The present dislcosure relates generally t o electronic devices, and more specifically to systems
and methods for synchronization and transfer of content between electronic devices.
DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART
The following description of related art is intended t o provide background information
pertaining to the field of the invention. This section may include certain aspects of the art that
may be related to various aspects of the present disclosure. However, it should be appreciated
that this section be used only t o enhance the understanding of the reader with respect to the
present disclosure, and not as admissions of prior art.
In recent years, use of consumer electronic devices has immensely increased. Many consumer
electronic devices such as mobile devices, smart phones, personal digital assistants, laptops,
tablets, etc. are widely used for both personal and business purposes. The extensive use of
electronic devices has resulted in an increased need t o transfer content stored on one
electronic device t o another electronic device. For instance, when a user wants to switch or
upgrade from an old electronic device to a new electronic device, the user may want to tansfer
some or all of content stored on the old device t o the new device.
Different electronic devices use different formats for storing content. Existing systems and
transfer methods do not efficiently and automatically convert the data t o be transmitted into
desired format. Further, in some of the known transfer methods and systems, the user is
required to give instructions t o the system t o convert data from one format t o another.
Furthermore, when content is t o be transferred between devices that operate on different
operating systems, some content cannot be transferred because it is not compatible with the
operating system of the new device. The user has to search for similar applications that are
compatible with the operating system of the new device. In this process, the user may not
able t o find the best available option.
Thus, in light of the above problems, there is a need for developing a user friendly, easy to
system and method for facilitating transfer of content from one elctronic device t o another.
SUMMARY
The present disclosure provides an efficient system and method for transferring and
sychronizing content between electronic devices. A method for transferring and sychronizing a
set of content between a first electronic device and a second electronic device is disclosed. The
method includes establishing a connection based on an access point between the first
electronic device, the second electronic device and a transfer assistant module. The method
further includes determining from the set of content, a subset of unsupported content and a
subset of content supported by the second electronic device. Next, the method provides a set
of recommendation content based on the subset of unsupported content. The set of
recommendation content comprises content analogous to the subset of unsupported content.
Subsequently, the subset of supported content and the set of analogous content are
transmitted from the first electronic device t o the second electronic device.
A system for transferring and sychronizing a set of content between a first electronic device
and a second electrnic device includes a memory comprising a data repository and a processor
configured t o determine from the set of content, a subset of unsupported content and a
subset of content supported by the second electronic device. The system further includes a
recommendation module configured t o provide a set of recommendation content based on the
subset of unsupported content. The set of recommendation content provided by the
recommendation module comprises a set of content analogous to the unsupported content.
The system further includes a transceiver module configured t o transmit the subset of
supported content and the set of analogous content t o the second electronic device.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in, and constitute a part of this disclosure,
illustrate exemplary embodiments of the invention in which like reference numerals refer t o
the same parts throughout the different drawings. Components in the drawings are not
necessarily t o scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the
present disclosure.
Fig.l illustrates a system for transferring and synchronizing content, according t o an exemplary
embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 2 illustrates a system for transferring and synchronizing content, the system connected t o a
service server, according t o an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 3 illustrates a first electronic device according t o an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention.
Fig. 4 illustrates a second electronic device according t o an exemplary embodiment of the
present invention.
Fig. 5 illustrates a transfer assistant device according t o an exemplary embodiment of the
present invention.
Fig. 6 illustrates a method for transferring and synchronizing content between electronic
devices according t o an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
The foregoing will be apparent from the following more detailed description of example
embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
In the following description, for the purposes of explanation, various specific details are set
forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be
apparent, however, that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details.
Several features described hereafter can each be used independently of one another or with
any combination of other features. However, any individual feature may not address any of the
problems discussed above or might address only some of the problems discussed above. Some
of the problems discussed above might not be fully addressed by any of the features described
herein. Although headings are provided, information related to a particular heading, but not
found in the section having that heading, may also be found elsewhere in the specification.
Further, information provided under a particular heading may not necessarily be a part of only
the section having that heading.
As used herein, "hardware" includes a combination of discrete components, an integrated
circuit, an application specific integrated circuit, a field programmable gate array, other
programmable logic devices and/or other suitable hardware as may be obvious t o a person
skilled in the art.
