Method and apparatus for synchronizing a portable computer system with a desktop computer system

An apparatus for synchronizing information between computer systems, said apparatus comprising:

• a portable computer system;
• a first personal computer system;
• a local communication link coupling said portable computer system with said first personal computer system;
• a preferred second personal computer system;
• a network coupling said first personal computer system to said preferred second personal computer system;
• a first synchronization program on said first personal computer system that transmits information from said portable computer system to said preferred second personal computer;
• and
• a second synchronization program on said preferred second computer system, said second synchronization program on said preferred second computer system synchronizing with said portable computer system through said first synchronization program on said first computer system, wherein said second synchronization program monitors said network for packets requesting a synchronization.

A computer implement method of synchronizing information on a portable computer with a personal computer, said method comprising the steps of:

• initiating a first synchronization process in said portable computer;
• initiating a communication link between said first synchronization process in said portable computer and said personal computer using at least one modem;
• requesting a synchronization with a second synchronization process in said personal computer to synchronize information stored on said portable computer;
• synchronizing said information stored on said portable computer with preferred second personal computer through said communication link.

A computer implement method of synchronizing information on a portable computer, said method comprising the steps of:

• initiating a first synchronization process in said portable computer;
• initiating a communication link between said first synchronization process in said portable computer and a remote access server, said remote access server coupled to a local area network;
• locating a preferred personal computer coupled to said local area network;
• requesting a synchronization with a second synchronization process in said preferred personal computer;
• synchronizing said information stored on said portable computer with said preferred personal computer through said communication link.

An apparatus for synchronizing information between computer systems, said apparatus comprising:

• a portable computer system;
• a remote access server;
• a local communication link coupling said portable computer system with said remote access server;
• a preferred personal computer system;
• a network coupled to said remote access server and said preferred personal computer system;
• a first synchronization program on said portable computer system that transmits information from said portable computer system to said preferred personal computer;
• and
• a second synchronization program on said preferred computer system, said second synchronization program on said preferred computer system synchronizing with said portable computer system by communicating with said first synchronization program on said portable computer system, wherein said second synchronization program monitors said network for packets requesting a synchronization.

A method of synchronizing computer systems, said method comprising the steps of:

• synchronizing a portable computer to a first personal computer;
• assigning a first unique synchronization token to said portable computer after said step of synchronizing;
• initiating a synchronization between said portable computer and a second personal computer, said second personal computer having a second unique synchronization token;
• and
• testing said second unique synchronization token to determine if said second personal computer is the same as said first personal computer;
• performing a fast synchronization if said first unique synchronization token matches said second unique synchronization token;
• and
• performing a slow synchronization if said first unique synchronization token does not match said second unique synchronization token.