Palmsource Inc.

Palm, Incorporated

Access Company, Ltd.

Smith Micro Software, Inc.

Access Systems Americas, Inc.

Alvin I Pivowar

William Leonard Mills

Tom Butler

Pete Grillo

Steve Hanrahan

Jayita Poddar

Robert G McKenzie

Robert Scheussler

Daniel C Budge

David Glass

Mike Wells

Atul Gupta

Gerard George Pallipuram

Uma D Gouru

Thomas C Butler

Peter Grillo

A method and system for N-way synchronization of computer databases. Synchronization of computer databases is structured into three rounds, namely an agenda round, a query round and a report round. In the agenda round, a synchronization agent software module inquires of a common synchronization engine for updates to the agent's database and provides information as to the level of information in the agent's database. During a query round, a common synchronization engine may request information from databases with new information and distribute that database information to databases needing the new information during a report round. Multiple agents, each representing an associated database may participate a synchronization. In addition, various special purpose agents may also receive, provide and otherwise operate on synchronization information.

N-way synchronization of computer databases

A method and system for synchronization of computer databases using caching agents. In one embodiment, information is accessed from a first database. The information is stored into a persistent store, which may be a permanent media, such as a magnetic disk. The information is retrieved from the persistent store. Such retrieval may be in close time proximity to the storing, or the retrieval may be at a substantially different time from the storing. The synchronization is completed by updating a second database with the information retrieved by the caching agent from the persistent store. As an advantageous result, synchronization of computer databases is more efficient due to an optimized storage format for the information as well as maximum bandwidth access. As a further beneficial result, if a database is not present at the time of synchronization, embodiments of the present invention may enable synchronization capabilities unavailable under the prior art.

Synchronization of computer databases using caching agents

One embodiment of the invention enables nodes or endpoints that have been involved with synchronization of data items to determine which version of a data item (if any) has priority over another version of that same data item. For example, one embodiment of the invention can include a method that can include the determination as to whether any data items have matching identities and conflicting priorities after the synchronization process. Provided a first and second data items have matching identities and conflicting priorities, a determination is made as to whether an indication had been made that the first data item is desirable over the second data item. Provided the indication had been made that the first data is desirable over the second data item, it is indicated that the first data item has priority over the second data item.

Determining priority between data items in shared environments

A single ended synchronization agent which communicates with a single endpoint. Responsive to instructions from a synchronization manager, a single ended synchronization agent transfers information between its endpoint and a common synchronization engine. Endpoints may include databases, hand held computers, communication links and the like. These novel single ended agent programs in cooperation with a common synchronization engine are able to synchronize databases. The agent programs need not implement synchronization logic and agent programs are required to understand only a single database. These aspects of the single ended agent programs greatly simplify the design, construction and maintenance of this software when compared with the prior art.

Single ended synchronization agents

One embodiment of the present invention enables nodes or endpoints involved with synchronization of data items to determine which version of a data item (if any) has priority over another version of that same data item. Within the present embodiment, when a data item is modified by a node, it is presumed that the modified data item takes priority over the previous version of that data item. Therefore, the 'descendant' data item (modified) takes precedence over its 'ancestor' data item (previous version). By including this type of &#x201c;pedigree&#x201d; information with data items involved with synchronization between different nodes or endpoints, the present embodiment enables the endpoints to determine which version of a data item (if any) has priority over another version of that same data item.

Determining priority between data items

Methods and devices for data serialization are described. Numbers are each encoded as one or more four-bit nibbles. Three bits of a nibble are for encoding some portion of a number and one bit of the nibble is for indicating whether encoding of the number is continued to another nibble. A begin command and an end command are used to bracket and thereby group selected nibbles. The numbers and the commands are serialized in a stream. An interpreter of the stream reads the numbers into data fields of a data object starting at the begin command. The interpreter automatically skips to the end command when the data fields are filled. As such, a newer version of an interpreter can read data serialized using an older version of an encoder, and an older version of an interpreter can read data serialized using a newer version of an encoder.

Methods and devices for binary object serialization

A non-modal help mode uses a verb/object paradigm where the current context of the application program for which the user needs help is determined and a help screen is provided which shows all of the actions that can be taken from that context. The non-modal help system includes a display screen providing a window for a number of output displays of an application program, a collection of pre-defined images mapped to the output displays by their context, a user input device for initiating non-modal help, and a non-modal displayer which displays one of the predefined images within the window in the place of its contextually-related output display. Preferably, the predefined images are stored as static bit map images including a dithered representation of the context in which the help was requested and a number of help balloons strategically positioned on the dithered image. Even more preferably, the balloons are positioned manually by a graphic artist to maximize their placement on the dithered image. By providing a balloon to described the functionality of every (or most) of the active elements, a user is provided with a quick framework or &ldquo;Skeleton&rdquo; view of the meaning and operation of the various elements in the display.

Computerized help system with modal and non-modal modes

A system and method are provided for sharing data among a plurality of users. Included are a plurality of personal digital assistants, or PDA's, each suitable for storing a plurality of personal data sets thereon. Associated therewith is a server including a plurality of server data sets stored thereon. A communication link between the PDA's and the server is adapted for synchronizing the server data sets with the personal data sets in order to obtain the personal data set of one PDA on another PDA, thereby synchronizing the personal data sets between different PDA's. The personal data sets of each of the PDA's have personal identification codes assigned thereto and the server data sets of the server have server identification codes assigned thereto. A map correlating the personal identification codes and the server identification codes is stored on at least one of the PDA's, the server, and a computer in which the communication link is resident for identification purposes during synchronization of the personal data sets and the server data sets.

System and method for sharing data among a plurality of personal digital assistants

Video messages are created in a manner that allows transparent delivery over any electronic mail (e-mail) system. The audio and video components of the message are recorded, encoded, and synchronously combined into a video message file. A player is selectively attached to the video message file to create an executable file which can be delivered as a standard binary file over conventional communications networks. To view the received video e-mail, the recipient executes the received file and the attached player automatically plays the video and audio message or the recipient executes the previously installed player which plays the video message.

E-mail system with video e-mail player

A system and method are provided for sharing data among a plurality of users via an intermittently accessed network. Included are a plurality of personal digital assistants, or PDA's, each suitable for storing a plurality of personal data sets thereon. Also provided is a server for synchronizing a plurality of server data sets stored thereon with the personal data sets stored on the PDA's. A plurality of client computers are included for providing a communication link between the PDA's and the server. Each communication link is suitable for obtaining the personal data set of one PDA on another PDA, thereby synchronizing the personal data sets between different PDA's. In the absence of communication between the client computer and the server, the communication link is further suitable for interfacing local memory of the corresponding client computer to synchronize a plurality of local data sets stored thereon with the personal data sets during synchronization.

System and method for synchronizing data among a plurality of users via an intermittently accessed network

A portable, hand-held personal digital assistant is provided for simultaneously depicting multiple calendars on a single display. The personal digital assistant includes a portable, hand-held housing including a top face, a bottom face, and a side wall therebetween for defining an interior space. An input device is situated on the top face of the housing for allowing input of data. Associated therewith is a display situated on the top face of the housing for depicting data. Situated in the interior space of the housing is memory for storing a plurality of calendars each including a plurality of scheduled matters. Finally, controller is situated in the interior space of the housing and connected between the input device, the display, and the memory. The controller serves for simultaneously depicting a plurality of the calendars on the display. By conveniently displaying the multiple calendars, the present invention allows a user to more effectively manipulate the same.

Growing community of inventors

Camas, WA, United States of America

Alvin I Pivowar