SmartPhone Technologies LLC v. Apple, Inc. et al

Filing 1

COMPLAINT against AT&T Mobility LLC, AT&T, Inc., Apple, Inc. ( Filing fee $ 350 receipt number 0540-3314474.), filed by SmartPhone Technologies LLC. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A, # 2 Exhibit B, # 3 Exhibit C, # 4 Exhibit D, # 5 Exhibit E, # 6 Exhibit F, # 7 Civil Cover Sheet)(Ward, Thomas)

EXHIBIT E

111111

1111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
US005832489A

United States Patent

[11]

Kucala
[54]

[73]

Assignee: 3 Com Corporation, Santa Clara,
Calif.

[21]

Filed:

Zabn et aI., Network Computing Architecture, pp. 1-11,
19-31; 87-115; 117-133; 187-199; 201-209 (1990).

Oct. 8, 1997

IntelliLink Brochure (1990).

Related U.S. Application Data
[63]
[51]
[52]
[58]

"Logical Connectivity: Applications, Requirements, Architecture, and Research Agenda," Stuart Madnick & Y. Richard Wang, MIT, System Sciences, 1991, Hawaii Int'l, vol. 1,
IEEE, Jun. 1991.

Continuation of Ser. No. 544,927, Oct. 18, 1995, Pat. No .
5,727,2rJ2.

Int. Cl. 6 ... .... ..... .... ................ ..... ... .............. G06F 17/30
U.S. CI. .................................................... 707/10; 707/1
Field of Search ......................... 707/1-10, 100-104,
707/200-206; 395/281, 200.01; 701/29;
702/186

[56]

Nov. 3,1998

"Open Network Computing-Technical Overview," Sun
Technical Report, Sun Microsystems, Inc., pp. 1-32 (1987).

Appl. No.: 947,2l(i

[22]

Date of Patent:

User Manual for Connectivity Pack for the HP 95LX,
Hewlett Packard Company (1991).
Organizer Link II Operation Manual, Sharp Electronics
Corporation, No Date.

Gregory R. Kucala, Santa Cruz, Calif.

Inventor:

5,832,489

User Manual for PC-Link for the B.O.S.S. and the PC-Link
for the B.O.S.S., Traveling Software, Inc. (1989).

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR
SYNCHRONIZING INFORMATION ON TWO
DIFFERENT COMPUTER SYSTEMS

[75]

Patent Number:

[45]

[19]

."Automatically Syncbronized Objects", Research Disclnsure #29261, p. 614 (Aug. 1988). No copy available.
"FRx extends reporting power of Platinum Series: (IBM
Desktop Software's line of accounting software)", Doug
Dayton, PC Week, v. 8, No.5, p. 29(2), Feb. 1991.

References Cited
U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS

Primary Examiner-Thomas G. Black
Assistant Examiner-Ruay Lian Ho
Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Blakely, Sokoloff, Taylor &
Zafman LLP

4,432,057 2/1984 Daniell et al. .......................... 364/300
4,807,182 2/1989 Queen ..................................... 364/900
4,866,611 9/1989 Cree el al. .............................. 364/300
4,875,159 10/1989 Cary et aI ............................... 364/200
4,956,809 9/1990 George ct al. .......... .......... ...... 364/900
5,001,628 3/1991 Johnson el al. ........................... 707/10
5,065,360 11/1991 Kelly ....................................... 395/800

ABSTRACT

[57]

Many users of handheld computing devices or "palmtops"
also own personal computers running applications that manage data similar to the data carried in the palmtops. In such
cases, tbe users are likely to want tbe data on the palmtop to
be syncbronized with the data on the personal computer. A
method and apparatus reconciles records on a palmtop with
corresponding records on a personal computer.

(List continued on next page.)
OTIlER PUBLICATIONS
Cobb et aI., "Paradox 3.5 Handbook 3rd Edition", Bantam
(1991), pp. 803-816.
A1ieri, "The Best Book of: WordPerfect Version 5.0", Hayden Books (1988), pp. 153-165 and 429-435.

