Folder synchronization

• US 20040103174A1
• Filed: 08/26/2003
• Published: 05/27/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 11/05/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Nalliah, Selvaraj, Balducci, Juan V. Esteve
• Granted Patent: US 7,359,991 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/221
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/42 Mailbox-related aspects, e.g. synchronisation of mailboxes
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/58 Message adaptation for wireless communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/00 Services specially adapted for wireless communication networks; Facilities therefor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99952 Coherency, e.g. same view to multiple users

Abstract

A method is provided for synchronizing folders between a mobile device and a second computing device. The method includes initiating a folder synchronization request between the mobile device and the second computing device and comparing the folder hierarchy of the mobile device with the folder hierarchy of the second computing device to ascertain differences. Information is sent to at least one of the mobile device and the second computing device as a function of the ascertained differences between the folder hierarchies. The mobile device or second computing device uses the information to modify its folder hierarchy.

Claims

1. A method of synchronizing folders between a mobile device and a second computing device, the method comprising:

initiating a folder synchronization request between the mobile device and the second computing device;

comparing the folder hierarchy of the mobile device with the folder hierarchy of the second computing device to ascertain differences;

sending information to at least one of the mobile device and the second computing device, the information being a function of the ascertained differences between the folder hierarchies; and

using the information to modify at least one of the folder hierarchy of the mobile device and the folder hierarchy of the second computing device.

2. The method of claim 1 and further comprising:

establishing a common folder hierarchy between the mobile device and the second computing device.

3. The method of claim 2 and further comprising:

reestablishing the common folder hierarchy between the mobile device and the second computing device after modifying at least one of the folder hierarchy of the mobile device and the folder hierarchy of the second computing device.

4. The method of claim 2 wherein establishing includes storing a copy of the common folder hierarchy.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein comparing includes comparing the folder hierarchy of the second computing device with the stored copy of the common folder hierarchy.

6. The method of claim 4 wherein comparing includes comparing the folder hierarchy of the mobile device with the stored copy of the common folder hierarchy.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein sending information comprises sending the information in a markup language format.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein using the information comprises executing instructions on the mobile device or the second computing device to add, delete, move or rename a folder.

9. The method of claim 1 and further comprising:

identifying if a folder has been renamed.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein comparing further comprises modeling the folder hierarchy of the mobile device and the folder hierarchy of the second computing device as a list and ascertaining differences between the lists.

11. The method of claim 10 and further comprising tracking positions of folders within the list.

12. A computer readable medium having instructions executable by a computer, which, when implemented, cause the computer to synchronize folders between a mobile device and a second computing device, the instructions comprising:

receiving a folder synchronization request from the mobile device;

comparing a folder hierarchy of the mobile device with a folder hierarchy of the second computing device to ascertain differences;

sending information to at least one of the mobile device and the second computing device, the information being a function of the ascertained differences between the folder hierarchies; and

using the information to modify at least one of the folder hierarchy of the mobile device and the folder hierarchy of the second computing device.

13. The computer readable medium of claim 12 wherein the instructions further comprise:

establishing a common folder hierarchy between the mobile device and the second computing device.

14. The computer readable medium of claim 13 wherein the instructions further comprise:

reestablishing the common folder hierarchy between the mobile device and the second computing device after modifying at least one of the folder hierarchy of the mobile device and the folder hierarchy of the second computing device.

15. The computer readable medium of claim 13 wherein establishing includes storing a copy of the common folder hierarchy.

16. The computer readable medium of claim 15 wherein comparing includes comparing the folder hierarchy of the second computing device with the stored copy of the common folder hierarchy.

17. The computer readable medium of claim 15 wherein comparing includes comparing the folder hierarchy of the mobile device with the stored copy of the common folder hierarchy.

18. The computer readable medium of claim 12 wherein sending information comprises sending the information in a markup language format.

19. The computer readable medium of claim 12 wherein using the information comprises executing instructions on the second computing device to add, delete, move or rename a folder.

20. The computer readable medium of claim 12 wherein the instructions further comprise:

identifying if a folder has been renamed.

21. The computer readable medium of claim 12 wherein comparing further comprises modeling the folder hierarchy of the mobile device and the folder hierarchy of the second computing device as a list and ascertaining differences between the lists.

22. The computer readable medium of claim 12 wherein the instructions further comprise tracking positions of folders within the list.