Patent ID: 6317797
Filing Date: 2001-11-13
Classification: G06F,G06Q,Y10S

Abstract:
A handheld computer for communication with a host computer,both the handheld and host computers having a plurality of files including at least one common file, each computer having a copy of the common file, the handheld computer comprising:a handheld computer housing;an infrared port disposed in the housing, the infrared port operable to establish a communication channel with the host computer;at least one other communications port including a modem operable to establish a communication channel with the host computer;a display screen disposed in an upper surface of the handheld computer housing; a processor disposed in said handheld computer housing;a pen device to interface with the display screen to provide user input to the processor; anda memory coupled to the processor, the memory containing:a set of computer instructions for causing a synchronization routine with the host computer to be initiated by establishing a communication channel with the host computer and to receive approval from a user to establish a communication channel via the modem and the host computer before incurring a charge if establishing a communication channel via the modem includes a charge; anda set of computer instructions including common file comparison initiation instructions that, when executed, (a) effect comparison between corresponding entries in the handheld computer common file and in the host computer common file, (b) displays conflicting entries in said common files on said display screen, and (c) in response to user selection of one of said conflicting entries updates the common file which did not contain the user selected entry, thereby to synchronize that entry in both of said common files.