20 Claims, 4 Drawing Sheets

COMPARE CURRENT PALMTOP RECORDS WITH OLD RECORDS

COMPARE CURRENT PC RECORDS
WITH OLD RECORDS

~

CURRENT
.
PC CALENDAR " ---'-

---I

r----

\ _-fl~

CURRENT
PALMTOP
CALENDAR

OLD
CALENDAR

2lll

ill

202

1

1
I

1
1
1

-

1-------1
1
I
1

NEW
CALENDAR
onA

1
~.i_ _-:-_----:::c=
I

I ________ JI
<=
l
PALMTOP 1QQ

RECONCILE FILE

BACKUP

1 _ RESULTS OF
1
COMPARISONS
I
I

I
I
I

_ ..QI!!.EQ,TQR,Y W_ J

BACKUP FILE
PC 200

5,832,489
Page 2
U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
5, 142,6 19 811992 Webster, III ............................ 395/157
5, 187,787 2/1993 Skten ~t ,I. ......................... _ 3951600
5,210,868 511993 SIIimadi el ,I. ...................
3951600
S,D7,678 8/19')) Kuechlu el at. ..................H_ 39SKiOO
S,25I,'19 1 10/1993 Maloolnl ......
~
395/ 146
5,161,045 11/1993 5<:.. lIy ct al•. _ ......................... 395/ 16 .
5,261,094 1111993 Everson cl il. ....................
J9S}600
5,272,628 12/1993 Kou
~
364/41 9. 19
5,283,887 2/1994 bCMly .................................. 39SISOO
S,30I,313 4/1994 TCfll(b cl RI . .•................
39S!600
...................... 39S!600
5,315,7011 5/1994 Alston, Jr. Cl 31
S,J27,SSS 711994 And cBOn ................................ 3951600
5,333,252 7(1994 " 'ewer, III et ,I. .................... 3951148
5,339,392 8/1994 Il .... berg el II. ......................... 395/ 16 1
5,339,~ 34
8/1994 Rusi$ ......
............•........• 395nOO
M

HH •• _

.............

•••

••••

HH.

H •••••••••••

•• •• •• • • •••• • • •• • • ••

H

•••••••

5,355,476
5,392,l9O
5,43-4,994
5,463,m
5,475,8JJ
5,519,606
5,537,592
5,544,356
5,574,859
S,5n,66?
5,666,55]
5,684,990
5,696,702
5,101,423
5,n9,4S2

ICWI9!)4
2/1995
7/ I!I95
IQl I\19S
111IWS
~"96

711996

&' 996

Fukumurl •..•.•. ~ .... __ ..... _.••••.
Cft)litcl ._................. _ .............
Sltahiecn ct.1. ........_............ _
Thompson CI.1. ............ _.•••• _
IbuclC l cl . 1 __ ..... _..... __ .....
.
Flid· Nicbcn ..I ,I. ......... _.......
King d ,I. ....... _.....................
RobillSOn CI al. ••.•..... _.•.. _.....
Yell ...................... _.................
..............
Robinson el . 1.

39S16OO
395/161
39SJSOO
707/101
395/600
364/401
7071200

ma05

3951281
11/1996
707!2f)6
1/1997
9/1997 Cr07ie r ............. ...................... 39SJ803
11/ 1997 Boot hb), .....•.•.•......•.•....•........ 39Sj6 19
1111997 Ski nntl t l al.......................... 702J186
12J1997 Cft)7.i<:, .................................... 395/335
]/1998 SlIlith d 31. ..................... ........ 701/29

e
•
rJl
.
~

~

CURRENT
PALMTOP
CALENDAR

I

1Q1

CURRENT
PALMTOP FILES

I

Y

I

CURRENT
PC CALENDAR

201

r---------I I
I
OLD
CALENDAR

202
PALMTOP &
PC RECORDS

I
I
I
I
I
I
I

CURRENT
PC FILES

BACKUP
DIRECTORY z.oo.

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ --J

PALMTOP 1QQ I

z

0

~

~
~

\C
\C

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FIG. I

W
N
-.

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QC

\C

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•

00
.
~

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COMPARE CURRENT PALMTOP RECORDS WITH OLD RECORDS

~
"""""

COMPARE CURRENT PC RECORDS
WITH OLD RECORD\
S
CURRENT
PALMTOP
CALENDAR
101

~I

y

==
"""""

1_ - -, - --,
1

~

:~

OLD
CALENDAR

1

'---_ _ _mi;;ii0
;i;,l_
-

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1
i
1

~~

1
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.

1- - - - - - - - - 1

'0
'0

NEW

1

CALENDAR

......

RESULTS OF
COMPARISONS

QCl

I

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1

I

'Jl

,I

I

(1)

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I

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~

I
204 I
l ________ J

FIG. 2

-:d

I

i--

PALMTOP 100

z
o

RECONCILE FILE

BACKUP
'- .QI~ECTOR.Y ~~ _
BACKUP FILE
PC 200

=-

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.&:>.

Ul
-..
00
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~

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'-C

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rJJ.
.
....
==
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CALENDAR
1Q1
~

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PC CALENDAR

NEW
CALENDAR

201

~

~

•

~

\
COpy

PALMTOP 100

z
o
~

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,....

I.e
I.e
Q()

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•

nl

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CALENDAR

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DIRECTORY 2Qa
l
---------

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=-

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....

o

RECONCILE FILE
PC2QQ

""

Ul

FIG. 3

'be
w

N

~

~

OC

\C

c:
•

r.n
.

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r---------

NEW
PALMTOP
CALENDAR

ill

NEW
PC CALENDAR

1/

NEW
CALENDAR

201

~
:'I

~
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I

FIG. 4:

=

202

RECONCILE FILE

\C
\C

QC)

I

I
DELETED
I
I
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I ________ J
~I
L
PALMTOP 1QQ.

"""
~
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BACKUP
_ .Q/RECTORY 2m_ ~
BACKUP FILE
PC2QQ

00

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5,832,489

1

2

present invention to present a method that reconciles two
changeable databases without any user interactions.
Specifically, the present invention discloses a method and
apparatus for automatically reconciling records in corresponding files on palmtop and a personal computer (PC) by
This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 08/544,927,
comparing the records in the palmtop and PC files with the
filed Oct. 18,1995 and now U.S. Pat. No. 5,727,202.
records in a backup file in a backup directory from the
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
previous synchronization.
When a user is ready to synchronize information on the
This invention relates to the field of handheld computing
10 two computer systems, the palmtop is connected to the Pc.
devices. Specifically, the present invention discloses a
The present invention then compares each record of a file on
method and apparatus for synchronizing information
the palmtop with the records in the backup file in the backup
between a desktop computing system and a handheld comdirectory to determine whether each record on the palmtop
puting device.
file is new, updated or if it has been deleted from the palmtop
15 file. Next, a comparison is performed between the contents
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
of the corresponding file on the PC and the backup file in the
Handheld computing devices or "palmtops" typically
backup directory to determine whllther each record on the
weigh less than a pound and fit in a pocket. These palmtops
PC is new, updated or if it has been deleted from the PC file.
generally provide some combination of personal informaThe results of both compares are stored, e.g., in a new file
tion management, database functions, word processing and 20 called a reconcile file, or a temporary data structure. After all
spreadsheets. Users of palmtops may also own personal
tbe records in both files have been checked, the results of the
computers (PCs) running applications that manage data
compare, whether stored in a reconcile file or temporary data
similar to the data carried in the palmtops. In such cases, the
structure, are copied over the selected files on the palmtop,
user normally would want the data on their palmtop to be
the PC and the backup file in the backup directory, thus
easily synchronized with the data on their Pc.
25 guaranteeing that all three files are identical after the synchronization. The reconcile file is then deleted.
A number of programs today transfer data between palmtops and PCs, but they are currently limited in functionality.
Other objects, features and advantages of the present
Some programs transfer all the information from the palminvention will be apparent from the accompanying
top to the PC without regard for the prior content on the Pc.
drawings, and from the detailed description.
These programs assume that changes to that particular data 30
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
are only made on the palmtop, and that the changes made on
the palmtop take precedence over any changes made on the
The objects, features, and advantages of the present
Pc. As a result, any independent updates made directly on
invention will be apparent from the following detailed
the PC will be lost.
description of the preferred embodiment of the invention
Other methods use 'flags' to facilitate synchronization. 35 with references to the following drawings.
These methods create update 'nags' in each record that has
FIG. 1 illustrates a palmtop connected to a PC containing
changed, both on the palmtop and the PC. Corresponding
a backup file from the previous palmtop-PC synchronizafiles on the palmtop and the PC are then compared, and if
tion.
one or more flags are set in a file, the file is recognized as 40
FIG. 2 illustrates the comparison of a current palmtop
having changed. If both the palmtop and PC files have
calendar file and a current PC calendar file with the backup
changed, the flags are used to determine which records need
calendar file in the backup directory on the PC, and the
to be updated in the other file. The databases of most existing
writing of the results to a reconcile file.
programs, however, do not contain such flags since the
FIG. 3 illustrates the copying of the updated information
databases of most existing programs were not designed to be 45 in the reconciled calendar file to the backup calendar file in
synchronized. Thus, a different method must be used to
tbe backup directory, the PC and the palmtop.
synchronize data from programs that are already on the
[O]G. 4 illustrates the final result of the present invention,
market.
with the deletion of the reconcile file, leaving the backup
Some programs allempt to synchronize the data on the PC
calendar file in the backup directory, the PC calendar file and
with the palmtop by comparing the information in each 50 the palmtop calendar file synchronized.
application and prompting the user for answers to determine
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
which data to overwrite. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,392,
390 describes a method for reconciling information between
The present invention discloses a mt:thod and apparatus
two calendar database files by interrogating the user about
for automatically reconciling records i[] a file on a palmtop
which file to update when a difficult case arises. Although 55 with records in a corresponding file on a personal computer.
these types of programs provide an advantage over programs
In the following description, for purposes of explanation,
that assume only one database has changed since they do not
specific nomenclature is set forth to provide a thorough
indiscriminately overwrite data, they are cumbersome and
understanding of the present invention. However, it will be
time consuming. Using these methods, users may have to
apparent to one skilled in the art that these specific details
spend an inordinate amount of time answering questions 60 are not required to practice the present invention.
whenever they attempt to synchronize information between
Furthermore, the present invention is described using one
their palmtops and their PCs.
possible embodiment. For example, the present invention is
described with reference to calendar files. However, any
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
type of data files can be synchronized using the teachings of
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide 65 the present invention. 1bus, the teachings of the present
invention can be used to synchronize to-do lists, address
a solution to the probillm of synchronizing records on two
lists, phone lists, and any other record oriented database file.
different computer systems. It is a further object of the
METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR
SYNCHRONIZING INFORMATION ON TWO
DIFFERENT COMPUTER SYSTEMS

