초록 ▼

A method for synchronizing the data between two separate computer systems is described. In a first aspect of the invention, the method includes the step of identifying each record stored in the memory of the first computer system that is intended to be synchronized. The records are identified with a

A method for synchronizing the data between two separate computer systems is described. In a first aspect of the invention, the method includes the step of identifying each record stored in the memory of the first computer system that is intended to be synchronized. The records are identified with a unique identification indicia and an indicia that indicates the last time that the record was altered. Using the time of the last synchronization information, each of the selected records that was added to or deleted from one of the computer systems since the last synchronization is identified and added to or deleted from the other computer system. Further, each of the records that was modified on one computer system is modified on the other. If conflicting actions have occurred on the two computer systems, then the conflicts are handled in accordance with a predetermined protocol. In a preferred aspect, a synchronization list is created that identifies each of these additions, deletions and modifications and either prioritizes them in accordance with the protocol or informs the user of the conflicts.

대표청구항 ▼

[ We claim:] [1.] A method for synchronizing data records stored in a first computer system with corresponding data records stored in a second computer system, each computer system having memory capable of storing a multiplicity of selected records that are intended to be synchronized, the method co

[ We claim:] [1.] A method for synchronizing data records stored in a first computer system with corresponding data records stored in a second computer system, each computer system having memory capable of storing a multiplicity of selected records that are intended to be synchronized, the method comprising the steps of:identifying each record stored in the memory of the first computer system that is intended to be synchronized with a unique identification indicia and an indicia that indicates a time when the record was last altered;initiating communication between the first computer system and the second computer system;identifying to the second computer system a name indicator of the first computer system that is intended to be synchronized;determining the last time that the records of the first computer system were synchronized with the second computer system in accordance with the name indicator of the first computer system;identifying each of the selected records that was deleted on the first computer system since last synchronized with the second computer system and for each such deleted record on the first computer system, deleting the corresponding record from the second computer system;identifying each of the selected records that was added to the first computer system since last synchronized with the second computer system and for each record that was added to the first computer system, copying such new record to the second computer system to create a corresponding record in the second computer system;identifying each of the selected records in the first computer system that both has a corresponding record in the second computer system and was modified on the first computer system since last synchronized; andsynchronizing the modified records between the first and second computer system;wherein said record deleting step, said record adding step and said modified record synchronizing step cooperate to synchronize the records stored in the first computer system with records stored in the second computer system,wherein the second computer system is capable of synchronizing with a plurality of different first computer systems that may each have different data, andwherein said identifying of the first computer system that is intended to be synchronized is selected from the plurality of different first computer systems based on the name indicators for each of the plurality of different first computer systems, each of the name indicators being a unique indicia.