As used herein, "software" includes one or more objects, agents, threads, lines of code,
subroutines, separate software applications, or other suitable software structures as may be
obvious to a skilled person. In one embodiment, software can include one or more lines of code
or other suitable software structures operating in a general purpose software application, such
as an operating system, and one or more lines of code or other suitable software structures
operating in a specific purpose software application.
As used herein, "couple" and its cognate terms, such as "couples" and "coupled" includes a
physical connection (such as a conductor), a virtual connection (such as through randomly
assigned memory locations of data memory device), a logical connection (such as through
logical gates of semiconducting device), other suitable connections, or a combination of such
connections, as may be obvious t o a skilled person.
As used herein, a "network" and "communication network" refers t o a medium that
interconnects various computing devices. A network includes, but is not limited to, personal
area network, local area network, metropolitan area network, wide area network, Internet, or
any combination thereof. A network may be a storage area network, virtual private network,
enterprise private network or a combination thereof.
As used herein, a "processor" refers t o any logic circuitry for processing instructions. A
processor may be a general purpose processor, a special purpose processor, a conventional
processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), a plurality of microprocessors, one or more
microprocessors in association with a DSP core, a controller, a microcontroller, Application
Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGAs) circuits, any other
type of integrated circuit (IC), etc. The processor may perform signal coding, data processing,
power control, input/output processing, and/or any other functionality that enables the
working of the system according to the present invention.
-As used herein, a "memory" refers t o any non-transitory media that stores data and/or
instructions that cause a machine t o operate in a specific manner. The invention encompasses a
memory, wherein the memory includes a volatile memory or a non-volatile memory. Non¬
volatile memory includes, for example, a storage device such as magnetic disk, optical disk,
solid state drives, or any other storage device for storing information and instructions. Volatile
memory includes, for example, a dynamic memory. The invention further encompasses a
memory, wherein the memory is single or multiple, coupled or independent, is positioned at
device level or server level and encompasses other variations and options of implementation as
may be obvious to a person skilled in the art.
As used herein, a "communication bus" or a "bus" includes hardware, software and
communication protocol used by the bus t o facilitate transfer of data and/or instructions.
As used herein, a "native application" refers t o any application software that is pre-installed, or
downloaded and installed, in an electronic device. Native applications include, but is not limited
to, contact management application, calendar application, messaging applications, image
and/or video modification and viewing applications, gaming applications, navigational
applications, office applications, business applications, educational applications, health and
fitness applications, medical applications, financial applications, social networking applications,
and any other applications.
As used herein, "native data" refers t o data created, modified or installed in an electronic
device over time. Native data includes, but is not limited to, contacts, calendar entries, call logs,
SMS, images, videos, factory data, and data associated with one or more native applications.
As used herein, "content" refers to data and software stored or contained in an electronic
device. Content includes native data and native applications stored or contained in an
electronic device/Content may further include any content downloaded and/or installed from a
third party database. Content may be in the form of packets, bits, messages, or any other
communication element. Transfer or transmission of content includes transfer or transmission
of packets, messages, bits, or any other communication element.
As used herein, a "set" refers t o a collection of distinct content. A set may refer t o a set of one
or more content. A set may also refer to a null set i.e. a set that does not contain any content.
Content in a set may be related or unrelated t o other content in the same set.
As used herein, a "subset" of any set refers t o a portion of that set. All content contained in the
subset of a set is also contained in that set. A subset may refer to a subset of one or more
content. A subset may also refer t o a null subset i.e. a subset that does not contain any content.
Content in a subset may be related or unrelated t o other content in that subset.
General Overview
A system and method for synchronizing and transferring content between electronic devices is
described.. A method for synchronizing content between a first electronic device and a second
electronic device in accordance with the present invention includes the following steps.
A connection is established based on an access point, between a first electronic device, a
second electronic device and a transfer assistant module. As used herein, "first electronic
device" and "second electronic device" refers to any electrical, electronic, electromechanical
and computing device or equipment. In one embodiment of the present invention, the first
electronic device and the second electronic device are mobile devices communicating via a
communication network. Electronic devices may include, but not limited to, a mobile phone,
smart phone, pager, laptop, a general purpose computer, desktop, personal digital assistant,
tablet computer, mainframe computer, or any other computing device as may be obvious t o a
person skilled in the art.
