Method and apparatus for synchronizing a portable computer system with a desktop computer system

• US 6,728,786 B2
• Filed: 09/26/2001
• Issued: 04/27/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 01/30/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Palmsource Incorporated (Access Company Limited)
• Original Assignee: Palmsource Incorporated (Access Company Limited)
• Inventors: Hawkins, Jeffrey C., Kucala, Greg, Tzeng, Lih-Shyng, Sipher, Joe, Boyer, Monty
• Primary Examiner(s): Meky, Moustafa M.
• Application Number:
  US09/965,243
• Publication Number:
  US 20020073139A1
• Time in Patent Office: 944 Days
• Field of Search: 709/200, 709/201, 709/203, 709/217, 709/218, 709/219, 709/223, 709/227, 709/248, 707/201, 707/202, 707/104, 710/100
• US Class Current: 709/248
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1626 with a single-body enclosure integrating a flat display, e.g. Personal Digital Assistants [PDAs]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/27 Replication, distribution or synchronisation of data between databases or within a distributed database system; Distributed database system architectures therefor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99938 Concurrency, e.g. lock management in shared database
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99945 Object-oriented database structure processing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99952 Coherency, e.g. same view to multiple users
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99953 Recoverability

Abstract

A tightly integrated palmtop computer system and personal computer system is disclosed. The palmtop computer system and personal computer system synchronize with each other to share information. The synchronization software recognizes different synchronization environments including: synchronizing multiple palmtop computer systems with a single personal computer system; synchronizing a single palmtop computer system with multiple personal computer systems; synchronizing a palmtop computer system with a remote personal computer system across a network using a local personal computer system; and remotely synchronizing with a personal computer system across a telephone line. The synchronization software handles each different synchronization environment appropriately with minimal user interaction.

Claims

1. A computer implemented method for synchronizing records between computer systems, wherein the method is performed on a portable computer and comprises the steps of:

connecting to a first computer using a local port, wherein the first computer is coupled to a second computer through a network;

in response to the second computer executing a first set of synchronization instructions to synchronize a first set of records on the portable computer;

receiving the first set of records from the second computer through the local port; and

executing a second set of synchronization instructions for synchronizing the first set of records with a set of existing records that are stored on the portable computer.

2. The computer implemented method of claim 1, wherein executing a second set of synchronization instructions includes deleting one or more records from the set of existing records.

3. The computer implemented method of claim 1, wherein executing a second set of synchronization instructions includes replacing the set of existing records with the first set of records.

4. The computer implemented method of claim 1, wherein receiving the first set of records through the local port includes receiving one or more records for use with an address book application.

5. The computer implemented method of claim 1, wherein receiving the first set of records through the local port includes receiving one or more records for use with a calendar application.

6. The computer implemented method of claim 1, further comprising sending an identification of the portable computer to the second computer using the network.

7. The computer implemented method of claim 6, wherein sending an identification of the portable computer includes sending the identification that is based on a name of a user of the portable computer.

8. The computer implemented method of clam 1, further comprising:

recognizing that the first computer is preferred for the portable computer; and

indicating to a user that the second computer is not preferred prior to performing the step of receiving the first set of records from the second computer.

9. A computer implemented method for synchronizing records between computer systems, wherein the method is performed on a first computer and comprises the steps of:

connecting to a portable computer using a local port;

connecting to a second computer using a network;

in response to the second computer executing a first set of synchronization instructions to synchronize a first set of records on the portable computer;

transferring the first set of records sent from the second computer through the network to the portable computer using the local port; and

enabling a second set of synchronization instructions to be executed on the portable computer in order to cause the first set of records to be synchronized with a set of existing records on the portable computer.

10. The computer implemented method of claim 9, further comprising executing at least a portion of the second set of synchronization instructions.

11. The computer implemented method of claim 9, wherein enabling a second set of synchronization instructions to be executed includes enabling one or more records to be deleted from the set of existing records.

12. The computer implemented method of claim 9, wherein enabling a second set of synchronization instructions to be executed includes enabling the set of existing records to be replaced with the first set of records.

13. The computer implemented method of claim 9, wherein transferring a first set of records includes transferring one or more records for use with an address book application.

14. The computer implemented method of claim 9, wherein transferring a first set of records includes transferring one or more records for use with a calendar application.

15. The computer implemented method of claim 9, further comprising providing an identification of the portable computer to the second computer.

16. The computer implemented method of claim 15, wherein providing an identification of the portable computer includes providing an identification of a user of the portable computer.

17. The computer implemented method of claim 9, further comprising:

recognizing the first computer as preferred for the portable computer; and

signaling to a user that the second computer is not preferred.

18. The computer implemented method of claim 9, wherein the step of transferring a first set of records port is performed in response to the steps of:

recognizing the first computer as preferred for the portable computer; and

causing a signal that informs a user that the second computer is not preferred to be provided to the user.

19. A computer implemented method for synchronizing records between computer systems, the method comprising performing the following steps on a first computer:

the first computer connecting to a portable computer using a network connection between the first computer and a second computer and a local port between the second computer and the portable computer;

said first computer executing a first set of synchronization instructions; and

wherein execution of said first set of instructions by said first computer causes;

said first computer to transfer a first set of records to the portable computer, and

said portable computer to synchronize the first set of records received from the first computer with a set of existing records that are stored on the portable computer.

20. The computer implemented method of claim 19, wherein executing a first set of synchronization instructions causes comparing the first set of records to the set of existing records.

21. The computer implemented method of claim 19, wherein executing a first set of synchronization instructions causes one or more records to be deleted from the set of existing records.

22. The computer implemented method of claim 19, wherein executing a first set of synchronization instructions causes the set of existing records to be replaced with the first set of records.

23. The computer implemented method of claim 19, wherein executing a first set of synchronization instructions causes transferring one or more records for use with an address book application.

24. The computer implemented method of claim 19, wherein executing a first set of synchronization instructions causes transferring one or more records for use with a calendar application.

25. The computer implemented method of claim 19, wherein executing a first set of synchronization instructions is performed in response to recognizing that another computer is preferred for the portable computer.

50. A computer-readable medium carrying one or more sequences of instructions which, when executed by one or more processors, causes the one or more processors to perform the method recited in claim 19.

51. A computer-readable medium carrying one or more sequences of instructions which, when executed by one or more processors, causes the one or more processors to perform the method recited in claim 20.

52. A computer-readable medium carrying one or more sequences of instructions which, when executed by one or more processors, causes the one or more processors to perform the method recited in claim 21.

53. A computer-readable medium carrying one or more sequences of instructions which, when executed by one or more processors, causes the one or more processors to perform the method recited in claim 22.

54. A computer-readable medium carrying one or more sequences of instructions which, when executed by one or more processors, causes the one or more processors to perform the method recited in claim 23.

55. A computer-readable medium carrying one or more sequences of instructions which, when executed by one or more processors, causes the one or more processors to perform the method recited in claim 24.

56. A computer-readable medium carrying one or more sequences of instructions which, when executed by one or more processors, causes the one or more processors to perform the method recited in claim 25.

26. The computer implemented method of 19, wherein executing a first set of synchronization instructions is performed in response to the steps of:

recognizing that another computer is preferred for the portable computer; and

causing a signal that informs a user that the second computer is not preferred to be provided to the user.

57. A computer-readable medium carrying one or more sequences of instructions which, when executed by one or more processors, causes the one or more processors to perform the method recited in claim 26.

27. A portable computer comprising:

a local port configured to locally connect to a first computer, wherein the first computer is coupled to a second computer over a network;

a memory that stores a set of records; and

a processor configured to;

use the local port to connect to the first computer and communicate with a second computer that is coupled to the first computer over the network;

wherein in response to the second computer executing a first set of synchronization instructions to synchronize a first set of records on the portable computer, the processor is configured to receive the first set of records from the second computer through the local port, and to execute a second set of synchronization instructions for synchronizing the first set of records with the set of existing records.

