Synchronization view

• US 7,293,047 B2
• Filed: 10/23/2003
• Issued: 11/06/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/23/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Fisher, Oliver G., Dunn, Melissa W., Perlow, Jon, Erickson, Paul, Park, Vivien
• Primary Examiner(s): AL HASHEMI, SANA A
• Application Number:
  US10/691,905
• Publication Number:
  US 20050091592A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,475 Days
• Field of Search: 707/204, 707/203, 707/102
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/273 Asynchronous replication or reconciliation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99942 Manipulating data structure, e.g. compression, compaction, compilation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99943 Generating database or data structure, e.g. via user interface
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99953 Recoverability
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99955 Archiving or backup

Abstract

Systems and methods are disclosed for synchronizing data stored in remote stores. Data stored in locations such as computer applications, consumer electronic devices and Internet websites is synchronized with a central database within a computer device. The computer device may also store constraints that limit the type of data that may be synchronized with individual stores. A graphical user interface may use different formats or icons to distinguish between data stored in a store and data included within the central database.

Claims

1. A method of synchronizing data stored in remote stores, the method comprising:

(a) connecting a first remote store to a computer device;

(b) synchronizing data stored within the first remote store with data contained within a first publisher record stored within the computer device;

(c) synchronizing the data contained within first publisher record with data contained within a composite record stored on the computer device;

(d) synchronizing the data contained within composite record with data contained within a second publisher record stored within the computer device.

2. The method of claim 1, further including:

(e) synchronizing the data contained within second publisher record with data stored within a second remote store.

3. The method of claim 1, further including:

(e) receiving a command from a user to edit the data contained within the composite record; and

(f) comparing the edit command to at least one constraint in a synchronization mapping record corresponding to the first remote store;

(g) editing the first publisher record when the edit command does not violate the at least one constraint.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the composite record is part of a computer operating system.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the data contained within the first publisher record comprises contact data.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the data contained within the second publisher record comprises contact data.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the data contained within the first publisher record comprises calendar data.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the data contained within the first publisher record comprises playlist data.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the data contained within the first publisher record comprises digital certificate.