5,832,489

3

4

Referring to FIG. 1, wben a user is ready to synchronize
information on tbe two computer systems, palmtop computer 100 is connected to personal computer (PC) 200 with
a communication link 10. The communication link may
consist of a serial data line or any other type of data
communication line between tbe palmtop computer 100 and
PC 200. Palmtop computer 100 and PC 200 each contain
versions of corresponding files, 101 and 201. It is possible
and likely that corresponding files 101 and 201 have been
altered witb new, modified, and deleted records since tbe last
synchronization.
The synchronization process is conceptually illustrated in
FIG. 2. The synchronization process is controlled by computer instructions that can be stored on magnetic media on
tbe PC 200. The present invention IIses a backup directory
203 stored on the PC. Backup directory 203 contains a
backup file that stores the file state from a previous synchronization of the PC 200 and the palmtop 100. The backup
file is used to reconcile the record s in a file on the palmtop
computer 100 with the corresponding file in the Pc.
To create an initial backup directory 203, the palmtop and
PC files are merged. For example, if the PC 200 starts with
a calendar file and the palmtop 100 does not have a calendar
file, then PC calendar file 201 will be copied into a backup
calendar file 202 in tbe backup directory 203. Backup
calendar file 202 in backup directory 203 will be used to
create the same records on palmtop 100, thus synchronizing
palmtop calendar file 101 and PC calendar file 201 with
backup calendar file 202 in backup directory 203. If both PC
200 and palmtop 100 start out with calendar files, then the
two calendar files will bc merged, and exact duplicate
records will be filtered out. The resulting merged file will
tben be used for the palmtop calendar file 101, PC calendar
file 201, and the backup calendar file 202.

FIG. 2 illustrates the record synchronization process
where a PC calendar file 201 and a palmtop calendar file 101
each contain a plurality of records that have been modified .
The PC also contains backup calendar file 202 stored in
backup directory 203, comprising a calendar file from the
previous synchronization between palmtop computer 100
and PC 200. The plurality of records in tbe PC calendar file
201 and the corresponding palmtop calendar file 101 are
then each compared to the records in the corresponding
backup calendar file 202 in backup directory 203 to determine new, updated or deleted records. In one embodiment,
the results of the compare operations are then used to create
a single reconcile file 204 tbat contains al1 the new records,
modified records, and unmodified records. The delcted
records are removed. The contents of the reconcile file 204
are then copied to PC file 201, palmtop file 101, and backup
calendar file 202 in backup directory 203 (FIG. 3). All three
calendar files are thus synchronized. Finally reconcile file
204 is then deleted as il1ustrated in FIG. 4.

10

15

20

25

30

In another embodiment, the intermediatc results of tbe
compare operations may be stored in a temporary data
structure that contains all the new records, modified records,
and unmodified records. The deleted records are removed .
The contents of tbe data structure are tben copied to PC file
201, palmtop file 101, and baekup calendar file 202 in
backup directory 203 (FIG. 3). All three calendar files are
thus synchronized. The temporary data structure is no longer
used.
To fully describe what occurs during the comparison
process, Table 1 lists all the possible cases and what occurs
during the record synchronization process, according to one
embodiment.

TABLE 1
CONDITION

RESULT

METHOD

Rc(.'ord was adued lu a
file.
Record was added
into both files and
with exactly the same
contents.
Record was deleted
from one file but still
exists in the other.
Re co rd was deleted

Record is copied Lnlo
reconcile tile.
Record is copied into
reconcile file.

Re<.."OrcJ was nol found in
backup file or other file.
Record was not found in
backup file but matched exactly
a record in the other file.

Neither record is
copied in to the
reconcile file .
Copy changed record
Lola the reconcile
file.

Record was found ill one file
and the backup file but not the
other file .
The recoId that was deleted is
gone in both files so it cannol
be copied. The changed record
acts like a new record since it
does not exu..l in the backup
file.
The record that was deleted is
gone from both files so it
should not be copied.
Changed record is not found
in backup file making it appear
as a new record. The original
record in the other fi Ie
matches a record in the backup
but not in the original file
making it a deleted record.
Doth records are new but since
they match exactly only one
record Ls created in the
reconcile file for them.
Doth records appear as new
records since neither match

from one file bUl Lhe
same record in other
file has been changed.

Record was deJeted
from both files.
Record was modified
in one file.

Neither record is
copied into reconci.le
file.
Copy changed record
ioto the reconcile
file.

