Single click synchronization of data from a public information store to a private information store

• US 6,944,651 B2
• Filed: 05/17/2001
• Issued: 09/13/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 05/19/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Synchronoss Technologies Incorporated
• Original Assignee: FusionOne Incorporated (Synchronoss Technologies Incorporated)
• Inventors: Multer, David L., Onyon, Richard M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Harrell, Robert B.
• Application Number:
  US09/860,903
• Publication Number:
  US 20020038316A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,580 Days
• Field of Search: 709/201, 709/203, 709/204, 709/212, 709/213, 709/216, 709/217, 709/248, 709/250, 709/200, 707/200, 707/201
• US Class Current: 709/217
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/954 Navigation, e.g. using categorised browsing
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/109 Time management, e.g. calendars, reminders, meetings or time accounting

Abstract

A method for transferring public information to a private information store maintained by a private information space manager. The method may include the steps of selecting public information from a public information source; initiating a sync request by selecting a sync request button on the public information web site; and identifying the private information space were the public information is to be stored. In a further aspect, the invention comprises a system for synchronizing public content from a public information web site to a private information store. The system may include a sync enable button on the public information web site; a pop-up window provided by a private information store provided responsive to the sync enable button on the public information web site; and a sync interface transfer button on the pop-up window initiating transfer of the public information to the private information store. In a further aspect, the public information web site is provided by an affiliate server and said affiliate server includes code enabling said sync button by directing a client web browser to the private information store provider. The system may further include at least one synchronization routine synchronizing the public information data with the private information space.

Claims

1. A method for transferring public information to a private information store maintained by a private information space manager, comprising:

selecting the public information from a public information source; and

initiating a sync request by selecting a sync request button on the public information source, said step of initiating a sync request at least initiating the steps of;

identifying the private information store where the public information is to be stored, and

adding the public information to the private information store for propagation to one or more personal information devices associated with the private information store.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said step of selecting comprises searching the public information source utilizing a search engine to retrieve the public information and identifying the public information resulting from said search.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein said public information comprises a digital media file.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein said digital media file is an MP3.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein said public information is a data file.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein said public information comprises contact information.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein said step of selecting comprises receiving e-mail from a user who has selected the public information from the public information source.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein said public information comprises event information.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein said sync request button is virtual.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein said step of identifying comprises examining a unique identifier in a web browser on a client web browser.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein said step of identifying comprises prompting a user login and retrieving login information input by the user.

12. The method of claim 1 wherein said method further includes the step, following said step of identifying, of synchronizing the public information with the private information store.

13. The method of claim 1 wherein said private information store comprises a series of transactions reflecting additions to, modifications to, and subtractions from the private information store.

14. The method of claim 1 wherein said private information store comprises a quantity of data which is selected by and retained by a particular user.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein said private information store is retained on a server which is coupled to a global communications network and at least one information storage device.

16. The method of claim 1 wherein said private information store comprises a private information data store and at least one personal information device coupled via a communications network to the private information data store and exchanging information with the private information data store.

17. The method of claim 1 wherein said private information store comprises a plurality of personal information devices, each of which includes at least a portion of an individual'"'"'s private information data.

18. A system for synchronizing public content from a public information web site to a private information store, comprising:

a sync enable button on the public information web site;

a pop-up window provided by a private information store provider responsive to the sync enable button on the public information web site; and

a sync interface transfer button on the pop-up window initiating transfer of the public content to the private information store for synchronization between one or more personal information devices associated with the private information store.

19. The system of claim 18 wherein said public information web site is provided by an affiliate server and said affiliate server includes code enabling said sync button by directing a client web browser to the private information store provider.

20. The system of claim 18 wherein the sync enable button is provided on a file system interface.

21. The system of claim 18 wherein the sync enable button is provided adjacent to a set of contact information.

22. The system of claim 18 wherein the sync enable button is provided adjacent to event information.

23. The system of claim 18 wherein multiple public information entries are provided adjacent to check boxes, and the sync enable button syncs all entries checked by a user.

24. The system of claim 18 wherein said pop-up window includes a user login and retrieving login information input by the user.

25. The system of claim 18 wherein said system further includes at least one synchronization routine synchronizing the public content with the private information store.

26. The system of claim 18 wherein said private information store comprises a quantity of data which is selected by and retained by a particular user.

27. The system of claim 26 wherein said private information store is retained on a server which is coupled to a global communications network and at least one information storage device.

28. The system of claim 18 wherein said private information store comprises at least one personal information device coupled via a communications network to the private information store and exchanging information with the private information store.

29. The system of claim 18 wherein said private information store comprises a plurality of personal information devices, each of which includes at least a portion of an individual'"'"'s private information data.

30. A computer-readable medium carrying instructions for performing synchronization of public content from a public information web site to a private information store, the instructions including instructions for performing the steps of:

enabling a sync enable button on the public information web site;

mapping the public content to a field in response to the sync enable button and

transmitting the mapped data to a private information store for propagation to one or more personal information devices and applications associated with the private store.

31. A computer-readable medium of claim 30 wherein said step of enabling said sync button directs a client web browser to the private information store provider.

32. A computer-readable medium of claim 30 wherein said step of mapping the public content to a field in response to the sync enable button generates a window which includes a user login and retrieving login information input by a user.

33. A computer-readable medium of claim 30 further comprising the step of synchronizing the public content with the private information store.

