Synchronization methods and systems

• US 7,739,410 B2
• Filed: 01/07/2007
• Issued: 06/15/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 01/07/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Freedman, Gordon J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Divecha; Kamal B
• Application Number:
  US11/650,726
• Publication Number:
  US 20080168292A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,255 Days
• Field of Search: 709/248
• US Class Current: 709/248
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/9562 Bookmark management

Abstract

Bookmark synchronization methods, systems and computer readable media are described. One exemplary method includes storing a mapping relationship between a first topology for bookmarks of a first web browser on a host and at least one of an intermediate topology and a device topology for bookmarks of a second web browser on a device and storing a mapping relationship between the device topology and at least one of the intermediate topology and the first topology, and synchronizing bookmarks on the device with bookmarks on the host. Systems, computer readable media and other methods are also described.

Claims

1. A machine implemented method performed on a device having a processor and a memory, the method comprising:

storing in the memory a first mapping relationship and a second mapping relationship, the first mapping relationship between a first topology of bookmarks of a first web browser on a host and an intermediate topology of bookmarks, wherein the intermediate topology shows an association of bookmarks between different topologies, the first topology including an arrangement of different bookmarks specified by the first web browser, wherein the first topology includes at least two of a) bookmark folders;

(b) a bookmark bar;

(c) a bookmark menu; and

(d) bookmarks at a top level, wherein the first mapping relationship is associated with mapping the first bookmarks of the first web browser in the first topology to second bookmarks in the intermediate topology, and the second mapping relationship between a device topology of bookmarks of a second web browser on a device and the intermediate topology, wherein the second mapping relationship is associated with mapping third bookmarks of the second web browser in the device topology to the second bookmarks in the intermediate topology, wherein the device topology of bookmarks of the second web browser includes an arrangement of different bookmarks, specified by the second web browser wherein the device topology includes at least two of a) bookmark folders;

(b) a bookmark bar;

(c) a bookmark menu; and

(d) bookmarks at a top level, wherein the first topology, the device topology and the intermediate topology are different from each other, wherein the first web browser and the second web browser are different from each other;

and

synchronizing using the intermediate topology, the first mapping relationship and the second mapping relationship, by receiving at the device bookmarks on the host and transmitting from the device bookmarks on the device to the host.

2. The method as in claim 1 wherein the intermediate topology is a canonical topology and wherein the synchronizing comprises adding bookmarks, to bookmarks of the first web browser or the second web browser.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the first web browser is configured to be one of at least three different web browsers and wherein a bookmark comprises at least one of a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) and an address of a resource, and wherein the device is a handheld data processing system and the host is a data processing system.

4. The method as in claim 3 further comprising:

presenting a user interface to allow a user to modify one or both of the mapping relationships.

5. The method as in claim 3 wherein the synchronizing occurs a plurality of times.

6. A non-transitory or non-transmissible computer readable storage medium storing executable program instructions which when executed cause a data processing system to perform operations comprising:

storing in a memory a first mapping relationship and a second mapping relationship, the first mapping relationship between a first topology of bookmarks of a first web browser on a host and an intermediate topology of bookmarks, wherein the intermediate topology shows an association of bookmarks between different topologies, the first topology including an arrangement of different bookmarks specified by the first web browser, wherein the first topology includes at least two of a) bookmark folders;

(b) a bookmark bar;

(c) a bookmark menu; and

(d) bookmarks at a top level, wherein the first mapping relationship is associated with mapping the first bookmarks of the first web browser in the first topology to second bookmarks in the intermediate topology, and the second mapping relationship between a device topology of bookmarks of a second web browser on a device and the intermediate topology, wherein the second mapping relationship is associated with mapping third bookmarks of the second web browser in the device topology to the second bookmarks in the intermediate topology, wherein the device topology of bookmarks includes an arrangement of different bookmarks, specified by the second web browser wherein the device topology includes at least two of a) bookmark folders;

(b) a bookmark bar;

(c) a bookmark menu; and

(d) bookmarks at a top level, wherein the first topology, the device topology and the intermediate topology are different from each other, wherein the first web browser and the second web browser are different from each other; and

synchronizing using the intermediate topology, the first mapping relationship and the second mapping relationship, by receiving at the device bookmarks on the host and transmitting from the device bookmarks on the device to the host.