Subsequently, from the set of content, a subset of unsupported content and a subset of
content supported by the second electronic device are determined. As used herein,
"unsupported content" refers t o content in the first electronic device that is not reconcilable
with the second electronic device. Some modification may be required in the unsupported
content in order to be viewed, stored and/or used in the second electronic device.
Subsequently, a set of recommendation content is provided based on the subset of
unsupported content. The set of recommendation content comprises a set of content
analogous to the unsupported content. As used herein, "recommendation content" includes
modified native data, modified native application data and analogous content. As used herein,
"analogous content" refers to content analogous to unsupported content, such that the
analogous content is reconcilable with the second electronic device. The invention
encompasses analogous content that comprises features that are same or substantially similar
t o the features of the unsupported content. The invention further encompasses analogous
content that comprises features related t o that of the unsupported content.
Next, the subset of supported content and set of analogous content are transmitted from the
transfer assistant device t o the second electronic device.
As used herein, "transfer", "transmit", "synchronize" and their cognate terms like
"transferring", "transmitting", "synchronizing", "synchronization", etc. include moving or
transporting content from one device or module t o another device or module, wherein the
content may or may not be modified before or after transferring, transmitting or synchronizing.
Transferring, transmitting or synchronizing content may specifically include moving or
transporting content from first electronic device t o second electronic device.
System Overview
Fig. 1 illustrates example architecture of a system for transferring and synchronizing content
between a first electronic device and a second electronic device, according t o the present
invention.
As shown in Fig.l, the system 100 comprises a transfer assistant module 106 connected t o a
first electronic device 102, a second electronic device 104, nth electronic device 108 via one or
more communication channels 110. Although only three electronic devices have been shown in
Fig. 1, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the disclosed embodiments
contemplate any number of electronic devices connected t o the transfer assistant module 106. -
The first electronic device 102 is configured t o transmit a set of content t o the transfer assistant
module 106. The transfer assistant module 106 is configured to determine from a set of
content, a subset of unsupported content and subset of content supported by the second
electronic device 104. The transfer assistant module 106 is further configured t o provide a set
of recommendation content based on the subset of unsupported content, wherein the set of
recommendation content comprises a set of analogous content. The second electronic device
104 is configured t o receive the subset of supported content and the set of recommendation
content from the transfer assistant module 106.
The invention encompasses a system 100 wherein the first electronic device 102 and the
second electronic device 104 are same or similar electronic devices. For instance, a system 100
wherein both the first electronic device 102 and the second electronic device 104 are mobile
phones. The invention further encompasses a system 100 wherein the first electronic device
102 is different from the second electronic device 104. For instance, a system 100 wherein the
first electronic device 102 is a mobile phone and the second electronic device 104 is a laptop.
The invention further encompasses a system 100 wherein the first electronic device 102 and
the second electronic device 104 operate on same or different operating systems.
The invention encompasses a system 100 configured to transfer and synchronize a set of
content between two or more electronic devices. The invention further encompasses a system
100 configured to transfer and synchronize a set of content between one or more pairs of
electronic devices simultaneously. The invention further encompasses a system 100 configured
t o transfer and synchronize a set of content from one electronic device t o multiple electronic
devices simultaneously.
The invention encompasses a system 100 for transferring and synchronizing a set of content
between electronic devices, wherein one or more electronic devices are connected to the
transfer assistant module 106 via a communication network. The invention further
encompasses a system 100 for transferring and synchronizing a set of content between
electronic devices, wherein the transfer assistant module 106 is present in one of the electronic
devices.
Fig 2 illustrates a system for transferring and synchronizing content, the system connected to a
service server, according t o an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in Fig.2, the system 100 comprises a transfer assistant module 106 connected t o a
first electronic device 102, a second electronic device 104, nth electronic device 108 via one or
more communication channels 110, wherein the transfer assistant module 106 is connected to
an external service server 202. The invention encompasses a system 100, wherein the transfer
assistant module 106 is connected t o an external service server 202 via a communication
network 204. The invention further encompasses a system 100, wherein the communication
network 204 comprises one or more networks.
First Electronic Device
Fig. 3 illustrates example architecture of a first electronic device 102. The first electronic device
102 is configured t o transmit a set of content t o the second electronic device 104.
