Data processing: database and file management or data structures – Database design – Data structure types
Reexamination Certificate
1999-10-04
2004-02-17
Corrielus, Jean M. (Department: 2172)
Data processing: database and file management or data structures
Database design
Data structure types
C707S793000, C707S793000, C707S793000, C709S203000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06694335
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to synchronization of data. More specifically, the present invention relates to systems and methods that allow two or more copies of data to be synchronized so that changes made to one copy of the data can be identified, transferred and incorporated into the other copies of the data, while minimizing the processing and data transfer needed to accomplish the synchronization.
2. Description of Related Art
Computers are an important tool that allows individuals in many locations to access information at almost any time. In addition, computers can be used to perform a variety of tasks including communicating, calculating, documents handling, storing and retrieving information, imaging and entertaining. Significantly, computers can allow multiple parties to access and share information, and this is becoming increasingly vital to businesses and individuals. For example, information is often stored on a network to allow multiple users access to the same information. Access to the network is frequently provided by local area networks (LANs) at the office, or by modems when at home or traveling or other Internet connections.
With the increasing accessibility and sharing of information between multiple users, it is now more common than ever for multiple users to simultaneously or in tandem work on shared data objects such as word processing documents, spread sheets, electronic forms, electronic mail messages (E-mail), graphic images, or a variety of other such data objects. Because of the shared use of these data objects among multiple users, there arises a need for each user to keep all other users of the same data objects or the same set of data objects apprised of changes that are made locally by that user. Thus, all copies of the same data objects should be updated so that each user has access to the most current version. This process of updating the data objects is called synchronization and it includes transferring incremental changes (e.g., creation of new data objects, modification of existing data objects, or deletion of existing data objects) made at one location to one or more other locations so that each copy of the data objects is the same.
Conventional computer systems often include a network or enterprise of remote or locally connected servers, and each server includes a copy of the data objects or sets of data objects. The user may then access a copy of one or more of the shared data objects or sets of data objects stored on a server in order to gain access to the desired information. In particular, these conventional computer systems allow a user to make copies of the desired data objects or sets of data objects, and store those objects on a local computer such as a personal or lap top computer. The local computer could then be accessed and used when it was not connected to the network (i.e., the local computer is “logged off” the network). This allows the local computer to be used in any desired location, and the data objects could be used, modified, changed or deleted as desired by the user while the local computer was not connected to the network. For example, the user can read, move and delete E-mail messages on the local computer, and the network can simultaneously receive new E-mails or existing E-mails can be read, deleted or changed by other users. The local computer, however, will not be aware of the changes on the network, and the network will not be aware of the changes on the local computer, until the data is synchronized.
Conventional systems often synchronized the local computer and network by transferring entire sets of data from the data source to the data recipient. In particular, these known systems updated the data objects by copying the entire contents of the file with the data objects between the local computer and the server. Thus, for example, if the user was updating the calendar or E-mail programs, the entire contents of the calendar or E-mail file were often duplicated and transmitted because the system did not know which items were changed or modified. Disadvantageously, transferring the entire file is time consuming and inefficient because information that has not been changed is copied and transferred between the client to the server. Alternatively, the user had to manually identify the new or modified information so that these files could be updated to the computer or network. Disadvantageously, this required additional time and effort by the computer user and if many files were modified, this was often a tedious process.
Conventional systems also used the date and time stamp in an attempt to synchronize data objects stored in the local computer and on the network. In particular, the date and time that the local computer was disconnected from a network server was saved by the server. When the local computer was once again connected, the server would ask for all changes that occurred since the last time it was connected. Disadvantageously, this known system does not work well where copies of the data objects have to be copied from one server to another server. For example, when two or more servers are connected together, information is shared and transferred between the servers at predetermined intervals such as every 15 minutes. Accordingly, if the local computer was last connected to the network server at 11:30 a.m. and is currently reconnecting to the same network server at noon, then that server can ask the local computer for all changes that occurred since 11:30 a.m. Suppose the local computer disconnects at 12:05 p.m. and at 12:10 p.m. a change is received by the first server from a second server that occurred at 11:55 a.m. When the local computer reconnects to the first server, it will ask for changes that occurred after 12:05 p.m. and the 11:55 a.m. change will never be retrieved. Another drawback of this conventional system is it may not be able to retrieve all changes that previously occurred if the user connects to a different server. Thus, the user typically has to reconnect to the same server each time. Furthermore, this system is susceptible to problems caused by time changes and other related difficulties.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A need therefore exists for a system and method for synchronizing two or more copies of data that eliminates the above-described disadvantages and problems.
One aspect of the present invention is a system and method for synchronizing two or more copies of data. Preferably, the system and method synchronize incremental changes to the data such that each copy of the data is up-to-date. In particular, the system and method allows shared copies of the data between a mobile or local computer system and a computer network or server so that both the local computer and the server contain symmetrical, up-to-date copies of the data. Advantageously, the system and method provide multiple parties access to the same current data, and the data can be quickly and efficiently synchronized because only the changed data is updated.
Another aspect of the present invention is a generalized synchronization system and method that can be used with a wide variety of applications and programs. For example, the system and method may be used with any suitable data, data objects, databases, folders, systems, programs and the like. Additionally, the system and method can readily synchronize data between a client or local computer system, such as a laptop or portable computer, and a network including one or more servers. It will be appreciated that the term “client system” may refer to any system that desires to synchronize data with the network. It will also be appreciated that this synchronization can be performed over any suitable communication lines such as a data link, local area network (LAN), modem, etc.
Yet another aspect of the present invention is a system and method that allows data to be synchronized between two different machines, without copying or transferring data or even manifest that has not been changed. Preferably, t
Anderson Rebecca L.
Deen Brian J.
Hopmann Alexander I.
Corrielus Jean M.
Microsoft Corporation
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