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US6308201B1 Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

System and method for sharing data among a plurality of personal digital assistants

Assignee: PLUSFACTOR SOFTWARE
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Filing: 1999-04-08
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Granted: 2001-10-23
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Expires: 2019-04-08
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Abstract

Abstract A system and method are provided for sharing data among a plurality of users. Included are a plurality of personal digital assistants, or PDA's, each suitable for storing a plurality of personal data sets thereon. Associated therewith is a server including a plurality of server data sets stored thereon. A communication link between the PDA's and the server is adapted for synchronizing the server data sets with the personal data sets in order to obtain the personal data set of one PDA on another PDA, thereby synchronizing the personal data sets between different PDA's. The personal data sets of each of the PDA's have personal identification codes assigned thereto and the server data sets of the server have server identification codes assigned thereto. A map correlating the personal identification codes and the server identification codes is stored on at least one of the PDA's, the server, and a computer in which the communication link is resident for identification purposes during synchronization of the personal data sets and the server data sets.

Inventors

  • 👤 Alvin Pivowar
  • 👤 Steve Hanrahan
  • 👤 Pete Grillo

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-29 17:28
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06Q; G06Q10/00; G06Q10/10; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S707/00; Y10S707/99951; Y10S707/99952

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 48
Claim 1
Independent Claim 205 words
A system for sharing data among a plurality of users comprising: a plurality of portable data storage modules each suitable for storing a plurality of personal data sets thereon; a server including a plurality of server data sets stored thereon; and a communication link between the portable data storage modules and the server for synchronizing the server data sets with the personal data sets in order to obtain the personal data set of one portable data storage module on another portable data storage module, thereby synchronizing the personal data sets between different portable data storage modules wherein the synchronization of the personal data sets between different portable data storage modules only occurs on personal data sets that are to be shared; said personal data sets of each of the portable data storage modules having personal identification codes assigned thereto and the server data sets of the server having server identification codes assigned thereto, wherein a correlation between the personal identification codes and the server identification codes is stored on at least one of the portable data storage module, the server, and a computer in which the communication link is resident for identification purposes during synchronization of the personal data sets and the server data sets.
Claim 2
Independent Claim 205 words
A system for sharing data among a plurality of users comprising: a plurality of portable data storage modules each suitable for storing a plurality of personal data sets thereon; a server including a plurality of server data sets stored thereon; and a communication link between the portable data storage modules and the server for synchronizing the server data sets with the personal data sets in order to obtain the personal data set of one portable data storage module on another portable data storage module, thereby synchronizing the personal data sets between different portable data storage modules wherein the synchronization of the personal data sets between different portable data storage modules only occurs on personal data sets that are to be shared; said personal data sets of each of the portable data storage modules having personal identification codes assigned thereto and the server data sets of the server having server identification codes assigned thereto, wherein a correlation between the personal identification codes and the server identification codes is stored on at least one of the portable data storage module, the server, and a computer in which the communication link is resident for identification purposes during synchronization of the personal data sets and the server data sets.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 17 words
The system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the personal data sets include task oriented information.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 22 words
The system as recited in claim 2 , wherein the personal data sets include at least one of contact and calendar information.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 27 words
The system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the communication link is resident in a client computer and is connected to the server via a network.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 21 words
The system as recited in claim 4 , wherein the network is at least one of the Internet and an intranet.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 40 words
The system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the communication link includes a link controller suitable for interfacing the portable data storage modules, and a client messenger in communication with the link controller and suitable for interfacing the server.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 39 words
The system as recited in claim 6 , wherein the client messenger is further suitable for interfacing local memory for synchronizing a plurality of local data sets stored thereon with the personal data sets and the server data sets.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 40 words
The system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the personal data sets and the server data sets each has three fields of information stored therewith including a name field, an identification field, and an index field for facilitating synchronization.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 19 words
The system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the correlation is stored on the portable data storage modules.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 50 words
The system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the synchronization of the personal data sets of different portable data storage modules only occurs on personal data sets specifically marked to be shared by including the server identification codes of the personal data sets of other portable data storage modules.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 77 words