As shown in Fig. 3, the first electronic device 102 comprises a first transfer manager 302, a
processor 304 and a memory 306. The memory 306 is configured t o store some or all content
present in the first electronic device 102. Content present in the first electronic device 102
includes, but is not limited to, native data and native applications.
The processor 304 is configured t o fetch a set of content from the memory 306 and provide the
same t o the first transfer manager 302. The invention encompasses a first electronic device
102, wherein the processor 304 is configured t o process and/or modify the set of content
fetched from the memory 306 before providing the same t o the first transfer manager 302. The
invention also encompasses a first transfer manager 302 configured t o fetch a set of content
directly from the memory 306. The first transfer manager 302 is configured to transmit the
content received from the processor 304 and/or memory 306 of the first electronic device 102
t o the transfer assistant module 106.
The invention encompasses a first electronic device 102, wherein the first electronic device 102
further comprises a communication interface (not shown in Fig. 3) adapted to facilitate input
and/or output on the first electronic device 102. The communication interface of the first
electronic device 102 may be connected to the first transfer manager 302 and the processor
304.
Second Electronic Device
Fig. 4 illustrates example architecture of a second electronic device 104. The second electronic
device 104 is configured t o receive content from the transfer assistant module 106.
As shown in Fig. 4, the second electronic device 104 comprises a second transfer manager 402,
a processor 404 and a memory 406. The second transfer manager 402 is configured t o receive
content from the transfer assistant module 106 and provide the same to the processor 404
and/ or memory 406. The memory 406 is configured t o store content received from the second
transfer manager 402 and/or the processor 404, and all content already present in the second
electronic device 104. Content already present on the second electronic device includes, but is
not limited to, native data and native applications. Content received from the second transfer
manager 402 includes, but is not limited to, transferred data and transferred applications.
The processor 404 is configured t o receive and/or retrieve content from the second transfer
manager 402 and provide the same to the memory 406. The invention encompasses a second
electronic device 104 comprising a processor 404, wherein the processor 404 is configured to
process and or/modify the content received from the second transfer manager 402 before
providing the same t o the memory 406.
Transfer Assistant Module
Fig. 5 illustrates example architecture of the transfer assistant module 106. The transfer
assistant module 106 is configured t o receive a set of content from the first electronic device
102 and provide a subset of supported content and set of recommended content to the second
electronic device 104. The transfer assistant module 106 is adapted t o be connected t o an
external service server 202.
The invention encompasses a transfer assistant module 106 stored in the first electronic device
102 or the second electronic device 104. The invention further encompasses a transfer
assistant module 106 stored in a standalone device such as a set top box, etc. The invention
also encompasses a transfer assistant module 106 implemented partially in any of the
electronic devices in the system 100 and partially in a standalone device.
As shown in Fig. 5, the transfer assistant module 106 comprises a sync module 502, a memory
504, a transceiver module 506, a recommendation module 508 and a processor 510. The
memory 504 comprises at least one data repository 512 and a storage unit 514. The data
repository 512 is configured t o store content synchronized from the external service server
202. The storage unit 514 is configured to store a set of content received from the first transfer
manager 302. The invention encompasses a transfer assistant module 106 comprising a storage
unit 512, wherein the storage unit 512 is also configured t o store a subset of unsupported
content and a subset of content supported by the second electronic device 104. The invention
encompasses a memory 504 comprising a data repository 512 and a storage unit 514, wherein
the data repository 512 and the storage unit 514 include one or more databases, lookup tables,
or any other form of collecting and/ or organizing content, as may be obvious t o a skilled
person.
The memory 504 is configured t o store additional information. Additional information includes,
but is not limited to, meta-information about the content, synchronized form the external
service server 202, last synchronization status, last synchronization time, current online status,
synchronization errors, store id of the external service server, firmware and/or software
version information of the transfer assistant module, updates on firmware and software of the
transfer assistant module, firmware and/or software version information of the external
synchronization server, or any other information, that may be required for efficient transfer
and synchronization of content in accordance with the present invention.
The transceiver module 506 is configured t o receive a set of content from the first transfer
manager 302 and provide the same to the storage unit 512. The transceiver module 506 is
further configured to receive a set of recommendation content from the recommendation
module 508 and provide the same to the first transfer manager 302 and/or the second transfer
manager 402.
The processor 510 is configured to process the set of content received from the first transfer
manager 302 and stored in the storage unit 512, to generate subset of unsupported content
and subset of content supported by the second electronic device 104. The processor 510 is
further configured to provide the subsets of supported and unsupported content to the storage
unit 512. The processor 510 is also configured to process requests sent by the sync module 502
and one or more electronic devices. The processor 510 is further configured to provide
processing for one or more methods for transfer and synchronization of content, as described
herein.
The sync module 502 is configured to connect with the external service server 202 and
synchronize content from the external service server 202 to the transfer assistant module 106.
The invention encompasses a sync module 502 configured to connect with the external service
server 202 via one or more networks 204. The invention encompasses a sync module 502 that
is configured to synchronize content from the external service server 202 periodically. In a
preferred embodiment, the sync module 502 is configured to synchronize content from the
external service server 202 every one hour. Content synchronized between the external service
server 202 and the transfer assistant module 106 includes, but is not limited to, mobile
applications, application software, offers, campaigns, recommendations, advertisements, and
any other content as described herein, or that may be obvious to a skilled personThe
invention encompasses a sync module 502 configured t o authenticate the external service
server 202 before synchronizing content from the external service server 202. Authenticating
the external service server 202 may comprise sending a connection request packet to the
external service server 202 using its network address, wherein the connection request packet
contains a request for retrieving an identifier of the server 202. After receiving the identifier of
the server 202, content is synchronized into the transfer assistant module 106.
The sync module 502 is configured t o provide the content synchronized from the external
service server 202 to the memory. The invention encompasses a sync module 502 that is
further configured to upload transfer logs stored in the transfer assistant module 106 to the
server 202. The transfer logs incudes content that has-been previously synchronized from the
external service server 202 to the transfer assistant module 106.
The invention encompasses a transfer assistant module 106 comprising a sync module 502,
wherein the sync module 502 further comprises a communication interface (not shown in Fig.
5). The communication interface is configured to facilitate communication between the sync
module 502 and the external service server 202.
The recommendation module 508 is configured t o generate recommendation content based on
the subset of unsupported content stored in the data repository 512. The recommendation
module 508 is further configured to generate recommendation content based on the subset of
unsupported content and content supported by the second electronic device- 104. The
invention encompasses a recommendation module 508 that generates recommendation
content, wherein the recommendation content is analogous to the unsupported content. The
recommendation module 508 is further configured t o store the recommendation content in the
memory 504 and also, or alternatively, transmit the recommendation content t o the
transceiver module 506. The recommendation content includes, but is not limited to, analogous
applications, formatted data, formatted applications, related applications, advertisements,
offers and campaigns.
The invention includes generating a request to create analogous content for a subset of
unsupported content if no recommendation content is found for said unsupported content. The
invention further includes generating a request t o create analogous content for a subset of
unsupported content when recommendation content is found for said unsupported content
but the user wishes to generate such a request.
The transfer assistant module 106 may further comprise a DNS server, a DHCP server and a
Common Gateway Interface (not shown in Fig. 5). The DNS server provides names t o electronic
devices connected to the transfer assistant module 106. The DHCP server maintains a pool of IP
addresses and provides a unique IP address t o any electronic device that connects with the
DHCP server in the transfer assistant module 106.
Method Overview
Fig. 6 illustrates example method of transferring and synchronizing content between a first
electronic device and a second electronic device, according t o the present invention.
At step 602, a request for transfer and synchronization of a set of content is received on the
first electronic device 102. The invention encompasses receiving a request for transfer and
synchronization of the set of content, wherein the request is made by the user via a user
interface. A request is made by the user at the user interface, for example, by giving audio
and/or video commands, touch commands, gestures, etc. The invention further encompasses
providing a user control for selection of the set of content that is to be synchronized and/ or
transferred to the second electronic device 104. Providing a user control for selection of the set
of content may include providing user selectable classes of content, such as contact, messages,
call logs, notes, applications, etc.
At step 604, a connection is established between the first electronic device 102, the second
electronic device 104 and the transfer assistant module 106 based on an access point. The
invention encompasses establishing a connection between the first electronic device 102, the
second electronic device 104 and the transfer assistant module 106 via a wired network, a
wireless network or a combination thereof. The invention further encompasses establishing a
connection based on a wireless access point. The invention also encompasses establishing a
connection over Wi-Fi. The invention covers establishing a connection via Bluetooth. The
invention also covers establishing a peer-to-peer connection between the first electronic device
102 and the second electronic device 104. The invention further covers establishing a
connection between the first electronic device 102 and the second electronic device 104
through a hotspot created by the transfer assistant module 106.
The invention encompasses establishing a connection between the first electronic device 102,
the second electronic device 104 and the transfer assistant module 106, wherein the
establishing a connection comprises authenticating the first electronic device 102 and the
second electronic device 104. Authentication of the first electronic device 102 and the second
electronic device 104 may be provided by receiving same device identifier, such as an
alphanumeric code, on both the devices. Alternatively, a picture pairing process may be used
for authentication, wherein a set of pictures are generated on both devices and the devices are
authenticated by selection of the same picture on both the first electronic device 102 and the
second electronic device 104. It will be appreciated that the invention encompasses any known
method for authenticating two devices as may be obvious to a skilled person.
The invention covers establishing a connection between the first electronic device 102, the
second electronic device 104 and the transfer assistant module 106 in response t o receiving a
request for transfer and synchronization of content, on the first electronic device 102. The
invention also covers establishing a connection between the first electronic device 102, the
second electronic device 104 and the transfer assistant module 106 in response t o installation
of one or more application software on the first electronic device 102 and/or the second
electronic device 104.
At step 606, the process determines if content is supported by the second electronic device
104. If it is determined that the content is supported, the control passes directly to step 610.
However, if at step 606 it is determined that the content is not supported by the second
electronic device, the control passes to step 608. The invention encompasses determining if
content is supported by the second electronic device 104 by obtaining device characteristics of
the second electronic device 104 and comparing one or more parameters of the set of content
and/or the device characteristics of the first electronic device 102, with the device
characteristics of the second device 104. The invention further encompasses determining if
content is supported by the second electronic device 104 by comparing one or more
parameters of the set of content and/or the device characteristics of the first electronic device
102 with a pre-configured set of characteristics.
The invention encompasses determining a subset of unsupported content and a subset of
content supported by the second electronic device 104, wherein said subsets are determined
by the first electronic device 102. The invention further encompasses transferring a set of
content from the first electronic device 102 t o the transfer assistant module 106 and
subsequently determining subset of unsupported content and a subset of content supported by
the second electronic device 104, wherein said subsets are determined by the transfer assistant
module 106.
The invention encompasses determining a subset of unsupported content and a subset of
content supported by the second electronic device 104, wherein this step occurs prior t o or
after establishing a connection between the first electronic device 102, the second electronic
device 104 and the transfer assistant module 106. The invention encompasses determining a
subset of unsupported content and a subset of content supported by the second electronic
device 104, in response t o receiving a request for transfer and synchronization of content
between electronic devices.
At step 608, a set of recommendation content is provided based on the subset of unsupported
content, wherein the set of recommendation content comprises content analogous t o the
subset of unsupported content. The invention encompasses providing the set of
recommendation content based on a profile of a user of the first electronic device 102 and/or
the second electronic device 104. The profile of a user of the first electronic device 102 and/or
second electronic device 104 may be retrieved from the user profile information stored on the
device. Alternatively, the profile of the user may be obtained from one or more social
networking platforms, websites or applications. The invention further encompasses providing
the set of recommendation content based on characteristics of the second electronic device
104. The characteristics of the second electronic device 104 are retrieved from the second
electronic device 104 at any time after establishing a connection between the first electronic
device 102, the second electronic device 104 and the transfer assistant module 106. The
invention also encompasses providing set of recommendation content based on an activity of
the user of the first electronic device 102 and/or the second electronic device 104. Activity of
the user includes, but is not limited to, web browsing history of the user, navigational history of
the user or any other activity as may be obvious to a skilled person.
The invention includes providing the set of recommendation content, wherein providing the set
of recommendation content comprises identifying analogous content from the data repository
512. The invention further includes providing the set of recommendation content by identifying
analogous content from a third-party data server. The invention further includes providing the
set of recommendation content, wherein providing the set of recommendation content
comprises modifying a format of the subset of unsupported content.
At step 610, the set of supported content and the set of recommendation content is
transmitted from the first electronic device 102 t o the second electronic device 104. The
invention encompasses transmitting the subset of supported content and the set of
recommendation content from the first electronic device 102 t o the second electronic device
104 via the transfer assistant module 106. The invention encompasses unicast, multicast and
broadcast transmission of the subset of supported content and set of recommendation content
from the first electronic device 102. In case of multicast and broadcast transmission, content
may be transmitted from a first electronic device 102 to more than one electronic device. The
invention encompasses transmission of some or all content from the set of recommendation
content provided by the system. The invention further encompasses transmission of the
content selected by the user from the set of recommendation content.
The invention further includes displaying a list of transmitted content on the second electronic
device 104 that allows the user. to confirm that all selected and/or desired content has been
transmitted. Displaying a list of transmitted content may further include displaying the number
of items selected on the first electronic device 102 t o be transmitted and a list of items that are
transmitted from the first electronic device 102 t o the second electronic device 104. The
invention also includes displaying a list of desired and/or selected content t o be transmitted
that was not transmitted t o the second electronic device 104 due t o one or more errors. The
invention also covers displaying the list of transmitted content, wherein the list of transmitted
content includes a user control such as one or more hyperlinks, executable code, or any other
code that initiates the download and/or installation of the transmitted content on the second
electronic device 104. The invention encompasses providing user control for downloading
and/or installing transmitted content, wherein the user control provides details or information
about the transmitted content. The invention encompasses user control for downloading
and/or installing transmitted content that allows the user t o select one or more content and
initiate download and/installation of all selected content with one user instruction.
The invention further encompasses a method for transferring and synchronizing content
between the first electronic device 102 and the second electronic device 104, wherein the
method comprises synchronizing the transfer assistant module 106 periodically with the service
server 202. The invention also encompasses a method for transferring and synchronizing
content between the first electronic device 102 and the second electronic device 104, wherein
the method comprises displaying a user control for selecting the set of recommendation
content. The user control may include one or more hyperlinks or other suitable controls that
allows the user-to install one or more content on the second electronic device 104. The
invention encompasses displaying a user control for selecting the set of recommendation
content, wherein the controls t o duplicate content that is already present on the second
electronic device 104 is deleted or skipped by the system 100.
In operation, the method as shown in Fig. 6 allows a user t o transmit and synchronize content
between a first electronic device 102 and a second electronic device 104. Although the method
600 has been shown as a flowchart in Fig. 6, it can also or alternatively be implemented as one
or more objects, state diagrams, or any other suitable manner.
The present invention encompasses removing the set of content from the first electronic device
102 after it has been transmitted t o the second electronic device 104. The invention includes
providing a user control that allows the user to select content that is t o be removed from the
first electronic device 102 after the same has been transmitted t o the second electronic device
104.
The present invention encompasses one or more error detection and correction mechanisms.
Error may be connection establishment error, connection lost error, transmission error, packet
lost error, packet damage error, address conflict error, path error, or any other errors
encountered by the system 100. The error detection and correction mechanism may be
systematic or non-systematic. The invention encompasses error detection and correction
mechanism including adding one or more headers and/or trailers to one or more packets
transmitted within, from or to the system 100. The invention encompasses use of error
detection mechanisms such as repetition codes, parity bits, checksums, cyclic redundancy
checks, hash functions, or any other mechanism or combination of mechanisms as may be
obvious to a skilled person. The invention encompasses use of error correction mechanisms
such as automatic repeat request (ARQ), forward error correction (FEC), or any other
mechanism or combination of mechanisms as may be obvious t o a skilled person.
Hardware Overview
The system for transferring and synchronizing content comprises of two or more electronic
devices connected to a transfer assistant module via one or more communication channels. The
invention encompasses electronic devices that are hard wired t o perform the techniques as
disclosed herein. Alternatively, the electronic devices include one or more application specific
integrated circuits or field programmable gate arrays that are programmed to perform the
techniques described herein. Techniques described herein may be performed by one or more
devices and the transfer assistant module in response to execution of instructions by one or
more processors, wherein the instructions are stored in one or more memory units.
The invention includes communication channels 110 which are wired channels or wireless
channels. In a preferred embodiment, the communication channels 110 are based on Institute
of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 standards. Wired communication channels
include, for example, coaxial cables, copper wires, fiber optics, or any other wires as may be
obvious to a person skilled in the art. Communication between modules or units within the
electronic devices and the transfer assistant module 106 occur via a bus or other
communication mechanisms as obvious t o a person skilled in the art.
One or more electronic devices and the transfer assistant module 106 comprise a memory that
may include a random access memory or other dynamic storage device for storing information
and instructions t o be executed by a processor. The memory in each device may be used for
storing temporary variables or other intermediate information during execution of instructions
by a processor. The memory in each electronic device and the transfer assistant module 106
may further include a read only memory or other static storage device for storing static
information and instructions for a processor.
One or more electronic devices and the transfer assistant module 106 may be coupled t o a
display unit for displaying information t o the user. The display unit may include different
display technologies as may be obvious t o a person skilled in the art, such as CRT display, a
liquid crystal display (LCD), a electro luminescent display (ELD), a gas plasma display, etc.
One or more electronic devices and the transfer assistant module 106 may be coupled to an
input unit for communicating information input by the user, t o a processor or one or more
other units in the electronic device or the transfer assistant module. The input unit may include
alphanumeric and other keys. The input unit may additionally include a cursor control, such as a
mouse, trackball, or cursor direction keys, for communicating direction information input by
the user, t o a processor or one or more other units in the electronic device or the transfer
assistant module. The cursor control typically has two degrees of freedom, in two axes, a first
axis (e.g. X axis) and a second axis (e.g. Y axis), that allows the cursor control t o specify
positions in a plane.
One or more electronic devices and the transfer assistant module 106 comprises of a
communication interface that provides a two-way communication coupling t o the external
service server. The communication interface sends and received electrical, electromagnetic or
optical signals that carry digital streams representing various types of information. The
communication interface may be an integrated services digital network (ISDN) card, cable
modem, satellite modem, or a modem t o provide communication connection t o a
corresponding type of telephone line. The communication interface may further be a local area
network (LAN) card t o provide a communication connection to a compatible LAN.
The transfer assistant module may be connected to the external service server via one or more
networks. Network may be a wired network, a wireless network or a combination thereof. The
invention encompasses use of network, for example, internet, a personal area network, local
area network, metropolitan area networks, wide area network, or any combination of these. In
alternate embodiments, the network may even be a storage area network, a virtual private
network or an enterprise private network.

We claim:
1. A method of transferring and synchronizing content between a first electronic device
and a second electronic device, the method comprising:
establishing a connection based on an access point between the first electronic
device, the second electronic device and a transfer assistant module;
determining from the set of content, a subset of unsupported content and a subset
of content supported by the second electronic device;
providing a set of recommendation content based on the subset of unsupported
content, wherein the set of recommendation content comprises content analogous t o
the subset of unsupported content; and
transmitting the subset of supported content and the set of analogous content from
the first electronic device t o the second electronic device.
The method of claim 1 may further comprise selecting the subset of supported content
t o be synchronized and/or transferred between the first electronic device and the
second electronic device.
The method of claim 1, wherein establishing a connection based on an access point
between the first electronic device, the second electronic device and the transfer
assistant module comprises connecting via a wireless network, a wired network or a
combination thereof.
4. The method of claim 1 may further comprise authenticating the first electronic device
and the second electronic device.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein providing the set of recommendation content is based
on a profile of a user of at least one of the first electronic device and the second
electronic device.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein providing the set of recommendation content is based
on characteristics of the second electronic device.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein providing the set of recommendation content may
comprise identifying the analogous content from at least one data repository.
8. The method of claim 1, wherein providing the set of recommendation content may
comprise modifying a format of the subset of unsupported content.
9. The method of claim 1 may further comprise synchronizing the transfer assistant
module periodically with a service server.
10. The method of claim 1 may further comprise displaying a user control for selecting the
set of recommendation content.
11. A system for transferring and synchronizing content between a first electronic device
and a second electronic device, the system comprising:
a memory comprising a data repository;
a processor configured to determine from the set of content, a subset of unsupported
content and a subset of content supported by the second electronic device;
a recommendation module configured t o provide a set of recommendation content
based on the subset of unsupported content, wherein the set of recommendation
content comprises a set of content analogous t o the unsupported content; and
a transceiver module configured t o transmit the subset of supported content and the
set of analogous content to the second electronic device.
12. The system of claim 11 may further comprise a sync module configured t o synchronize
the data repository periodically with a service server.