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

A computer implemented method for synchronizing records between computer systems, wherein the method is performed on a first computer and comprises the steps of:

• connecting to a portable computer using a local port;
• connecting to a second computer using a network;
• in response to the second computer executing a first set of synchronization instructions to synchronize a first set of records on the portable computer:
• transferring the first set of records sent from the second computer through the network to the portable computer using the local port;
• and
• enabling a second set of synchronization instructions to be executed on the portable computer in order to cause the first set of records to be synchronized with a set of existing records on the portable computer.

A computer implemented method for synchronizing records between computer systems, the method comprising performing the following steps on a first computer:

• the first computer connecting to a portable computer using a network connection between the first computer and a second computer and a local port between the second computer and the portable computer;
• said first computer executing a first set of synchronization instructions;
• and
• wherein execution of said first set of instructions by said first computer causes:
• said first computer to transfer a first set of records to the portable computer, and
• said portable computer to synchronize the first set of records received from the first computer with a set of existing records that are stored on the portable computer.

A portable computer comprising:

• a local port configured to locally connect to a first computer, wherein the first computer is coupled to a second computer over a network;
• a memory that stores a set of records;
• and
• a processor configured to:
• use the local port to connect to the first computer and communicate with a second computer that is coupled to the first computer over the network;
• wherein in response to the second computer executing a first set of synchronization instructions to synchronize a first set of records on the portable computer, the processor is configured to receive the first set of records from the second computer through the local port, and to execute a second set of synchronization instructions for synchronizing the first set of records with the set of existing records.

A computer readable medium for synchronizing records between computer systems, the computer readable medium carrying instructions for performing the steps of:

• connecting a portable computer to a first computer using a local port, wherein the first computer is coupled to a second computer through a network;
• in response to the second computer executing a first set of synchronization instructions to synchronize a first set of records on the portable computer:
• receiving the first set of records from the second computer through the local port;
• and
• executing a second set of synchronization instructions for synchronizing the first set of records with a set of existing records that are stored on the portable computer.

A portable computer comprising:

• a local port for connecting the portable computer to a first computer, wherein the first computer is coupled to a second computer over a network;
• means for connecting to the first computer using the local port;
• means for receiving the first set of records sent from the second computer over the network to the first computer and through the local port to the portable computer;
• and
• means for executing, in response to the second computer executing a first set of synchronization instructions to synchronize the first set of records on the portable computer, second set of synchronization instructions for synchronizing the first set of records with a set of existing records that are stored on the portable computer.