Synchronizing multiple classes with disparate schemas in the same collection

Abstract

The embodiments described herein generally relate to a method and system for synchronizing multiple classes with disparate schemas in a single collection through the use of the same synchronization request and/or synchronization key. A collection of different types of items may be synchronized while using the unique schema for each class. Further, different synchronization options, e.g., filtering, truncation, and body settings, may be applied to each class. In a synchronization request, an option block within a synchronization command notifies the server to synchronize the class specified in the option block. The option block may also specify the options, or settings, if any, to apply to the class. Multiple option blocks may be included in the synchronization command to specify the synchronization of multiple classes. Where multiple classes are specified, the server responds with the synchronized items of all such classes while maintaining each class's unique schema.

1 . A method of synchronizing a plurality of classes, comprising:
 receiving from a mobile device a selection of a folder to synchronize;   maintaining a schema for each class within the selected folder, wherein each schema is unique to its class;   receiving from the mobile device a selection of a class within the selected folder to synchronize;   receiving from the mobile device a selection of an option to apply to the selected class; and   responding with items for synchronization.   
     
     
         2 . The method as defined in  claim 1 , wherein a server receives the selected class and selected option. 
     
     
         3 . The method as defined in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 receiving from the mobile device a selection of a plurality of folders to synchronize;   receiving from the mobile device a list identifying a plurality of classes to synchronize within the folder; and   receiving from the mobile device a selection of a plurality of options to apply to the selected classes.   
     
     
         4 . The method as defined in  claim 3 , wherein the request is an XML request. 
     
     
         5 . The method as defined in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 receiving a selection of at least two classes within the folder to synchronize; and   receiving a selection of at least two options to apply to the at least two classes selected.   
     
     
         6 . The method as defined in  claim 3 , wherein one or more options are selected from the group consisting of: filtering, truncation, and body type setting. 
     
     
         7 . The method as defined in  claim 6 , wherein the filtering option specifies one or more from the group consisting of: a length of time, a period of dates, a completion state, and a type of conversation. 
     
     
         8 . The method as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the class is selected from the group consisting of: email, voice mail, calendar-type application appointments, contacts, notes, tasks, and short message service (SMS) messages. 
     
     
         9 . The method as defined in  claim 8 , wherein the schema for the email class is an email schema, the schema for the voice mail class is a voice mail schema, the schema for the calendar-type application appointment is a calendar schema; the schema for the tasks class is a task schema; and the schema for the SMS message class is a SMS schema. 
     
     
         10 . The method as defined in  claim 9 , wherein the schema for each class comprises properties specific to the class and does not include properties not related to the class. 
     
     
         11 . The method as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the responding with the items comprises:
 responding with new items and modified items; and   maintaining the unique schema of each class of items synchronized.   
     
     
         12 . The method as defined in  claim 1 , wherein a default option is applied where no option is selected for the selected class. 
     
     
         13 . The method as defined in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 comparing items for the selected class stored in the folder on a server with the selected class and selected option;   applying the selected class and selected option for synchronizing the selected items; and   sending items to the mobile device to keep the mobile device synchronized with the server, wherein the items are from the group consisting of: new items, updated items, and deleted items.   
     
     
         14 . A computer storage medium encoding computer executable instructions for performing a method of synchronizing a plurality of classes within a collection, the method comprising:
 sending to a server a selection of a collection to synchronize;   maintaining a schema for each class within the selected collection, wherein each schema is unique to its class;   sending to the server a selection of a class within the selected collection to synchronize;   sending to the server a selection of an option to apply to the selected class; and   receiving the items for synchronization.   
     
     
         15 . The computer storage medium as defined in  claim 14 , wherein the selections are sent from a mobile device. 
     
     
         16 . The computer storage medium as defined in  claim 14 , wherein the class is selected from a group consisting of: email, voice mail, calendar-type application appointments, contacts, notes, tasks, and short message service (SMS) messages, and wherein each class maintains a schema different from the schemas for the other classes. 
     
     
         17 . The computer storage medium as defined in  claim 14 , wherein the option is selected from a group consisting of: filtering, truncation, and body type setting. 
     
     
         18 . A system for synchronizing a plurality of classes of items within a folder, the system comprising:
 a communication module at a mobile device for sending a selection of a class within the folder to synchronize, wherein each class in the folder has a schema different from another class in the folder;   the communication module at the mobile device sending a selection of an option to apply to the class selected;   a comparison module at a server for comparing items for the selected class stored in the folder on the server with the selected class and selected option;   a synchronization module for synchronizing the selected class according to the selected option; and   a communication module at the server for sending at least one item for maintaining the synchronization of the mobile device and the server.   
     
     
         19 . The system as defined in  claim 18 , wherein a default option is applied where no option is selected for the selected class. 
     
     
         20 . The system as defined in  claim 18 , wherein each class comprises properties specific to the class and does not include properties not related to the class.