Patent EA-002956-B1 (EA)
Title: System and method for using a global translator to synchronize workspace elements across a network
Inventor: MENDEZ DANIEL J
IPC: G06F17/00
Filed: 1998-08-21
Abstract: 1. A system, comprising: a first store for storing a first workspace element in a first format; a second store for storing a second workspace element which is an independently-modifiable copy of the first workspace element in a second format; a communications channel coupling the first store to the second store; synchronization means for synchronizing the first workspace element and the second workspace element; and a translator for translating between the first format and the second format. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the first format is the same as the second format. 3. The system of claim 1 wherein the second format includes HTML. 4. The system of claim 1, wherein the first store is in a LAN. 5. The system of claim 1, further comprising a firewall for protecting the first store. 6. The system of claim 1, further comprising a firewall for protecting the second store. 7. The system of claim 1, wherein the synchronization means includes a first general synchronization module for examining the first workspace element at the first store to determine whether it has been modified; and a second general synchronization module for examining the second workspace element at the second store to determine whether it has been modified. 8. The system of claim 7, wherein the first workspace element and the second workspace element each include version information; and the first and second general synchronization modules each examine the version information of each workspace element to a last synchronization signature to determine whether the workspace element was modified. 9. The system of claim 1, wherein the synchronization means includes a synchronization-start module for determining when to initiate synchronization. 10. The system of claim 1, wherein the first workspace element includes a first folder and the second workspace element includes a second folder. 11. The system of claim 10, further comprising a content-based synchronization module for examining content of the first workspace element and of the second workspace element when the first workspace element and the second workspace element have both been modified since the last synchronization. 12. The system of claim 11, wherein the content-based synchronization module determines if any conflicts exist, and if so then the content-based synchronization module reconciles the conflicts. 13. The system of claim 11, wherein the content-based synchronization module determines if any conflicts exist, and if not then the content-based synchronization module integrates the changes made to each workspace element. 14. The system of claim 1, further comprising a third store coupled to the second store for storing a third workspace element in a third format. 15. The system of claim 14, wherein the translator translates between the second format and the third format. 16. The system of claim 8, wherein the version information indicates the status of each workspace element as of the last synchronization. 17. A method, comprising: accessing a first store storing a first workspace element in a first format; accessing a second store storing a second workspace element which is an independently-modifiable copy of the first workspace element in a second format; synchronizing the first workspace element and the second workspace element; and translating between the first format and the second format. 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the first format is the same as the second format. 19. The method of claim 17, wherein the second format includes HTML. 20. The method of claim 17, wherein the first store is in a LAN. 21. The method of claim 17, wherein the first store is protected by a firewall. 22. The method of claim 17, wherein the second store is protected by a firewall. 23. The method of claim 17, further comprising examining the first workspace element to determine whether it has been modified; and examining the second workspace element to determine whether it has been modified. 24. The method of claim 23, wherein the first workspace element and the second workspace element each include version information; and further comprising the step of comparing the version information of each workspace element to a last synchronization signature to determine whether the workspace element was modified. 25. The method of claim 17, further comprising the step of determining when to initiate synchronization. 26. The method of claim 17, wherein the first workspace element includes a first folder and the second workspace element includes a second folder. 27. The method of claim 26, further comprising the step of examining content of the first workspace element and of the second workspace element when the first workspace element and the second workspace element have both been modified since the last synchronization. 28. The method of claim 27, further comprising the step of determining if any conflicts exist, and if so then reconciling the conflicts. 29. The method of claim 27, further comprising the step of determining if any conflicts exist, and if not then integrating the changes made to each workspace element. 30. The method of claim 17, further comprising the step of accessing a third store coupled to the second store storing a third workspace element in a third format. 31. The method of claim 30, wherein further comprising the step of translating between the second format and the third format. 32. The method of claim 24, wherein the version information indicates the status of each workspace element as of the last synchronization. 33. A system, comprising: means for accessing a first store storing a first workspace element in a first format; means for accessing a second store storing a second workspace element which is an independently-modifiable copy of the first workspace element in a second format; means for synchronizing the first workspace element and the second workspace element; and means for translating between the first format and the second format. 34. A computer-readable storage medium storing program code for causing a computer to perform the steps of: accessing a first store storing a first workspace element in a first format; accessing a second store storing a second workspace element which is an independently-modifiable copy of the first workspace element in a second format; synchronizing the first workspace element and the second workspace element; and translating between the first format and the second format.