Single click data synchronization of public and private data

• US 20020038316A1
• Filed: 05/17/2001
• Published: 03/28/2002
• 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.
• Granted Patent: US 6,944,651 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 707/204
• 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 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 where the public information is to be stored.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said step of selecting comprises searching a public information source utilizing a search engine to retrieve public information and identifying the public information results of 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 the e-mail from a user who has selected 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 step of initiating a sync request comprises selecting a virtual request button.

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 further includes the step, following said step of identifying, of synchronizing the public information data with the private information space.

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

14. The method of claim 1 wherein said private information space 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 space 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 space comprises a private information data store and 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 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.

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 information data with the private information space.

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 space 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 data source and exchanging information with the private information data source

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.

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 information to the private information store.

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

code enabling a sync enable capable public information web site; and

code responsive to the sync enable button mapping the public content to a field and transmitting the mapped data to a private information store.

31. The system of claim 30 wherein said code enabling said sync button directs a client web browser to the private information store provider.

32. The system of claim 30 wherein said code responsive to the sync enable button generates a window which includes a user login and retrieving login information input by a user.

33. The system of claim 30 wherein said system further includes at least one synchronization routine synchronizing the public content with the private information store.

34. The system of claim 30 wherein said private information store comprises a quantity of data which is selected by and retained by a particular user.

35. The system of claim 30 wherein said private information space is retained on a server which is coupled to a global communications network and at least one information storage device.

36. The system 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. The system 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.

39. The method of claim 38 wherein said step of receiving comprises receiving data responsive to a search of a 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.

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 information comprises storing the information 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 mapped data and generate transactions providing the mapped data to said at least one personal information device.

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

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

transmitting the public information identified in the receiving step to the private information store.

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

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

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

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