34. A computer-readable medium of claim 30 wherein said private information store comprises a quantity of data which is selected by and retained by a particular user.

35. A computer-readable medium of claim 30 wherein said private information store is retained on a server which is coupled to a global communications network and at least one information storage device.

36. A computer-readable medium of claim 30 wherein said private information store comprises at least one personal information device coupled via a communications network to the private information data source and exchanging information with the private information data source.

37. A computer-readable medium of claim 30 wherein said private information store comprises a plurality of personal information devices, each of which includes at least a portion of an individual'"'"'s private information data.

38. A method for transferring public information from a public information source to a private information space, comprising:

receiving public information destined for the public information source responsive to a user-initiated indication that the public information source is to be provided to the private information space; and

making the public information available to one or more personal information devices and applications by transmitting the public information identified in the receiving step to the private information space associated with the one or more personal information devices and applications.

39. The method of claim 38 wherein said step of receiving comprises receiving data responsive to a search of the public information source utilizing a search engine.

40. The method of claim 38 wherein said public information comprises a digital media file.

41. The method of claim 38 wherein said public information is a data file.

42. The method of claim 38 wherein said public information comprises contact information.

43. The method of claim 38 wherein said public information comprises event information.

44. The method of claim 38 further including the step of identifying the private information space associated with the user by a unique identifier in a client web browser.

45. The method of claim 38 further including the step of identifying the private information space associated with the user by prompting a user login and retrieving login information input by the user.

46. The method of claim 38 wherein said step of receiving comprises receiving an e-mail from a first user who has selected the public information to be provided to a second user'"'"'s private information store.

47. A method for inputting public information into a plurality of personal information managers, comprising:

determining content to be synchronized by receiving public information from a public information store via a communications network;

storing the content in a data store specifically identified with a particular user; and

providing the content to at least one personal information device capable of coupling to the data store via the global communications network.

48. The method of claim 47 wherein said step of determining comprises:

providing code enabling a sync enable button on a public information web site; and

providing code responsive to the sync enable button mapping the public content to a field.

49. The method of claim 48 wherein said step of storing comprises providing code transmitting the mapped data to a private information store.

50. The method of claim 48 wherein said step of providing the content comprises storing the content in a user-specific personal information space on a server coupled to the network, the server including at least one device engine coupled to receive the content and generate transactions providing the content to said at least one personal information device.

51. A method for making content from a public website available for synchronization between one or more personal information devices and applications, comprising the steps of:

providing a sync request button on the public website;

associating the sync request button with the content on a page of the public website;

adding the content from the public website to a private information store unaffiliated with the public website upon accessing the sync request button;

wherein said step of adding the content from the public website to a private store includes the step of making the content available to the one or more personal information devices and applications.

52. A method as recited in claim 51, wherein said step of associating the sync request button with content on a page of the public website comprises the step of associating the sync request button with contact information including at least one of a person'"'"'s name, company, title, mailing address, telephone number and email address.

53. A method as recited in claim 51, wherein said step of associating the sync request button with content on a page of the public website comprises the step of associating the sync request button with an event.

54. A method as recited in claim 51, wherein said step of associating the sync request button with content on a page of the public website comprises the step of associating the sync request button with a file referenced on the page of the website.

55. A method for making content from a public source available to one or more personal information devices and applications, comprising the steps of:

selecting the content on a the public store to be made available to the one or more personal information devices and applications;

indicating said step of selecting the content by activating a sync request associated with the content; and

adding the indicated content to a synchronization system on a private information store, the synchronization system capable of synchronizing the content on the one or more personal information devices and applications.

56. A method as recited in claim 55, said step of indicating said step of selecting the content by activating a sync request associated with the content comprising one of:

1) activating a virtual sync request button;

     2) activating a key of a keyboard;

     3) clicking a mouse, and

     4) selecting an option from a virtual pull down menu.

57. A method for making content from a public website available to one or more personal information devices and applications, comprising the steps of:

selecting the content on a page of the public website to be made available to the one or more personal information devices and applications;

indicating said step of selecting the content by activating a sync request associated with the content; and

adding the content from the page of the public website to a synchronization system including a private information store, the synchronization system capable of synchronizing the content on the one or more personal information devices and applications.

58. A method as recited in claim 57, said step of indicating said step of selecting the content by activating a sync request associated with the content comprising one of:

1) activating a virtual sync request button;

     2) activating a key of a keyboard;

     3) clicking a mouse, and

     4) selecting an option from a virtual pull down menu.

59. A method for making information on a public web page available to one or more personal information devices and applications, comprising the steps of:

designating an item of information on the web page for possible selection by associating a sync request indicator with the item of information;

selecting the item of information from the web page to be made available to the one or more personal information devices and applications;

indicating said step of selecting the item of information by activating the sync request indicator associated with the item of information;

not selecting other information from the web page, the other information that was not selected not being available to the one or more personal information devices and applications; and

adding the item of information from the web page of the public website to a synchronization system including a private information store, the synchronization system capable of synchronizing the item of information across the one or more personal information devices and applications.

60. A method as recited in claim 59, said step of indicating said step of selecting the content by activating a sync request indicator associated with the item of information comprising one of:

1) activating a virtual sync request button;

     2) activating a key of a keyboard;

     3) clicking a mouse, and

     4) selecting an option from a virtual pull down menu.