Method And Apparatus For Synchronization Of Two Computer Systems

Abstract

A method and system for synchronizing two computer systems supporting multiple synchronization techniques is described. In one example system, a portable computer system is loaded with synchronization transport modules. In application on the portable computer system is executed causing the application to automatically recognize the synchronization transport modules. The portable computer system receives a selection corresponding to one of the two synchronization transport modules. The selection could be from a user and would indicate that the user prefers to synchronize with the second computer system using a particular method of external communication. After the selection, the portable computer system synchronizes with the other computer system using the selected method of external communication.

1 . (canceled) 
   
   
       2 . A computer-implemented method, comprising:
 a certain computer establishing a connection to a portable electronic device;   selecting at least one synchronization profile from a set of synchronization profiles to download via said connection; and   downloading data to said portable electronic device via said connection, wherein downloading data includes downloading data associated with said selected profile.   
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2 , further including the steps of:
 receiving user input identifying said at least one synchronization profile; and   wherein selecting at least one synchronization profile includes selecting a synchronization profile based on said user input.   
   
   
       4 . A computer-implemented method for configuring a portable electronic device for synchronization, comprising:
 a certain computer establishing a connection to a portable electronic device;   said certain computer displaying information identifying each synchronization profile of a set of one or more synchronization profiles to download to said portable electronic device via said connection;   selecting at least one synchronization profile from the set of synchronization profiles; and   downloading data to said portable electronic device via said connection, wherein downloading data includes downloading data associated with the selected profile.   
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 4 , further including:
 after displaying said information, receiving user input; and   wherein selecting at least one synchronization profile includes selecting a synchronization profile based on said user input.   
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 4 , further including:
 initiating a synchronization with said portable electronic device;   determining that a synchronization has not been previously initiated with said portable electronic device; and   wherein the step of displaying said information is performed in response to determining that a synchronization has not been previously initiated.   
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein downloading includes downloading data for a preloaded database associated with said selected synchronization profile. 
   
   
       8 . A computer-implemented method, comprising:
 a certain computer establishing a connection to a portable electronic device;   selecting at least one synchronization profile from a set of synchronization profiles to download via said connection; and   downloading data to said portable electronic device via said connection, wherein downloading data includes downloading data associated with said selected profile.   
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8 , further including the steps of:
 receiving user input identifying said at least one synchronization profile; and   wherein selecting at least one synchronization profile includes selecting a synchronization profile based on said user input.   
   
   
       10 . A computer-implemented method,
 a personal computer displaying a first set of one or more first graphics, each first graphic of said one or more first graphics being associated with a conduit for synchronization of an electronic device;   said personal computer receiving user input indicating a selection of a conduit associated with a first graphic of said one or more graphics;   in response to receiving said user input, said personal computer displaying a second set of one or more second graphics, each second graphic of said one or more second graphics being associated with a synchronization setting of a set of synchronization settings, said set of synchronizations comprising:
 a setting for overwriting data at the electronic device with data at the personal computer; and 
 a setting for overwriting data at the personal computer with data at said electronic device. 
   
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said set of synchronization settings further includes a setting for reconciling data at the electronic device with data at the personal computer. 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said set of synchronizations includes a setting for deactivating synchronization via the respective conduit. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the set of settings includes a setting for designating other synchronization settings of said set of synchronization settings as a default. 
   
   
       14 . A computer-readable storage medium storing one or more sequences of instructions which, when executed by one or more processors, causes the one or more processors to perform the method recited in  claim 2 . 
   
   
       15 . A computer-readable storage medium storing one or more sequences of instructions which, when executed by one or more processors, causes the one or more processors to perform the method recited in  claim 3 . 
   
   
       16 . A computer-readable storage medium storing one or more sequences of instructions which, when executed by one or more processors, causes the one or more processors to perform the method recited in  claim 4 . 
   
   
       17 . A computer-readable storage medium storing one or more sequences of instructions which, when executed by one or more processors, causes the one or more processors to perform the method recited in  claim 5 . 
   
   
       18 . A computer-readable storage medium storing one or more sequences of instructions which, when executed by one or more processors, causes the one or more processors to perform the method recited in  claim 6 . 
   
   
       19 . A computer-readable storage medium storing one or more sequences of instructions which, when executed by one or more processors, causes the one or more processors to perform the method recited in  claim 7 . 
   
   
       20 . A computer-readable storage medium storing one or more sequences of instructions which, when executed by one or more processors, causes the one or more processors to perform the method recited in  claim 8 . 
   
   
       21 . A computer-readable storage medium storing one or more sequences of instructions which, when executed by one or more processors, causes the one or more processors to perform the method recited in  claim 9 . 
   
   
       22 . A computer-readable storage medium storing one or more sequences of instructions which, when executed by one or more processors, causes the one or more processors to perform the method recited in  claim 10 . 
   
   
       23 . A computer-readable storage medium storing one or more sequences of instructions which, when executed by one or more processors, causes the one or more processors to perform the method recited in  claim 11 . 
   
   
       24 . A computer-readable storage medium storing one or more sequences of instructions which, when executed by one or more processors, causes the one or more processors to perform the method recited in  claim 12 . 
   
   
       25 . A computer-readable storage medium storing one or more sequences of instructions which, when executed by one or more processors, causes the one or more processors to perform the method recited in  claim 13 .