7. The medium as in claim 6 wherein the intermediate topology is a canonical topology and wherein the synchronizing comprises adding bookmarks, to bookmarks of the first web browser or to bookmarks of the second web browser.

8. The medium of claim 7 wherein the first web browser is configured to be one of at least three different web browsers and wherein a bookmark comprises at least one of a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) and an address of a resource, and wherein the device is a handheld data processing system and the host is a data processing system.

9. The medium as in claim 8, the method further comprising:

presenting a user interface to allow a user to modify one or both of the mapping relationships.

10. The medium as in claim 8 wherein the synchronizing occurs a plurality of times.

11. A data processing system comprising:

a memory, and

means for storing in the memory a first mapping relationship and a second mapping relationship, the first mapping relationship between a first topology of bookmarks of a first web browser on a host and an intermediate topology of bookmarks, wherein the intermediate topology shows an association of bookmarks between different topologies, the first topology including an arrangement of different bookmarks specified by the first web browser, wherein the first topology includes at least two of a) bookmark folders;

(b) a bookmark bar;

(c) a bookmark menu; and

(d) bookmarks at a top level, wherein the first mapping relationship is associated with mapping the first bookmarks of the first web browser in the first topology to second bookmarks in the intermediate topology, and the second mapping relationship between a device topology of bookmarks of a second web browser on a device and the intermediate topology, wherein the second mapping relationship is associated with mapping third bookmarks of the second web browser in the device topology to the second bookmarks in the intermediate topology, wherein the device topology of the bookmarks of the second web browser includes an arrangement of different bookmarks, specified by the second web browser wherein the device topology includes at least two of a) bookmark folders;

(b) a bookmark bar;

(c) a bookmark menu; and

(d) bookmarks at a top level, wherein the first topology, the device topology and the intermediate topology are different from each other, wherein the first web browser and the second web browser are different from each other; and

means for synchronizing, using the intermediate topology, the first mapping relationship and the second mapping relationship by receiving at the device bookmarks on the host and transmitting from the device bookmarks on the device to the host.

12. A machine implemented method performed on a host having a processor and a memory, the method comprising:

storing in the memory a first mapping relationship between a first topology of bookmarks of a first web browser on a host and an intermediate topology of bookmarks, wherein the intermediate topology shows an association of bookmarks between different topologies, wherein the first topology includes an arrangement of different bookmarks specified by the first web browser, wherein the first topology includes at least two of a) bookmark folders;

(b) a bookmark bar;

(c) a bookmark menu; and

(d) bookmarks at a top level, wherein the first mapping relationship is associated with mapping the first bookmarks of the first web browser in the first topology to second bookmarks in the intermediate topology, and wherein the intermediate topology further allows a second mapping relationship between a device topology of bookmarks of a second web browser on a device and the intermediate topology, wherein the second mapping relationship is associated with mapping third bookmarks of the second web browser in the device topology to the second bookmarks in the intermediate topology, wherein the device topology of the bookmarks of the second web browser includes an arrangement of different bookmarks specified by the second web browser, wherein the device topology includes at least two of a) bookmark folders;

(b) a bookmark bar;

(c) a bookmark menu; and

(d) bookmarks at a top level, wherein the first topology, the device topology and the intermediate topology are different from each other, wherein the first web browser and the second web browser are different from each other;

synchronizing using the intermediate topology, the first mapping relationship and the second mapping relationship, by receiving at the host bookmarks on the device and transmitting from the host bookmarks on the host to the device.

13. The method as in claim 12 wherein the intermediate topology is a canonical topology and wherein the synchronizing comprises adding bookmarks to bookmarks of the first web browser, or to bookmarks of the second web browser.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein the first web browser is configured to be one of at least three different web browsers and wherein a bookmark comprises at least one of a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) and an address of a resource, and wherein the device is a handheld data processing system and the host is a data processing system.