Same record was
changed in both files
exactly the same way.

Record is copied into
the reconcilt: fIle.

Same record was
changed in both files,

Both records are
copied into the

5,832,489

6

5
TABLE I-continued
CONDmON

RESULT

METHOD

but not in the exact
same way.

reconcile file ~

any records in the backup file.

The first column of Table 1 lists the possible conditions of
creating a reconcile file containing information pertaining
to said new, modified or deleted records identified in
the records in the files to be reconciled. The second column 10
said step of comparing; and
of Table 1 describes how each type of record condition is
copying contents of said reconcile file to said first file,
handled during the reconciliation process. The third column
said corresponding second file and a new backup file.
explains how each condition is recognized by the present
invention.
2. The method as described in claim 1 wherein said first
For example, in one embodiment, if a record is added into 15 file, said corresponding second file and backup file are
calendar files.
the calendar file on the palmtop 100 and a different record
3. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein creating a
is added into the corresponding calendar file on the PC 200,
reconcile file comprises:
then the synchronization system of the present invention will
copying a first record from said first file into said reconcile
copy both records into the reconcile file. The reconcile file
file when an identical said first record is added to said
will later be copied back into the backup calendar file in the 20
first file and said corresponding second file, and said
backup directory, the palmtop calendar file and the PC
first record is not in said backup file.
calendar file, sym:hronizing th~ records in the three calendar
4, Tbe method as described in claim 3 wherein said
files. Similarly, if the same record is changed in one way in
second file resides on a palmtop.
25
5 . A metbod for reconciling a first file, a second file
corresponding to said llrst file, and a backup file, said backup
into the reconcile file. Given that neither altered record will
file containing records [rom a previous reconciliation, said
match any records in the backup file, both records will then
method comprising:
appear as new records in the backup calendar file in the
backup directory, the palmtop calendar file and the PC
copying a first record from said first file into a reconcile
calendar file.
30
file when said first record is added to said first file, and
said first record is not in said backup file;
In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, key
copying a second record from said first file into said
contents of a record are identified. Key contents consist of
reconcile file when an identical said second record is
an index field or a group of fields that can be used for record
added to said first file and said corresponding second
compares. Matching key contents indicate that this is the 35
file, and said second record is not in said backup file;
same record. The preferred embodiment uses these key
contents to reduce the time to find matching records and
copying a tbird record in said first file into said reconcile
perform the compare .
file when said third record is modified in said first file
and a corresponding tbird record is deletcd from said
The embodiment of the present invention as described
second file, and said tbird record in said first file is not
above assumes that the palmtop files and the PC files bave 40
in said backup file;
records with identical field order and field names. However,
this is not necessary to practice the synchronization method
copying a fourtb record from said first file into said
of the present invention . In cases where file formaL'S are
reconcile file when said fourth record is modified in
non-identical, prior art methods exist to perform translations
said first file, and said fourth record is not in said
or conversions of file formats, thus allowing the present 45
backup file;
invention to function after the non-identical file formats are
copying a fifth record from said first file into said reconin a format where records can be compared. This flexibility
cile file when said fifth n:cord in said first 1Ile is
in file formats is an important feature of the present invenmodified and an identical modification is made to a
tion bccause it allows information to bc synchronized
corresponding fifth record in said second file, and said
between palmtop and PC applications that use different file 50
fifth record in said first file and said corresponding fifth
systems and file formats.
record in said second file are not in said backup file; and
Altbough the prescnt invention has been described in
copying a sixth record from said first file and a correterms of specific exemplary embodiments, it will be appresponding sixth record from said second me into said
ciated that various modifications and alterations might be
reconcile file when said sixth record in said first me is
made by those skilled in the art without departing from the 55
modified and a different modification is made to said
spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following
corresponding sixth record in said second file, and said
claims.
sixth record in said first file and said corresponding
What is claimed is:
sixth record in said second file arc not in said backup
1. A method [or reconciling a first file on a first computer
file.
system with a corresponding second file on a second com- 60
6. The method as described in claim 5 wherein said first
puter system, said first file and said second file each confile, said corresponding second file and said backup file are
taining records, said method comprising:
calendar files.
7. Tbe method as described in claim 1 furtber including
comparing said first file and said corresponding second
the step of creating said backup file containing said records
file witb a bac\"'Up file containing records from a
previous reconciliation of said first file and said corre- 65 from said previous reconciliation of said first file and said
corresponding second file prior to performing the steps of
spomling second file to identify new, modified or
claim 1.
deleted records;