The system as recited in claim 1 , wherein a conflict occurs when particular personal data sets of a first one of the portable data storage modules is synchronized with the server data sets before the particular personal data sets of a second one of the portable data storage modules is synchronized with the server data sets, and the particular personal data sets of the first and second portable data storage modules are marked to be shared.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 38 words
The system as recited in claim 11 , wherein the conflict is resolved by marking the particular personal data sets of the second portable data storage module and alerting a user of the conflict via a user interface.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 20 words
The system as recited in claim 11 , wherein the conflict is resolved by replicating the particular personal data sets.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 32 words
The system as recited in claim 11 , wherein the conflict is resolved by synchronizing the particular personal data sets of the second portable data storage module with the server data sets.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 33 words
The system as recited in claim 11 , wherein the conflict is resolved by not synchronizing the particular personal data sets of the second portable data storage module with the server data sets.
Claim 17
Independent Claim 166 words
A method for sharing data among a plurality of users comprising the operations of: storing a plurality of personal data sets on a plurality of portable data storage modules; establishing a communication link between at least one of the data storage modules and a server; obtaining the personal data set of one portable data storage module on another portable data storage module by synchronizing the personal data sets with a plurality of server data sets stored on the server wherein the synchronization of the personal data sets between different portable data storage modules onlv occurs on personal data sets that are to be shared, said personal data sets of each of the portable data storage modules having personal identification codes assigned thereto and the server data sets of the server having server identification codes assigned thereto; and accessing a correlation between the personal identification codes and the server identification codes that is stored on at least one of the portable data storage module and the server.
Claim 18
Independent Claim 166 words
A method for sharing data among a plurality of users comprising the operations of: storing a plurality of personal data sets on a plurality of portable data storage modules; establishing a communication link between at least one of the data storage modules and a server; obtaining the personal data set of one portable data storage module on another portable data storage module by synchronizing the personal data sets with a plurality of server data sets stored on the server wherein the synchronization of the personal data sets between different portable data storage modules onlv occurs on personal data sets that are to be shared, said personal data sets of each of the portable data storage modules having personal identification codes assigned thereto and the server data sets of the server having server identification codes assigned thereto; and accessing a correlation between the personal identification codes and the server identification codes that is stored on at least one of the portable data storage module and the server.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim 77 words
The method as recited in claim 16 , wherein a conflict occurs when particular personal data sets of a first one of the portable data storage modules is synchronized with the server data sets before the particular personal data sets of a second one of the portable data storage modules is synchronized with the server data sets, and the particular personal data sets of the first and second portable data storage modules are marked to be shared.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim 16 words
The method as recited in claim 16 , wherein the personal data sets include task-oriented information.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim 22 words
The method as recited in claim 18 , wherein the personal data sets include at least one of contact and calendar information.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim 27 words
The method as recited in claim 16 , wherein the communication link is resident in a client computer and is connected to the server via a network.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim 21 words
The method as recited in claim 20 , wherein the network is at least one of the Internet and an intranet.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim 40 words
The method as recited in claim 16 , wherein the communication link includes a link controller suitable for interfacing the portable data storage modules, and a client messenger in communication with the link controller and suitable for interfacing the server.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim 39 words
The method as recited in claim 22 , wherein the client messenger is further suitable for interfacing local memory for synchronizing a plurality of local data sets stored thereon with the personal data sets and the server data sets.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim 40 words
The method as recited in claim 16 , wherein the personal data sets and the server data sets each has three fields of information stored therewith including a name field, an identification field, and an index field for facilitating synchronization.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim 19 words
The method as recited in claim 16 , wherein the correlation is stored on the portable data storage modules.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim 50 words
The method as recited in claim 16 , wherein the synchronization of the personal data sets of different portable data storage modules only occurs on personal data sets specifically marked to be shared by including the server identification codes of the personal data sets of other portable data storage modules.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim 38 words
The method as recited in claim 17 , wherein the conflict is resolved by marking the particular personal data sets of the second portable data storage module and alerting a user of the conflict via a user interface.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim 33 words
The method as recited in claim 17 , wherein the conflict is resolved by not synchronizing the particular personal data sets of the second portable data storage module with the server data sets.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim 20 words
