Apple Inc.

Jérôme Lebel

Toby Paterson

Hitherto synchronization of a number of devices has involved a large number of comparison steps between actual data or changes in data. Such comparison has potentially involved extensive redundant comparison steps. Another problem with existing synchronization methods is that such synchronization has been effected based upon the systems clocks defined by the devices. Those system clocks can be modified either intentionally or malevolently with disastrous consequences for subsequent synchronization of the devices. Accordingly, the present invention relates to a method of synchronization between three or more devices, the method involves: storing an indication of the device or devices involved in each synchronization event; storing data changes received during a current synchronization event together with the device submitting those changes; and applying the data changes subsequent to the stored synchronization event for the or each device.

Method of synchronizing between three or more devices

The present invention comprises a method of data synchronization between multiple devices by, in one embodiment, classifying one device to be a primary device and other devices to be subsidiary devices. Synchronization is performed, in one embodiment, by updating the primary device with data from the subsidiary devices, and then updating each subsidiary device using data from the updated primary device. The exemplary data synchronization according to the present invention can accommodate for absent devices, avoid redundant synchronization operations, accommodate for data truncation or translation and preserve synchronization of relationships. The devices may be any one of computers, handheld devices (e.g. a Palm device), personal digital assistants, music devices, and mobile telephones. The data to be synchronized may include any data, and even applications can be synchronized.

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Paris, France

Jérôme Lebel