System and method for synchronizing objects between two devices
First Claim
1. A method comprising:
- without input from a user, automatically identifying storage volumes currently accessible to a first device, wherein the storage volumes store objects;
based on the identification of storage volumes currently accessible to the first device, automatically identifying objects subject to deletion from a second device during a synchronization process to occur between the first device and the second device;
without input from a user, automatically preventing deletion of the objects subject to deletion during the synchronization process; and
automatically synchronizing only objects contained in the storage volumes currently accessible to the first device.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A synchronization system synchronizes objects between a portable computer and a desktop computer. The portable computer is capable of communicating with a storage volume that can become inaccessible to the portable computer. The system identifies storage volumes currently available to the portable computer and identifies storage volumes previously accessible to the portable computer, but not currently accessible to the portable computer. Objects contained in storage volumes that are currently accessible to the portable computer are then synchronized between the base computer and the portable computer. During the synchronization process, the system ignores objects stored on volumes that are not currently accessible to the portable computer. However, the system continues to monitor and record changes to objects stored on volumes that are not currently accessible to the portable computer. When a storage volume that was previously inaccessible becomes accessible, the system synchronizes objects stored on the previously inaccessible storage volume. The objects may be databases or other data structures. The storage volume that can become inaccessible to the portable computer is typically a removable memory card that can be inserted into the portable computer.
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Citations
32 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
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without input from a user, automatically identifying storage volumes currently accessible to a first device, wherein the storage volumes store objects;
based on the identification of storage volumes currently accessible to the first device, automatically identifying objects subject to deletion from a second device during a synchronization process to occur between the first device and the second device;
without input from a user, automatically preventing deletion of the objects subject to deletion during the synchronization process; and
automatically synchronizing only objects contained in the storage volumes currently accessible to the first device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method of synchronizing objects between a portable computer and a base computer, wherein the base computer attempts to delete objects during synchronization if corresponding objects are not accessible to the portable computer, the method comprising:
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storing an object on a removable storage device, wherein the removable storage device is configured to be inserted into and removed from the portable computer;
automatically creating an association between the object and a corresponding object on the base computer; and
without user intervention, synchronizing the object stored on the removable storage device with the corresponding object on the base computer if the removable storage device is inserted into the portable computer; and
without user intervention, automatically preventing the corresponding object on the base computer from being deleted if the removable storage device is not inserted into the portable computer. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method of synchronizing objects between a portable computer and a base computer, wherein during synchronization the base computer tries to delete objects on the base computer if corresponding objects are not accessible to the portable computer, the method comprising:
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automatically identifying storage volumes currently accessible to the portable computer, wherein each storage volume contains at least one object and wherein each object contains a plurality of data items; and
automatically synchronizing only objects contained in storage volumes that are currently accessible to the portable computer; and
without user intervention, automatically preventing deletion of objects on the base computer in response to corresponding objects being inaccessible to the portable computer. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. In a system using a synchronization process between a first device and a second device in which the first device is capable of communicating with a storage volume that can become inaccessible to the first device and wherein the second device tries to delete objects on the second device that are not accessible on the first device, one or more computer-readable media having stored thereon a computer program comprising the following steps:
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identifying storage volumes currently accessible to the first device;
identifying removable storage volumes previously accessible to the first device but not currently accessible to the first device;
without user intervention, automatically preventing deletion of objects corresponding to objects on previously accessible storage volumes; and
synchronizing only objects contained in storage volumes that are currently accessible to the first device. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27)
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28. In a system that tries to delete objects during synchronization if the objects are not accessible to a peripheral computer, an apparatus comprising:
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a communications module;
a data store that contains a list of accessible storage volumes and inaccessible storage volumes of a peripheral computer; and
a desktop synchronization manager coupled to the communications module and the data store, wherein the desktop synchronization manager is configured to automatically synchronize, without user intervention, only objects stored on accessible storage volumes of the peripheral computer and to automatically prevent deletion of objects associated with storage volumes inaccessible to the peripheral computer. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 32)
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Specification