US6330618B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for synchronizing a portable computer system with a desktop computer system
Assignee: Access Systems Americas Inc
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Filing: 1999-05-25
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Granted: 2001-12-11
•
Expires: 2019-05-25
Abstract
Abstract A tightly integrated the 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.
Inventors
- 👤 Jeffrey C. Hawkins
- 👤 Monty Boyer
- 👤 Joe Sipher
- 👤 Lih-Shyng Tzeng
- 👤 Greg Kucala
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 10:48
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F1/00; G06F1/16; G06F1/1613; G06F1/1632; G06F1/1626; G06F16/00; G06F16/20; G06F16/27; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S707/00; Y10S707/99931; Y10S707/99938; Y10S707/99941; Y10S707/99944; Y10S707/99945; Y10S707/99951; Y10S707/99952; Y10S707/99953
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
93 words
A computer implement method of synchronizing information on a portable computer, said method comprising the steps of: initiating a first synchronization process in a first personal computer to synchronize information stored on said portable computer, said portable computer coupled to said first personal computer through a local communication link; locating a preferred second personal computer coupled to said first personal computer across a network; initiating a second synchronization process in said preferred second personal computer; and synchronizing said information stored on said portable computer with said preferred second personal computer across said network.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
93 words
A computer implement method of synchronizing information on a portable computer, said method comprising the steps of: initiating a first synchronization process in a first personal computer to synchronize information stored on said portable computer, said portable computer coupled to said first personal computer through a local communication link; locating a preferred second personal computer coupled to said first personal computer across a network; initiating a second synchronization process in said preferred second personal computer; and synchronizing said information stored on said portable computer with said preferred second personal computer across said network.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of storing a network address of said preferred second personal computer system in said portable computer system.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said synchronization process on said first personal computer acts as a pass-through to said second synchronization process on said preferred second personal computer system.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1 wherein a third synchronization process on said portable computer system requests a synchronization with said first synchronization process in said first personal computer system.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 4 wherein said communication link comprises a PPP connection.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said network implements the TCP/IP suite of protocols.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
130 words
An apparatus for synchronizing information between computer systems, said apparatus comprising: a portable computer system; a first personal computer system; a local communication link coupling said portable computer system with said first personal computer system; a preferred second personal computer system; a network coupling said first personal computer system to said preferred second personal computer system; a first synchronization program on said first personal computer system that transmits information from said portable computer system to said preferred second personal computer; and a second synchronization program on said preferred second computer system, said second synchronization program on said preferred second computer system synchronizing with said portable computer system through said first synchronization program on said first computer system, wherein said second synchronization program monitors said network for packets requesting a synchronization.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
130 words
An apparatus for synchronizing information between computer systems, said apparatus comprising: a portable computer system; a first personal computer system; a local communication link coupling said portable computer system with said first personal computer system; a preferred second personal computer system; a network coupling said first personal computer system to said preferred second personal computer system; a first synchronization program on said first personal computer system that transmits information from said portable computer system to said preferred second personal computer; and a second synchronization program on said preferred second computer system, said second synchronization program on said preferred second computer system synchronizing with said portable computer system through said first synchronization program on said first computer system, wherein said second synchronization program monitors said network for packets requesting a synchronization.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said network comprises a network running the TCP/IP suite of protocols.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said local communication link comprises a serial communications link.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus of claim 7 further comprising: a third synchronization program on said portable computer system, said third synchronization program synchronizing with said second synchronization program on said preferred second computer system through said first personal computer system.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
89 words
A computer implement method of synchronizing information on a portable computer with a personal computer, said method comprising the steps of: initiating a first synchronization process in said portable computer; initiating a communication link between said first synchronization process in said portable computer and said personal computer using at least one modem; requesting a synchronization with a second synchronization process in said personal computer to synchronize information stored on said portable computer; synchronizing said information stored on said portable computer with preferred second personal computer through said communication link.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
89 words
A computer implement method of synchronizing information on a portable computer with a personal computer, said method comprising the steps of: initiating a first synchronization process in said portable computer; initiating a communication link between said first synchronization process in said portable computer and said personal computer using at least one modem; requesting a synchronization with a second synchronization process in said personal computer to synchronize information stored on said portable computer; synchronizing said information stored on said portable computer with preferred second personal computer through said communication link.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
95 words
A computer implement method of synchronizing information on a portable computer, said method comprising the steps of: initiating a first synchronization process in said portable computer; initiating a communication link between said first synchronization process in said portable computer and a remote access server, said remote access server coupled to a local area network; locating a preferred personal computer coupled to said local area network; requesting a synchronization with a second synchronization process in said preferred personal computer; synchronizing said information stored on said portable computer with said preferred personal computer through said communication link.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
95 words
A computer implement method of synchronizing information on a portable computer, said method comprising the steps of: initiating a first synchronization process in said portable computer; initiating a communication link between said first synchronization process in said portable computer and a remote access server, said remote access server coupled to a local area network; locating a preferred personal computer coupled to said local area network; requesting a synchronization with a second synchronization process in said preferred personal computer; synchronizing said information stored on said portable computer with said preferred personal computer through said communication link.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 12 wherein said local network implements the TCP/IP suite of protocols.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
124 words
An apparatus for synchronizing information between computer systems, said apparatus comprising: a portable computer system; a remote access server; a local communication link coupling said portable computer system with said remote access server; a preferred personal computer system; a network coupled to said remote access server and said preferred personal computer system; a first synchronization program on said portable computer system that transmits information from said portable computer system to said preferred personal computer; and a second synchronization program on said preferred computer system, said second synchronization program on said preferred computer system synchronizing with said portable computer system by communicating with said first synchronization program on said portable computer system, wherein said second synchronization program monitors said network for packets requesting a synchronization.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
124 words
An apparatus for synchronizing information between computer systems, said apparatus comprising: a portable computer system; a remote access server; a local communication link coupling said portable computer system with said remote access server; a preferred personal computer system; a network coupled to said remote access server and said preferred personal computer system; a first synchronization program on said portable computer system that transmits information from said portable computer system to said preferred personal computer; and a second synchronization program on said preferred computer system, said second synchronization program on said preferred computer system synchronizing with said portable computer system by communicating with said first synchronization program on said portable computer system, wherein said second synchronization program monitors said network for packets requesting a synchronization.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said network comprises a network running the TCP/IP suite of protocols.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said local communication link comprises a PPP connection.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
115 words
A method of synchronizing computer systems, said method comprising the steps of: synchronizing a portable computer to a first personal computer; assigning a first unique synchronization token to said portable computer after said step of synchronizing; initiating a synchronization between said portable computer and a second personal computer, said second personal computer having a second unique synchronization token; and testing said second unique synchronization token to determine if said second personal computer is the same as said first personal computer; performing a fast synchronization if said first unique synchronization token matches said second unique synchronization token; and performing a slow synchronization if said first unique synchronization token does not match said second unique synchronization token.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
115 words
A method of synchronizing computer systems, said method comprising the steps of: synchronizing a portable computer to a first personal computer; assigning a first unique synchronization token to said portable computer after said step of synchronizing; initiating a synchronization between said portable computer and a second personal computer, said second personal computer having a second unique synchronization token; and testing said second unique synchronization token to determine if said second personal computer is the same as said first personal computer; performing a fast synchronization if said first unique synchronization token matches said second unique synchronization token; and performing a slow synchronization if said first unique synchronization token does not match said second unique synchronization token.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2004-12-10 | 2005-06-11 | 2005-12-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-12-10 | 2009-06-11 | 2009-12-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-12-10 | 2013-06-11 | 2013-12-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |