Data processing environment with methods providing contemporaneous synchronization of two or more clients

Abstract

A synchronization system providing multi-client synchronization is described. By storing the data that is actually being synchronized (i.e., storing the actual physical body of a memo, for instance) inside an extra database, 'Grand Unification Database' (GUD), (or by specially-designated client data set) under control of a central or core synchronization engine, rather than transferring such data on a point-to-point basis, the system of the present invention provides a repository of information that is available at all times and does not require that any other synchronization client (e.g., PIM client or hand-held device) be connected. The GUD provides a super-set of the other client data sets. Therefore, if the user now includes an additional client, such as a server computer storing user information, the synchronization system has all the information necessary for synchronizing the new client, regardless of whether any of the other clients are currently available. The system can, therefore, correctly propagate information to any appropriate client without having to 'go back' to (i.e., connect to) the original client from which that data originated.