Transferring records between two databases

Abstract

In order to transfer data between two databases, a computer program automatically establishes a field map between the record structures of the two databases using information identifying the record structure of one of the databases. The field map is established automatically by correlating a first plurality of the fields of the first database to a second plurality of the fields of the second database to establish a field map. The data stored in the first plurality of fields of a plurality of the records of the first database is then translated in accordance with the field map. The information identifying the record structure of one of the databases identifies the record structure according to a selected field identification protocol identifying the categories and properties of the fields in the record structure of that database. This information may be transmitted to the computer program ahead of any data transfer so that a data transfer protocol, including the field map, may be established prior to the start of the data transfer.

1 - 72 . (canceled)  
   
   
       73 . A computer implemented method of transferring data in a first database stored on a first computer to a second computer storing a second database, wherein the first and second databases store records of data and the first and second databases are each characterized by a record structure, the method comprising the steps of: 
 establishing a field map relating the fields of the first and second databases, substantially without user input, by correlating a first plurality of the fields of the first database to a second plurality of the fields of the second database using information identifying the record structure of at least one of the first and second databases, and    translating the data stored in the first plurality of fields of a plurality of the records of the first database in accordance with the field map,    wherein the identifying information identifies the record structure according to a selected protocol,    wherein the selected protocol provides a syntax for identifying the characteristics of a field of the one of the first and second databases,    wherein the identifying information is transmitted from the first computer to the second computer, and    wherein the identifying information is provided and transmitted substantially without user input.    
   
   
       74 . A computer implemented method of synchronizing data in a first database stored on a first computer with data in a second database stored on a second computer, wherein the first and second databases store records of data and the first and second databases are each characterized by a record structure, the method comprising the steps of: 
 transmitting from the first computer to the second computer information identifying the record structure of the first database, the information being generated substantially without user input, and the information identifying categories and properties of a plurality of fields of the record structure of the first database, a category identifying the type of information stored in a field, and a property identifying limits or rules imposed on data stored in a field,    transferring from the first database to the second database data stored in a plurality of fields of a plurality of the records of the first database, and    processing the transferred data using the identifying information, and synchronizing the transferred records with records of the second database, and when the synchronizing step determines that it is necessary to transfer one or more records from the second database to the first database, processing those records using the identifying information before sending them,    wherein the identifying information identifies the record structure according to a selected protocol, and    wherein the selected protocol provides a syntax for identifying the characteristics of a field of the one of the first and second databases.    
   
   
       75 . The method of  claim 74  wherein the processing applied to records from the second database before sending them to the first database includes applying data modifications to field values.  
   
   
       76 . The method of  claim 75  wherein the data modifications are applied to make field values conform to the properties for fields in the first database, as specified by the identifying information.  
   
   
       77 . The method of  claim 76  wherein the properties for fields include a rule of data value for a field of the record structure of the first database.  
   
   
       78 . The method of  claim 76  herein the properties for fields include a maximum size or maximum length for a field of the record structure of the first database.