Synchronization of widgets and dashboards

• US 20070130541A1
• Filed: 08/04/2006
• Published: 06/07/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 06/25/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Louch, John, Forstall, Scott, Christie, Gregory, Peyton, Eric, Hynes, Christoper
• Granted Patent: US 8,566,732 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/804
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04817 using icons graphical or visual programming using iconic symbols G06F8/34
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/451 Execution arrangements for user interfaces

Abstract

Systems, methods, computer-readable mediums, user interfaces and other implementations are disclosed for synchronizing widgets and dashboards.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

receiving a first set of widget information associated with a first device; and

synchronizing the first set of widget information with a data source.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

providing a synchronized set of widget information to a second device; and

replacing widget information associated with the second device with the synchronized set of widget information.

3. The method of claim 1, where synchronizing the first set of widget information with a data source, further comprises:

synchronizing the first set of widget information with a second set of widget information associated with a second device.

4. The method of claim 1, where synchronizing the first set of widget information with a data source, further comprises:

synchronizing the first set of widget information with a second set of widget information stored on a network device.

5. A method, comprising:

receiving a first set of dashboard information associated with a first device; and

synchronizing the first set of dashboard information with a data source.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising:

providing a synchronized set of dashboard information to a second device; and

replacing dashboard information associated with the second device with the synchronized set of dashboard information.

7. The method of claim 5, where synchronizing the first set of dashboard information with a data source, further comprises:

synchronizing the first set of dashboard information with a second set of dashboard information associated with a second device.

8. The method of claim 5, where synchronizing the first set of dashboard information with a data source, further comprises:

synchronizing the first set of dashboard information with a second set of dashboard information stored on a network device.

9. A method, comprising:

identifying configuration information associated with one or more widgets; and

updating the configuration information.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

evaluating the configuration information for consistency with master configuration information; and

updating the configuration information based on the results of the evaluation.

11. A system, comprising:

a first device including a first dashboard, the first dashboard including a first set of widgets;

a second device including a second dashboard, the second dashboard including a second set of widgets; and

a sync engine operatively coupled to the first and second devices and configurable to synchronize the first and second dashboards.

12. The system of claim 11, where the sync engine synchronizes widgets in the first and second dashboards.

13. The system of claim 11, where the widgets perform different functions.

14. The system of claim 11, where the widgets are different versions of the same widget.

15. The system of claim 11, where the widgets are synchronized based on synchronization preferences.

16. The system of claim 11, where the sync engine synchronizes widget settings.

17. The system of claim 11, where the synchronization is initiated by the first device.

18. The system of claim 11, where the synchronization is initiated by the second device.

19. The system of claim 11, where the synchronization is non-destructive.

20. An apparatus, comprising:

a computer-readable medium adapted for storing a first set of dashboard information; and

a sync engine operatively coupled to the computer-readable medium and configurable for synchronizing the first set of dashboard information with a data source.

21. The system of claim 20, where the data source is a second set of dashboard information stored on a network.

22. The system of claim 20, where the data source is a second set of dashboard information stored on another apparatus.

23. The system of claim 20, where the data source is a second set of dashboard information stored on removable storage media.

24. A computer-readable medium having instructions stored thereon, which, when executed by a processor, causes the processor to perform the operations of:

receiving a first set of widget information associated with a first device; and

synchronizing the first set of widget information with a data source.

25. The computer-readable medium of claim 24, further comprising:

providing a synchronized set of widget information to a second device; and

replacing widget information associated with the second device with the synchronized set of widget information.

26. The computer-readable medium of claim 24, where synchronizing the first set of widget information with a data source, further comprises:

synchronizing the first set of widget information with a second set of widget information associated with a second device.

27. The computer-readable medium of claim 24, where synchronizing the first set of widget information with a data source, further comprises:

synchronizing the first set of widget information with a second set of widget information stored on a network device.

28. A computer-readable medium having instructions stored thereon, which, when executed by a processor, causes the processor to perform the operations of:

receiving a first set of dashboard information associated with a first device; and

synchronizing the first set of dashboard information with a data source.

29. The computer-readable medium of claim 28, further comprising:

providing a synchronized set of dashboard information to a second device; and

replacing dashboard information associated with the second device with the synchronized set of dashboard information.

30. The computer-readable medium of claim 28, where synchronizing the first set of dashboard information with a data source, further comprises:

synchronizing the first set of dashboard information with a second set of dashboard information associated with a second device.

31. The computer-readable medium of claim 28, where synchronizing the first set of dashboard information with a data source, further comprises:

synchronizing the first set of dashboard information with a second set of dashboard information stored on a network device.