15. A non-transitory or non-transmissible computer readable storage medium storing executable program instructions which when executed cause a data processing system to perform operations comprising:

storing in a memory a first mapping relationship between a first topology of bookmarks of a first web browser on a host and an intermediate topology of bookmarks, wherein the intermediate topology shows an association of bookmarks between different topologies, wherein the first topology includes an arrangement of different bookmarks specified by the first web browser, wherein the first topology includes at least two of a) bookmark folders;

(b) a bookmark bar;

(c) a bookmark menu; and

(d) bookmarks at a top level, wherein the first mapping relationship is associated with mapping first bookmarks of the first web browser in the first topology to second bookmarks in the intermediate topology, and wherein the intermediate topology further allows a second mapping relationship between a device topology of bookmarks of a second web browser on a device and the intermediate topology, wherein the second mapping relationship is associated with mapping third bookmarks of the second web browser in the device topology to the second bookmarks in the intermediate topology, wherein the device topology of the bookmarks of the second web browser includes an arrangement of different bookmarks specified by the second web browser wherein the device topology includes at least two of a) bookmark folders;

(b) a bookmark bar;

(c) a bookmark menu; and

(d) bookmarks at a top level, wherein the first topology, the device topology and the intermediate topology are different from each other, wherein the first web browser and the second web browser are different from each other; and

synchronizing using the intermediate topology, the first mapping relationship and the second mapping relationship, by receiving at the host bookmarks on the device and transmitting from the host bookmarks on the host to the device.

16. The medium as in claim 15 wherein the intermediate topology is a canonical topology and wherein the synchronizing comprises adding bookmarks to bookmarks of the first web browser or to bookmarks of the second web browser.

17. The medium of claim 16 wherein the first web browser is configured to be one of at least three different web browsers and wherein a bookmark comprises at least one of a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) and an address of a resource, and wherein the device is a handheld data processing system and the host is a data processing system.

18. A data processing system comprising:

a memory;

means for storing in the memory a first mapping relationship between a first topology of bookmarks of a first web browser on a host that includes at least two of a) bookmark folders;

(b) a bookmark bar;

(c) a bookmark menu; and

(d) bookmarks at a top level, and an intermediate topology of the bookmarks, wherein the intermediate topology shows an association of bookmarks between different topologies, wherein the first mapping relationship is associated with mapping the first bookmarks of the first web browser in the first topology to second bookmarks in the intermediate topology, and a second mapping relationship between a device topology of bookmarks of a second web browser on a device and the intermediate topology, wherein the second mapping relationship is associated with mapping third bookmarks of the second web browser in the device topology to the second bookmarks in the intermediate topology, wherein the device topology of the bookmarks of the second web browser includes at least two of a) bookmark folders;

(b) a bookmark bar;

(c) a bookmark menu; and

(d) bookmarks at a top level, wherein the first topology, the device topology and the intermediate topology are different from each other, wherein the first web browser and the second web browser are different from each other;

means for synchronizing using the intermediate topology, the first mapping relationship and the second mapping relationship, by receiving at the host bookmarks on the device and transmitting from the host bookmarks on the host to the device.

19. A machine implemented method comprising:

storing in a memory a first mapping relationship between a first topology of bookmarks of a first web browser on a device and an intermediate topology of bookmarks, wherein the intermediate topology shows an association of bookmarks between different topologies, wherein the first topology includes an arrangement of different bookmarks specified by the first web browser, wherein the first topology includes at least two of a) bookmark folders;

(b) a bookmark bar;

(c) a bookmark menu; and

(d) bookmarks at a top level, wherein the first mapping relationship is associated with mapping the first bookmarks of the first web browser in the first topology to second bookmarks in the intermediate topology, and wherein the intermediate topology further allows a second mapping relationship between a host topology of bookmarks of a second web browser on a host and the intermediate topology, wherein the second mapping relationship is associated with mapping third bookmarks of the second web browser in the host topology to the second bookmarks in the intermediate topology, wherein the host topology of the bookmarks of the second web browser includes an arrangement of different bookmarks specified by the second web browser wherein the host topology includes at least two of a) bookmark folders;

(b) a bookmark bar;

(c) a bookmark menu; and

(d) bookmarks at a top level, wherein the first topology, the host topology and the intermediate topology are different from each other, wherein the first web browser and the second web browser are different from each other;

synchronizing using the intermediate topology, the first mapping relationship and the second mapping relationship, by receiving at the device bookmarks on the host and transmitting from the device bookmarks on the device to the host.

