Tom M Butler

US Patent:

7139748, Nov 21, 2006

Filed:

May 31, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/159688

Inventors:

William Leonard Mills - Yacolt WA, US
Robert G. McKenzie - Aloha OR, US
Tom Butler - Santa Clara CA, US
Alvin I. Pivowar - Camas WA, US

Assignee:

Palmsource, Inc. - Sunnyvale CA

International Classification:

G06F 17/30
G06F 15/16

US Classification:

707 3, 707 1

Abstract:

A method and system for N-way synchronization of computer databases. Synchronization of computer databases is structured into three rounds, namely an agenda round, a query round and a report round. In the agenda round, a synchronization agent software module inquires of a common synchronization engine for updates to the agent's database and provides information as to the level of information in the agent's database. During a query round, a common synchronization engine may request information from databases with new information and distribute that database information to databases needing the new information during a report round. Multiple agents, each representing an associated database may participate a synchronization. In addition, various special purpose agents may also receive, provide and otherwise operate on synchronization information.

US Patent:

7487135, Feb 3, 2009

Filed:

Sep 24, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/948916

Inventors:

Alvin I. Pivowar - Camas WA, US
Jayita Poddar - Sunnyvale CA, US
Tom Butler - Santa Clara CA, US

Assignee:

PalmSource, Inc. - Sunnyvale CA

International Classification:

G06F 15/16

US Classification:

707 1, 707100, 707200, 709228, 709248

Abstract:

A single ended synchronization agent which communicates with a single endpoint. Responsive to instructions from a synchronization manager, a single ended synchronization agent transfers information between its endpoint and a common synchronization engine. Endpoints may include databases, hand held computers, communication links and the like. These novel single ended agent programs in cooperation with a common synchronization engine are able to synchronize databases. The agent programs need not implement synchronization logic and agent programs are required to understand only a single database. These aspects of the single ended agent programs greatly simplify the design, construction and maintenance of this software when compared with the prior art.

US Patent:

7707175, Apr 27, 2010

Filed:

May 31, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/159321

Inventors:

Alvin I. Pivowar - Camas WA, US
Jayita Poddar - Sunnyvale CA, US
Tom Butler - Santa Clara CA, US

Assignee:

PalmSource Inc. - Sunnyvale CA

International Classification:

G06F 17/00

US Classification:

707610, 707999201, 707999203, 707999204

Abstract:

A single ended synchronization agent which communicates with a single endpoint. Responsive to instructions from a synchronization manager, a single ended synchronization agent transfers information between its endpoint and a common synchronization engine. Endpoints may include databases, hand held computers, communication links and the like. These novel single ended agent programs in cooperation with a common synchronization engine are able to synchronize databases. The agent programs need not implement synchronization logic and agent programs are required to understand only a single database. These aspects of the single ended agent programs greatly simplify the design, construction and maintenance of this software when compared with the prior art.

US Patent:

7792794, Sep 7, 2010

Filed:

Nov 21, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/602841

Inventors:

William Leonard Mills - Yacolt WA, US
Robert G. McKenzie - Aloha OR, US
Tom Butler - Santa Clara CA, US
Alvin I. Pivowar - Camas WA, US

Assignee:

PalmSource Inc. - Sunnyvale CA

International Classification:

G06F 17/00
G06F 7/00
G06F 15/16

US Classification:

707614, 707620, 709248

Abstract:

A method and system for N-way synchronization of computer databases. Synchronization of computer databases is structured into three rounds, namely an agenda round, a query round and a report round. In the agenda round, a synchronization agent software module inquires of a common synchronization engine for updates to the agent's database and provides information as to the level of information in the agent's database. During a query round, a common synchronization engine may request information from databases with new information and distribute that database information to databases needing the new information during a report round. Multiple agents, each representing an associated database may participate a synchronization. In addition, various special purpose agents may also receive, provide and otherwise operate on synchronization information.

US Patent:

7836015, Nov 16, 2010

Filed:

May 31, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/159462

Inventors:

William Leonard Mills - Yacolt WA, US
Tom Butler - Santa Clara CA, US
Robert G. McKenzie - Aloha OR, US

Assignee:

Access Systems Americas, Inc. - Sunnyvale CA

International Classification:

G06F 7/00
G06F 17/00

US Classification:

707613, 707617, 707618, 707620

Abstract:

A method and system for fast synchronization of computer databases using coverage status. First coverage information of a first database and second coverage information of a second database are accessed. Using the coverage information from the two databases, it may be determined which data elements from the second database are more recent than corresponding data elements from the first database. Data elements from the second database that are more recent than corresponding data elements of the first database may be transferred to the first database. In this novel manner, synchronization of two databases may take place without comparing corresponding data elements between the two databases in order to determine if a data element has been modified. By this exchange of coverage information, it is possible to transfer only changed records, in one direction, allowing for a consistent synchronization method that is typically faster than prior art methods.

US Patent:

8095504, Jan 10, 2012

Filed:

Sep 3, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/876076

Inventors:

William Leonard Mills - Yacolt WA, US
Robert G. McKenzie - Aloha OR, US
Tom Butler - Santa Clara CA, US
Alvin I. Pivowar - Camas WA, US

Assignee:

Access Co., Ltd. - Tokyo

International Classification:

G06F 7/00
G06F 17/00

US Classification:

707620, 709248

Abstract:

A method and system for N-way synchronization of computer databases. Synchronization of computer databases is structured into three rounds, namely an agenda round, a query round and a report round. In the agenda round, a synchronization agent software module inquires of a common synchronization engine for updates to the agent's database and provides information as to the level of information in the agent's database. During a query round, a common synchronization engine may request information from databases with new information and distribute that database information to databases needing the new information during a report round. Multiple agents, each representing an associated database may participate a synchronization. In addition, various special purpose agents may also receive, provide and otherwise operate on synchronization information.