The method as recited in claim 17 , wherein the conflict is resolved by replicating the particular personal data sets.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim 32 words
The method as recited in claim 17 , wherein the conflict is resolved by synchronizing the particular personal data sets of the second portable data storage module with the server data sets.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim 166 words
A computer program embodied on a computer readable medium for providing a communication link between a server and a portable data storage module comprising: a code segment for synchronizing a plurality of personal data sets on a portable data storage module with a plurality of server data sets on a server wherein the synchronization of the personal data sets between different portable data storage modules only occurs on personal data sets that are to be shared; a code segment for sharing the personal data sets on the portable data storage module with another portable data storage module via the server, said personal data sets of each of the portable data storage modules having personal identification codes assigned thereto and the server data sets of the server having server identification codes assigned thereto; and a code segment for accessing a correlation between the personal identification codes and the server identification codes that is stored on at least one of the portable data storage module and the server.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim 166 words
A computer program embodied on a computer readable medium for providing a communication link between a server and a portable data storage module comprising: a code segment for synchronizing a plurality of personal data sets on a portable data storage module with a plurality of server data sets on a server wherein the synchronization of the personal data sets between different portable data storage modules only occurs on personal data sets that are to be shared; a code segment for sharing the personal data sets on the portable data storage module with another portable data storage module via the server, said personal data sets of each of the portable data storage modules having personal identification codes assigned thereto and the server data sets of the server having server identification codes assigned thereto; and a code segment for accessing a correlation between the personal identification codes and the server identification codes that is stored on at least one of the portable data storage module and the server.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim 78 words
The computer program as recited in claim 31 , wherein a conflict occurs when particular personal data sets of a first one of the portable data storage modules is synchronized with the server data sets before the particular personal data sets of a second one of the portable data storage modules is synchronized with the server data sets, and the particular personal data sets of the first and second portable data storage modules are marked to be shared.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim 39 words
The computer program as recited in claim 32 , wherein the conflict is resolved by marking the particular personal data sets of the second portable data storage module and alerting a user of the conflict via a user interface.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim 17 words
The computer program as recited in claim 31 , wherein the personal data sets include task-oriented information.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim 22 words
The computer program as recited in claim 34 , wherein the personal data sets include at least one contact and calendar information.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim 28 words
The computer program as recited in claim 31 , wherein the communication link is resident in a client computer and is connected to the server via a network.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim 22 words
The computer program as recited in claim 36 , wherein the network is at least one of the Internet and an intranet.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim 41 words
The computer program as recited in claim 31 , wherein the communication link includes a link controller suitable for interfacing the portable data storage modules, and a client messenger in communication with the link controller and suitable for interfacing the server.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim 40 words
The computer program as recited in claim 38 , wherein the client messenger is further suitable for interfacing local memory for synchronizing a plurality of local data sets stored thereon with the personal data sets and the server data sets.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim 41 words
The computer program as recited in claim 31 , wherein the personal data sets and the server data sets each has three fields of information stored therewith including a name field, an identification field, and an index field for facilitating synchronization.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim 20 words
The computer program as recited in claim 31 , wherein the correlation is stored on the portable data storage modules.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim 51 words
The computer program as recited in claim 31 , wherein the synchronization of the personal data sets of different portable data storage modules only occurs on personal data sets specifically marked to be shared by including the server identification codes of the personal data sets of other portable data storage modules.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim 34 words
The computer program as recited in claim 32 , wherein the conflict is resolved by not synchronizing the particular personal data sets of the second portable data storage module with the server data sets.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim 33 words
The computer program as recited in claim 32 , wherein the conflict is resolved by synchronizing the particular personal data sets of the second portable data storage module with the server data sets.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim 21 words
The computer program as recited in claim 32 , wherein the conflict is resolved by replicating the particular personal data sets.

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 2004-10-22 2005-04-23 2005-10-23 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 2008-10-22 2009-04-23 2009-10-23 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2012-10-22 2013-04-23 2013-10-23 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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