Method and system for server synchronization with a computing device

• US 20030159136A1
• Filed: 02/25/2002
• Published: 08/21/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 09/28/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Oracle America, Inc. (Oracle Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Siebel Systems Inc. (Oracle Corporation)
• Inventors: Hanson, Aaron B., Scott, Brian, George, David J., Susser, Martin, Chung, Pi-Yu, Huang, Xiao Fei, Vejlstrup, Magnus, Rabbers, David L.
• Granted Patent: US 7,761,535 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 717/171
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/273 Asynchronous replication or reconciliation
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/275 Synchronous replication
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99954 Version management

Abstract

A method and system for synchronizing a main database of a server and a local database of a handheld device. A user can use an application residing in the handheld device to make transactions in the local database. During a synchronization operation, the handheld device and server are coupled. The system then determines whether the application should be updated and, if so, causes the server to provide an update. The system also causes the handheld device to provide to the server information related to the transactions made by the user to the local database. The system causes the server to perform transactions on the main database based on the transaction information. The system also causes the server to extract data from the main database. The server can then provide at least some of the extracted data to the handheld device to update the local database.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

coupling a handheld device to a server, the server having a first database and the handheld device having a second database, the handheld device having an application that allows a user to access the second database;

determining whether the application needs to be updated;

causing the server to provide to the handheld device an application update if the application needs to be updated;

causing the handheld device to record transactions performed on the second database by a user;

causing the handheld device to provide to the server transaction information, wherein the transaction information is related to the recorded transactions;

causing the server to perform a transaction on the first database based on the transaction information;

causing the server to extract data from the first database to be used to update the second database; and

causing the server to provide to the handheld device at least a portion of the extracted data.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the server provides metadata to the handheld device in providing the application update.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein coupling the handheld device to the server comprises coupling the handheld device to a companion device that can be coupled to the server.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein a synchronization engine is configured to cause the server to provide to the handheld device at least one of the application update or the extracted data.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the synchronization engine resides in the server.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein the synchronization engine resides in a companion device that is coupled to the server and the handheld device.

7. The method of claim 4, wherein synchronization engine resides in the handheld device.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein a synchronization manager is configured to cause the handheld device to provide to the server the transaction information.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the synchronization manager resides in the handheld device.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the synchronization manager resides in a companion device that is coupled to the server and the handheld device.

11. A system, comprising:

means for coupling a handheld device to a server, the server having a first database and the handheld device having a second database, the handheld device having an application to allow a user to access the second database;

means for determining whether the application needs to be updated;

means for causing the server to provide to the handheld device an application update if the application needs to be updated;

means for causing the handheld device to record transactions performed on the second database by a user;

means for causing the handheld device to provide to the server transaction information, the transaction information describing at least in part the recorded transactions;

means for causing the server to perform a transaction on the first database as described in the transaction information;

means for causing the server to extract data from the first database to be used to update the second database; and

means for causing the server to provide to the handheld device at least a portion of the extracted data.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the application update comprises metadata.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein the means for coupling the handheld device to the server comprises a companion device connected to the server and the handheld device.

14. The system of claim 11 further comprising a synchronization engine that includes the means for causing the server to provide to the handheld device the application update and the means for causing the server to provide to the handheld device the extracted data.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the synchronization engine resides in the server.

16. The system of claim 14, wherein the synchronization engine resides in a companion device that is coupled to the server and the handheld device.

17. The system of claim 14, wherein synchronization engine resides in the handheld device.

18. The system of claim 14, wherein the synchronization engine also includes the means for causing the server to extract data.

19. The system of claim 14, wherein the synchronization engine also includes the means for causing the server to perform a transaction.

20. The system of claim 11, further comprising a synchronization manager that includes the means for causing the handheld device to provide to the server the transaction information.

21. The system of claim 20, wherein the synchronization manager resides in the handheld device.

22. The system of claim 20, wherein the synchronization manager resides in a companion device that is coupled to the server and the handheld device.

23. The system of claim 20, wherein the synchronization manager also includes the means for causing the handheld device to record transactions.

24. The system of claim 20, wherein synchronization manager also includes the means for causing the handheld device to record transactions.

25. A system comprising:

a server having a first database and a synchronization engine, wherein the synchronization engine includes;

a metadata unit to provide update information for an application,

a transaction processor to perform a transaction on the first database, and

a data extractor to extract data from the first database; and

a handheld device coupled to the server, the handheld device having a second database and a synchronization client, the application to provide a user interface to the second database, wherein the synchronization client includes;

a metadata importer to receive the update information,

a transaction recorder to record transaction information of transactions performed on the second database by a user, and

a data importer to update data stored in the second database based on data extracted from the first database.

26. The system of claim 25, wherein the handheld device is coupled to the server through a companion device.

27. The system of claim 25, wherein the handheld device further comprises a transaction database to store transaction information.

28. A system comprising:

a server having a main database and a synchronization engine, wherein the synchronization engine includes;

a metadata unit to provide update information for an application,

a transaction processor to perform a transaction on the main database, and

a data extractor to extract data from the main database; and

a companion device couplable to the server, the companion device having a second database and a synchronization client, wherein the synchronization client includes;

a metadata importer to receive the update information, and

a data importer to update data stored in the second database based on data extracted from the first database; and

a handheld device couplable to the companion device, the application residing in the handheld device to provide a user interface to the local database, wherein the handheld device further includes;

a local database, and

a transaction recorder to record transaction information of transactions performed on the local database by a user via the application.

29. The system of claim 28, wherein the handheld device further comprises a transaction database to store transaction information.

30. The system of claim 28, wherein the handheld device further comprises a data storer to store extracted data in the local database.