US5727202A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for synchronizing information on two different computer systems
Assignee: Access Co Ltd
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Filing: 1995-10-18
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Granted: 1998-03-10
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Expires: 2015-10-18
Abstract
Abstract Many users of handheld computing devices or "palmtops" also own personal computers (PCs) running applications that manage data similar to the data carried in the palmtops. In such cases, the users are likely to want the data on the palmtop to be synchronized with the data on the PC. A method and apparatus reconciles records on a palmtop with corresponding records on a PC.
Inventors
- 👤 Gregory R. Kucala
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 10:33
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06Q; G06Q10/00; G06Q10/10; G06Q10/109; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S707/00; Y10S707/99931; Y10S707/99951; Y10S707/99952; Y10S707/99953
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
107 words
A method for reconciling a first file and a second file, said second file corresponding to said first file, said first file and said second file each containing records, said method comprising: comparing said first file and said corresponding second file with a backup file containing records from a previous reconciliation of said first file and said corresponding second file to identify new, updated or deleted records; creating a reconcile file containing information pertaining to said new, updated or deleted records identified in said step of comparing; and copying contents of said reconcile file to said first file, said corresponding second file and a new backup file.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
107 words
A method for reconciling a first file and a second file, said second file corresponding to said first file, said first file and said second file each containing records, said method comprising: comparing said first file and said corresponding second file with a backup file containing records from a previous reconciliation of said first file and said corresponding second file to identify new, updated or deleted records; creating a reconcile file containing information pertaining to said new, updated or deleted records identified in said step of comparing; and copying contents of said reconcile file to said first file, said corresponding second file and a new backup file.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method as described in claim 1 wherein said first file, said corresponding second file and backup file are calendar files.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method as described in claim 1 wherein said first file resides on a personal computer (PC).
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method as described in claim 3 wherein said second file resides on a palmtop.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method as described in claim 1 further including the step of creating said backup file containing said records from said previous reconciliation of said first file and said corresponding second file prior to performing the steps of claim 1.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method as described in claim 1 further including the step of comparing said first file with said corresponding second file and with said backup file to determine new, updated or deleted records.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
311 words
A method for reconciling a first file, a second file corresponding to said first file, and a backup file, said backup file containing records from a previous reconciliation, said method comprising: copying a first record from said first file into a reconcile file when said first record is added to said first file, and said first record is not in said backup file; copying a second record from said first file into said reconcile file when an identical said second record is added to said first file and said corresponding second file, and said second record is not in said backup file; copying a third record in said first file into said reconcile file when said third record is modified in said first file and a corresponding third record is deleted from said second file, and said third record in said first file is not in said backup file; copying a fourth record from said first file into said reconcile file when said fourth record is modified in said first file, and said fourth record is not in said backup file; copying a fifth record from said first file into said reconcile file when said fifth record in said first file is modified and an identical modification is made to a corresponding fifth record in said second file, and said fifth record in said first file and said corresponding fifth record in said second file are not in said backup file; and copying a sixth record from said first file and a corresponding sixth record from said second file into said reconcile file when said sixth record in said first file is modified and a different modification is made to said corresponding sixth record in said second file, and said sixth record in said first file and said corresponding sixth record in said second file are not in said backup file.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
311 words
A method for reconciling a first file, a second file corresponding to said first file, and a backup file, said backup file containing records from a previous reconciliation, said method comprising: copying a first record from said first file into a reconcile file when said first record is added to said first file, and said first record is not in said backup file; copying a second record from said first file into said reconcile file when an identical said second record is added to said first file and said corresponding second file, and said second record is not in said backup file; copying a third record in said first file into said reconcile file when said third record is modified in said first file and a corresponding third record is deleted from said second file, and said third record in said first file is not in said backup file; copying a fourth record from said first file into said reconcile file when said fourth record is modified in said first file, and said fourth record is not in said backup file; copying a fifth record from said first file into said reconcile file when said fifth record in said first file is modified and an identical modification is made to a corresponding fifth record in said second file, and said fifth record in said first file and said corresponding fifth record in said second file are not in said backup file; and copying a sixth record from said first file and a corresponding sixth record from said second file into said reconcile file when said sixth record in said first file is modified and a different modification is made to said corresponding sixth record in said second file, and said sixth record in said first file and said corresponding sixth record in said second file are not in said backup file.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method as described in claim 7 wherein said first file, said corresponding second file and said backup file are calendar files.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
143 words
An apparatus for reconciling records in corresponding files, said apparatus comprising the elements of: a first computer including a first file containing records and a backup file containing records from a previous reconciliation between said first and said second computer; a second computer including a second file containing records, said second file corresponding to said first file; a communications link for linking said first and second computers; means for comparing said first file and said second file with said backup file to identify new, updated or deleted records; means for storing information pertaining to said new, updated or deleted records identified in said means for comparing in a reconcile file; and means for copying contents of said reconcile file to said first file on said first computer, said second file on said second computer and a new backup file on said first computer.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
143 words
An apparatus for reconciling records in corresponding files, said apparatus comprising the elements of: a first computer including a first file containing records and a backup file containing records from a previous reconciliation between said first and said second computer; a second computer including a second file containing records, said second file corresponding to said first file; a communications link for linking said first and second computers; means for comparing said first file and said second file with said backup file to identify new, updated or deleted records; means for storing information pertaining to said new, updated or deleted records identified in said means for comparing in a reconcile file; and means for copying contents of said reconcile file to said first file on said first computer, said second file on said second computer and a new backup file on said first computer.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus as described in claim 9 wherein said first file, said second file and said backup file are calendar files.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus as described in claim 9 wherein said first computer is a personal computer (PC).
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus as described in claim 11 wherein said second computer is a palmtop.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
136 words
An article of manufacture comprising a computer usable mass storage medium having computer readable program code means embodied therein for causing a processing means to reconcile a first file and a second file, said second file corresponding to said first file, said first and said second files each containing records, said computer readable program code means in said article of manufacture comprising: means for comparing said first file and said corresponding second file with a backup file containing records from a previous reconciliation of said first file and said corresponding second file to identify new, updated or deleted records; means for storing information pertaining to said new, updated or deleted records identified in said step of comparing; and means for copying said results to said first file, said corresponding second file and a new backup file.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
136 words
An article of manufacture comprising a computer usable mass storage medium having computer readable program code means embodied therein for causing a processing means to reconcile a first file and a second file, said second file corresponding to said first file, said first and said second files each containing records, said computer readable program code means in said article of manufacture comprising: means for comparing said first file and said corresponding second file with a backup file containing records from a previous reconciliation of said first file and said corresponding second file to identify new, updated or deleted records; means for storing information pertaining to said new, updated or deleted records identified in said step of comparing; and means for copying said results to said first file, said corresponding second file and a new backup file.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
23 words
The article of manufacture as described in claim 13 wherein said first file, said second file and said backup file are calendar files.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
31 words
The article of manufacture as described in claim 13 wherein said means for storing the results of said step of comparing comprises means for creating a reconcile file containing said results.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
32 words
The article of manufacture as described in claim 13 wherein said means for storing the results of said step of comparing comprises means for creating a temporary data structure containing said results.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method as described in claim 13 further including the step of creating said backup file containing said records from said previous reconciliation of said first file and said corresponding second file prior to performing the steps of claim 11.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method as described in claim 13 further including the step of comparing said first file with said corresponding second file and with said backup file to determine new, updated or deleted records.
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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) | 2001-03-09 | 2001-09-08 | 2002-03-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-03-09 | 2005-09-08 | 2006-03-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-03-09 | 2009-09-08 | 2010-03-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |