Method and apparatus for a file sharing and synchronization system
AssigneeSugarSync, Inc.
InventorsJack B. Strong, Gibu Thomas
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A computer-implemented method is provided for managing and sharing picture files. In one embodiment of the present invention, the method comprises providing a server platform and providing a data store on the server platform for maintaining full resolution copies of the files shared between a plurality of sharing clients. A synchronization engine is provided on the server platform and is configured to send real-time updates to a plurality of sharing clients when at least one of the sharing clients updates or changes one of said files. A web interface may also be provided that allows a user to access files in the data store through the use of a web browser.
Claims14
A method for synchronizing and sharing data across a plurality of client devices in a system that includes a synchronization server, the method comprising:
- maintaining a copy of one or more data objects on each of the plurality of client devices and the synchronization server;
- detecting a change to one of the data objects on one of the client devices;
- sending notification of the change from said client device to the synchronization server;
- updating the corresponding data object on the synchronization server with the change;
- sending notification of the change from the synchronization server to the other of the plurality of client devices;
- and
- updating the corresponding data object on the other plurality of client devices with the change;
- wherein, on each of the client devices, a client synchronization application executing on the client device monitors the data objects for changes and communicates with the synchronization server regarding any changes to the data objects;
- wherein the client synchronization application enables the user to manage the synchronization of data objects and share data objects with other users;
- and
- wherein the client synchronization application includes a contact list for enabling the user to select other users with whom to share data objects and data object group management for enabling the user manage shared data objects.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.