20. The method as in claim 19 wherein the intermediate topology is a canonical topology and wherein the synchronizing comprises adding bookmarks to bookmarks of the first web browser or to bookmarks of the second web browser.

21. The method of claim 20 wherein the first web browser is configured to be one of at least three different web browsers and wherein a bookmark comprises at least one of a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) and an address of a resource, and wherein the device is a handheld data processing system and the host is a data processing system.

22. A non-transitory or non-transmissible computer readable storage medium storing executable program instructions which when executed cause a data processing system to perform operations comprising:

storing in a memory a first mapping relationship between a first topology of bookmarks of a first web browser on a device and an intermediate topology of bookmarks, wherein the intermediate topology shows an association of bookmarks between different topologies, wherein the first topology includes an arrangement of different bookmarks specified by the first web browser, wherein the first topology includes at least two of a) bookmark folders;

(b) a bookmark bar;

(c) a bookmark menu; and

(d) bookmarks at a top level, wherein the first mapping relationship is associated with mapping the first bookmarks of the first web browser in the first topology to second bookmarks in the intermediate topology, and wherein the intermediate topology further allows a second mapping relationship between a host topology of bookmarks of a second web browser on a host and the intermediate topology, wherein the second mapping relationship is associated with mapping third bookmarks of the second web browser in the host topology to the second bookmarks in the intermediate topology, wherein the host topology of the bookmarks of the second web browser includes an arrangement of different bookmarks specified by the second web browser that includes at least two of a) bookmark folders;

(b) a bookmark bar;

(c) a bookmark menu; and

(d) bookmarks at a top level, wherein the first topology, the host topology and the intermediate topology are different from each other, wherein the first web browser and the second web browser are different from each other;

synchronizing using the intermediate topology, the first mapping relationship and the second mapping relationship, by receiving at the device bookmarks on the host and transmitting from the device bookmarks on the device to the host.

23. The medium as in claim 22 wherein the intermediate topology is a canonical topology and wherein the synchronizing comprises adding bookmarks to bookmarks of the first web browser or to bookmarks of the second web browser.

24. The medium of claim 23 wherein the first web browser is configured to be one of at least three different web browsers and wherein a bookmark comprises at least one of a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) and an address of a resource, and wherein the device is a handheld data processing system and the host is a data processing system.

25. A data processing system comprising:

a memory;

means for storing in the memory a first mapping relationship between a first topology of bookmarks of a first web browser on a device and an intermediate topology of bookmarks, wherein the intermediate topology shows an association of bookmarks between different topologies, wherein the first topology includes an arrangement of different bookmarks specified by the first web browser, wherein the first topology includes at least two of a) bookmark folders;

(b) a bookmark bar;

(c) a bookmark menu; and

(d) bookmarks at a top level, wherein the first mapping relationship is associated with mapping the first bookmarks of the first web browser in the first topology to second bookmarks in the intermediate topology, and wherein the intermediate topology further allows a second mapping relationship between a host topology of bookmarks of a second web browser on a host and the intermediate topology, wherein the second mapping relationship is associated with mapping third bookmarks of the second web browser in the host topology to the second bookmarks in the intermediate topology, wherein the host topology of the bookmarks of the second web browser includes an arrangement of different bookmarks specified by the second web browser that includes at least two of a) bookmark folders;

(b) a bookmark bar;

(c) a bookmark menu; and

(d) bookmarks at a top level, wherein the first topology, the host topology and the intermediate topology are different from each other, wherein the first web browser and the second web browser are different from each other;

means for synchronizing using the intermediate topology, the first ma in relationship and the second mapping relationship, by receiving at the device bookmarks on the host and transmitting from the device bookmarks on the device to the host.