~h~ ~::~t~~r c~::~~h:nfi~~~n~~!::::~(!~~~;~:r:7Itl ~:yc~np:~~

5,832,489

7

8

8. The method as described in claim 1 further including
copying contents of said reconcile file to said first file ,
the step of comparing said first file with said corresponding
said corresponding second file and a ncw backup file .
second file and with said backup file to determine new,
14. The article of manufacture as described in claim 13
updated or deleted records.
wberein said first file, said second file and said backup file
9. An apparatus for reconciling records in corresponding s are calendar files.
files, said apparatus comprising the elements of:
15. The article of manufacture as described in claim 13
a first computer, said first computer comprising a first file
wberein said means for storing the results of said step of
containing records;
comparing comprises means for creating a reconcile file
containing said results.
a second computer, said second computer comprising a
second file containing records and a backup file con- 10
16. The article of manufacture as described in claim 13
taining records from a previous reconciliation between
wherein said means for storing the results of said step of
said first computer and said second computer, said
comparing comprises means for creating a temporary data
second file corresponding to said first f1le;
structure containing said results.
a communications link for linking said first computer and 15
17. The article of manufacture as described in claim 13
said second computer; and
wherein said computer readable program code means further
performs the step of:
a reconcile program on said second computer, said reconcile program for comparing said first file and said
copying a first record from said first file into said reconcile
second file with said backup file to create a reconcile
file when said first record in said first file is modified
file by identifying new, modified or deleted records. 20
and an identical modification is made to a cDfrespond10. The apparatus as described in claim 9 wherein said
ing first record in said second file, and said first record
first file, said second file and said backup file are calendar
in said first file and said corresponding first record in
files.
said second fill;; are nol in said backup Iile.
11. The apparatus as claimed in claim 7 wherein said
18. The article of manufacture as described in claim 13
reconcile program copies a first record in said first file into
25 wherein said computer readable program code means further
said reconcile file when said first record is modified in said
performs tbe step 0[:
first file, a corresponding first record is deleted from said
copying a first record from said first file and a correspondsecond file, and said first record in said first file is not io said
ing second record from said second file into said
backup file.
reconcile file when said first record in said first file is
12. The apparatus as described in claim 11 wherein said 30
modified version of a third record in said backup file
second computer is a palmtop.
13. An article of manufacture comprising a computer
and said corresponding second record from said second
usable mass storage medium having computer readable
file is a dilferenl modifted version Df said third record
program code means embodied therein for causing a proin said backup file, and said first record in said first file
cessing means to reconcile a first file and a second file, said 35
and said second record in said second file are not in said
second file corresponding to said first file, said first and said
backup file.
second files each containing records, said computer readable
19. The method as described in claim 13 further including
program code means in said article of manufacture performthe step of creating said backup file containing said records
ing the steps of:
from said previous reconciliation of said firsl me and said
comparing said first file and said corresponding second 40 corresponding second file prior to performing the steps of
file with a backup file containing records from a
claim H.
previous reconciliation of said first file and said corre20. The method as described in claim 13 further including
sponding second file to identify new, modified or
tbe step of comparing said first file with said corresponding
deleted records:
second file and with said backup file to determine new,
creating a reconcile file containing information pertaining 45 updated or deleted records.
to said new, modified or dele ted records identified in
said step of comparing; and
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