device,

means for instructing the host device to launch a browser,

means for configuring a browser for viewing at the address associated with the web services provided by the portable device, and

means for providing web services of a computing environment for a browser.

E158. The system of Embodiment E157, further comprising:

means for embedding authentication data in a computing module of a portable device,

means for receiving program instructions, and

means for verifying the accuracy of program instructions using embedded authentication data before executing program instructions in a computing module.

E159. The system of Embodiment E157, further comprising:

means for receiving the activation code from the host device and

means for validating the activation code before providing web services for the host device.

E160. The system of Embodiment E157, further comprising means for implementing a portable device without at least one of a screen or data input device.

E161. The system of Embodiment E157, further comprising means for establishing a connection between the portable device and the host device, the connection including at least one of a wired connection or a wireless connection.

E162. The system of embodiment E157, further comprising means for providing remote web services for the web services on the portable device, the remote web services including at least one of activation services, authentication services, backup services, update services, Content Download Services or Diagnostic Services.

Claims (35)

1. A method of interaction between a portable computing device and the main computing device, comprising the steps of
connect the portable computing device to the main computing device;
establish a communication line between the portable computing device and the main computing device;
identify a portable computing device for the main computing device;
performing the process by the computing module of the portable computing device, the process being configured to form a computing environment;
determining a first temporary identifier;
determining a second temporary identifier associated with said process;
provide the application on the main computing device with the ability to interact with said process when the second temporary identifier is valid with respect to the first temporary identifier, and while providing the application on the main computing device, the possibilities of interacting with the process provide a computing environment for the application running on the main computing device;
deny access to said process when the second temporary identifier is unreliable with respect to the first temporary identifier, wherein the second temporary identifier is invalid when the second temporary identifier represents a point in time that occurs after another point in time represented by the first temporary identifier. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the process is an application service. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the application is a browser. 4. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the steps of
determine the conditions associated with the process, and
configure the computing environment, at least in part, based on these states. 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein when identifying a portable computing device for the main computing device, the portable computing device is identified as a network device. 6. The method according to claim 1, in which the application interacts with the process, at least in part, based on a protocol that enables communication processes on two different computing devices. 7. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the steps of
receive the address from the main computing device and
associate the address with the host computing device. 8. The method according to claim 7, further comprising the step of communicating with the process using the address. 9. The method according to claim 1, in which when connecting the portable computing device to the main computing device, the portable computing device is connected to the universal serial bus (USB) port of the main computing device, the method further comprising the steps of
determining an initiation procedure in the portable computing device, wherein the initiation procedure contains instructions for opening a browser at the address associated with the portable computing device, and
automatically initiate the initiation procedure in the main computing device. 10. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the steps of
determining a key associated with the portable computing device, and
authenticating the portable computing device, at least in part, on the basis of this key. 11. The method according to claim 1, in which when identifying a portable computing device for the main computing device:
receive a portable computing device from the main computing device device request and
transmitting from the portable computing device to the main computing device a response identifying the portable computing device as a network device connected to the main computing device. 12. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the steps of
receive a portable computing device from the main computing device, a request for data,
transmit from the portable computing device to the server on the network a request through a communication line with the network provided by the main computing device,
receive, by the portable computing device from the server, the data associated with this request, and
transmit data provided by the server from the portable computing device to the main computing device. 13. The method according to item 12, further comprising the step of transmitting from the portable computing device to the main computing device the data generated by said process, together with the data provided by the server. 14. The method of claim 12, further comprising the steps of:
transmitting from the portable computing device to the server a copy of the states that are stored in the portable computing device, and
accept by the portable computing device from the server confirmation that this copy has been stored on the server. 15. The method according to item 12, further comprising the steps of
receive the authentication data from the host computing device,
transmit this authentication data from the portable computing device to the server and
a portable computing device from the server receives a pointer as to whether this authentication data is valid. 16. The method according to item 12, further comprising stages, which
transmitting information from the portable computing device to the server associated with the states stored in the portable device, and
a portable computing device from the server receives a pointer as to whether these conditions are reliable. 17. The method according to item 12, further comprising the steps of
transmitting from the portable computing device to the server a request for re-validating the states that are stored in the portable computing device and which have become unreliable, and
receive portable computing device from the server data to re-check the reliability of the states. 18. The method according to item 12, further comprising the steps of
transmitting from the portable computing device to the server a request for updating the states that are stored in the portable computing device, and
receiving data from the server by the portable computing device for updating the states. 19. A computer-readable storage medium having computer-executable instructions stored on it, which are configured to ensure, when executed on a computer, that the method steps are performed according to one of claims 1-18. 20. A portable computing device connected to the main computing device and containing:
a computing module having at least one processor;
an interface module configured to communicate with the host computing device;
a timing unit configured to provide a first temporary identifier;
a memory module containing instructions that, when executed, cause the implementation of the said at least one processor:
identifying the portable computing device for the main computing device,
establishing a communication line with the main computing device,
executing a process in a computing module, determining a second temporary identifier associated with the process,
enabling the application on the host computing device to interact with said process when the second temporary identifier is valid with respect to the first temporary identifier, and
denial of access to said process when the second temporary identifier is unreliable with respect to the first temporary identifier, wherein the second temporary identifier is invalid when the second temporary identifier represents a point in time that occurs after another point in time represented by the first temporary identifier. 21. The portable computing device of claim 20, wherein the process includes an application service configured to provide a computing environment. 22. The portable computing device according to item 21, in which the application service is configured to provide data for the application running on the main computing device. 23. The portable computing device of claim 21, wherein the memory module further comprises data representing states associated with the application service. 24. The portable computing device of claim 23, wherein the instructions further cause the at least one application service processor to be configured by the at least partially state-based processor. 25. The portable computing device according to claim 20, in which the instructions further cause the aforementioned at least one processor of the portable computing device to be identified as a network device for the main computing device. 26. The portable computing device according to claim 20, in which the computing module is configured to create an instance of the process when connecting the portable computing device to the main computing device. 27. The portable computing device according to claim 26, wherein the authentication data is embedded in the computing module of the portable computing device. 28. The portable computing device according to claim 27, which is further configured to receive executable codes and verify the authenticity of executable codes using embedded authentication data before executing the executable codes in the computing module. 29. The portable computing device according to p, which is configured to receive an activation code before executing the process in a portable computing device. 30. The portable computing device according to clause 29, in which the activation code is received from an external device directly connected to the portable computing device, or from an external device connected to the portable computing device through the main computing device. 31. The main computing device to which the portable computing device is connected and which contains:
a computing module having at least one processor;
an interface module configured to communicate with a portable computing device;
a timing unit configured to provide a first temporary identifier;
a memory module containing instructions that upon execution cause the implementation of the said at least one processor:
portable computing device detection,
establishing a communication line with a portable computing device,
determining a web service provided by the portable computing device, the web service being a process running on the portable computing device, and
providing a user interface for interacting with the web service when the second temporary identifier associated with the web service is valid with respect to the first temporary identifier, while access to the web service is denied when the second temporary identifier is unreliable with respect to the first temporary identifier wherein the second time identifier is invalid when the second time identifier represents a point in time that occurs after another point in time, representing identified by the first temporary identifier. 32. The main computing device according to p, in which the instructions further cause the aforementioned at least one processor of the computing environment, at least partially based on the data provided by the web service. 33. The host computing device of claim 32, wherein the instructions further cause said at least one state processor to retrieve the states from the portable computing device. 34. The host computing device of claim 33, wherein the instructions further cause the at least one processor of the computing environment to be configured using the extracted states. 35. The host computing device of claim 31, further comprising a network interface configured to provide a communication link to the network.

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