Automatic data synchronization

• US 20080005280A1
• Filed: 06/30/2006
• Published: 01/03/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/30/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Malikie Innovations Limited (Key Patent Innovations Limited)
• Original Assignee: Blackberry Limited
• Inventors: Adams, Neil
• Application Number:
  US11/477,479
• Publication Number:
  US 20080005280A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/219
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/275 Synchronous replication
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/214 using selective forwarding
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/58 Message adaptation for wireless communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/1095 Replication or mirroring of data, e.g. scheduling or transport for data synchronisation between network nodes

Abstract

The proposed solution relates to methods and systems for automatically synchronizing data between an email server and a handheld computing device based on an event occurring on a personal computer communicating with the server. A module in the personal computer monitors events in the operating system of the personal computer that signifies that the user is either away from the vicinity of the computer or is about to leave the computer. Upon detecting these events, the module initiates an automatic synchronization of data between the server and the handheld computing device. This way, emails which have already been seen or responded to by the user on the computer will appear as such on the handheld computing device.

Claims

1. A method for ensuring data synchronization between centrally stored email data in a server and a handheld computing device of a user, the method comprising:

a) detecting at least one specific event at a computer of said user;

b) upon detection of said at least one event, transmitting a message from said computer to said server to initiate a synchronization process for synchronizing email data between said server and said device, said data being specifically related to said user wherein

said at least one specific event is selected from a group consisting of;

a shutdown of said computer;

an activation of a specific program on said computer, said activation indicating inactivity on said computer for a predetermined period of time;

a shutdown of a specific program on said computer, said shutdown indicating activity on said computer after a period of inactivity;

an initiation of said computer;

a change in availability of a short range wireless connection between said computer and said device.

2. A method according to claim 1 wherein said email data comprises email for said user.

3. A method according to claim 1 wherein step a) is accomplished by calling a specific function in an operating system of said computer.

4. A method according to claim 1 wherein said specific program on said computer comprises a screen saver.

5. A method according to claim 1 wherein said short range wireless connection is a Bluetooth compliant connection.

6. A method according to claim 1 wherein step a) comprises determining a previous availability and a current availability of said short range wireless connection.

7. A method according to claim 1 wherein step a) comprises detecting if a specific message is sent by an operating system of said computer to at least one open process on said computer.

8. A method according to claim 7 wherein said specific message is a shutdown message indicating an impending shutdown of said operating system.

9. A method according to claim 3 wherein said specific function returns a result indicating whether said at least one specific event has occurred.

14. Computer readable media according to claim 1 wherein said short range wireless connection is a Bluetooth compliant connection.

10. Computer readable media having encoded thereon computer readable code embodying a method for ensuring data synchronization between centrally stored email data in a server and a handheld computing device of a user, the method comprising:

a) detecting at least one specific event at a computer of said user;

b) upon detection of said at least one event, transmitting a message from said computer to said server to initiate a synchronization process for synchronizing email data between said server and said device, said data being specifically related to said user wherein

said at least one specific event is selected from a group consisting of;

a shutdown of said computer

an activation of a specific program on said computer, said activation indicating inactivity on said computer for a predetermined period of time;

a shutdown of a specific program on said computer, said shutdown indicating activity on said computer after a period of inactivity;

an initiation of said computer;

a change in availability of a short range wireless connection between said computer and said device.

11. Computer readable media according to claim 10 wherein said email data comprises email for said user.

12. Computer readable media according to claim 10 wherein step a) is accomplished by calling a specific function in an operating system of said computer.

13. Computer readable media according to claim 10 wherein said specific program on said computer comprises a screen saver.

15. Computer readable media according to claim 10 wherein step a) comprises determining a previous availability and a current availability of said short range wireless connection.

16. Computer readable media according to claim 10 wherein step a) comprises detecting if a specific message is sent by an operating system of said computer to at least one open process on said computer.

17. Computer readable media according to claim 16 wherein said specific message is a shutdown message indicating an impending shutdown of said operating system.

18. Computer readable media according to claim 12 wherein said specific function returns a result indicating whether said at least one specific event has occurred.