Method and apparatus for displaying personal digital assistant synchronization data using primary and subordinate data fields
First Claim
1. A method for displaying first personal information management data (first PIM data) entered on a personal digital assistant (PDA) and second personal information management data (second PIM data) entered on a computing device, the first PIM data being associated with a first field identifier, the second PIM data being associated with a second field identifier, the PDA including a display device, the method comprising the steps of:
- retrieving a first time stamp generated when the first PIM data was entered;
retrieving a second time stamp generated when the second PIM data was entered;
comparing the first field identifier and the second field identifier;
comparing the first time stamp and the second time stamp;
selecting the first PIM data as a primary data field and the second PIM data as a subordinate data field if the first field identifier matches the second field identifier and the first time stamp is later than the second time stamp;
displaying the primary data field on the display of the PDA; and
displaying a symbol on the display of the PDA to indicate that the subordinate data field is available.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The method and apparatus described herein provides a system for displaying personal information management (PIM) data on a personal digital assistant (PDA). The PIM data may be shared by multiple users and modified at the PDA displaying the data, at another PDA, and/or at a personal computer. When the same data field is changed by more than one device, the system displays the most recent version of the data as the primary data field with a symbol to indicate a subordinate data field is available in memory. By selecting the symbol, the user may swap the primary and subordinate data fields.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A method for displaying first personal information management data (first PIM data) entered on a personal digital assistant (PDA) and second personal information management data (second PIM data) entered on a computing device, the first PIM data being associated with a first field identifier, the second PIM data being associated with a second field identifier, the PDA including a display device, the method comprising the steps of:
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retrieving a first time stamp generated when the first PIM data was entered;
retrieving a second time stamp generated when the second PIM data was entered;
comparing the first field identifier and the second field identifier;
comparing the first time stamp and the second time stamp;
selecting the first PIM data as a primary data field and the second PIM data as a subordinate data field if the first field identifier matches the second field identifier and the first time stamp is later than the second time stamp;
displaying the primary data field on the display of the PDA; and
displaying a symbol on the display of the PDA to indicate that the subordinate data field is available. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A personal digital assistant comprising:
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a display device;
a memory device storing a software program, a primary data field, and a subordinate data field; and
a processor operatively coupled to the display device and the memory device, the processor executing the software program stored in the memory device;
the processor retrieving the primary data field and the subordinate data field from the memory device, the primary data field being associated with a first field identifier and a first time stamp, the subordinate data field being associated with a second field identifier and a second time stamp, the first field identifier being equal to the second field, the first time stamp being more recent than the second time stamp, the processor causing the display device to hide the primary data field and display the subordinate data field in response to a user input. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 22)
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21. A computer readable medium storing a software program for displaying first personal information management data (first PIM data) entered on a personal digital assistant (PDA) and second personal information management data (second PIM data) entered on a computing device, the first PIM data being associated with a first field identifier, the second PIM data being associated with a second field identifier, the PDA including a display device, the software program being capable of execution by a processor, the software program comprising:
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a first program portion which when executed by the processor causes the processor to retrieve (i) a first time stamp generated when the first personal information management data was entered, and (ii) a second time stamp generated when the second PIM data was entered;
a second program portion which when executed by the processor causes the processor to compare the first field identifier and the second field identifier;
a third program portion which when executed by the processor causes the processor to compare the first time stamp and the second time stamp;
a fourth program portion which when executed by the processor causes the processor to select the first PIM data as a primary data field and the second PIM data as a subordinate data field if the first field identifier matches the second field identifier and the first time stamp is later than the second time stamp;
a fifth program portion which when executed by the processor causes the processor to display the primary data field on the display of the PDA; and
a sixth program portion which when executed by the processor causes the processor to display a symbol on the display of the PDA to indicate that the subordinate data field is available.
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Specification