28. The portable computer of claim 27, wherein the processor is configured to execute the second set of synchronization instructions to replace the set of existing records with the first set of records.

29. The portable computer of claim 27 wherein the processor is configured to execute the second set of synchronization instructions to delete the set of existing records.

30. The portable computer of claim 27, wherein the processor is configured to execute an address book application, and wherein at least some of the first set of records includes records for use with the address book application.

31. The portable computer of claim 27, wherein the processor is configured to execute a calendar application, and wherein at least some of the first set of records includes records for use with the calendar application.

32. A computer readable medium for synchronizing records between computer systems, the computer readable medium carrying instructions for performing the steps of:

connecting a portable computer to a first computer using a local port, wherein the first computer is coupled to a second computer through a network;

in response to the second computer executing a first set of synchronization instructions to synchronize a first set of records on the portable computer;

receiving the first set of records from the second computer through the local port; and

executing a second set of synchronization instructions for synchronizing the first set of records with a set of existing records that are stored on the portable computer.

33. The computer readable medium of claim 32, wherein instructions for executing a second set of synchronization instructions include instructions for deleting one or more records from the set of existing records.

34. The computer readable medium of claim 32, wherein instructions for executing a second set of synchronization instructions include instructions for replacing the set of existing records with the first set of records.

35. The computer readable medium of claim 32, wherein instructions for receiving the first set of records through the local port include instructions for receiving one or more records for use with an address book application.

36. The computer readable medium of claim 32, wherein instructions for receiving the first set of records through the local port include instructions for receiving one or more records for use with a calendar application.

37. The computer readable medium of claim 32, further comprising instructions for sending an identification of the portable computer to the second computer using the network.

38. The computer readable medium of claim 37, wherein instructions for sending an identification of the portable computer include instructions for sending the identification that is based on a name of a user of the portable computer.

39. The computer readable medium of claim 32, further comprising instructions for performing the steps of:

recognizing that the first computer is preferred for the portable computer; and

indicating to a user that the second computer is not preferred prior to performing

the step of receiving the first set of records from the second computer.

48. The computer readable medium of claim 32, wherein the computer readable medium resides on the portable computer.

49. The computer readable medium of claim 32, wherein the computer readable medium resides on the first computer.

40. A portable computer comprising:

a local port for connecting the portable computer to a first computer, wherein the first computer is coupled to a second computer over a network;

means for connecting to the first computer using the local port;

means for receiving the first set of records sent from the second computer over the network to the first computer and through the local port to the portable computer; and

means for executing, in response to the second computer executing a first set of synchronization instructions to synchronize the first set of records on the portable computer, second set of synchronization instructions for synchronizing the first set of records with a set of existing records that are stored on the portable computer.

41. The portable computer of claim 40, wherein the means for executing a second set of synchronization instructions includes means for deleting one or more records from the set of existing records.

42. The portable computer of claim 40, wherein the means for executing a second set of synchronization instructions includes means for replacing the set of existing records with the first set of records.

43. The portable computer of claim 40, wherein the means for receiving the first set of records through the local port includes means for receiving one or more records for use with an address book application.

44. The portable computer of claim 40, wherein the means for receiving the first set of records through the local port includes means for receiving one or more records for use with a calendar application.

45. The portable system of claim 40, further comprising means for sending an identification of the portable computer to the second computer using the network.

46. The portable computer of claim 45, wherein the means for sending an identification of the portable computer includes means for sending the identification that is based on a name of a user of the portable computer.

47. The portable computer of claim 40, further comprising:

means for recognizing that the first computer is preferred for the portable computer; and

means for indicating to a user that the second computer is not preferred prior to performing the step of receiving the first set of records from the second computer.