NL1017086C1 - Data system. - Google Patents

Abstract

Data system comprising a user terminal (1) which comprises a local data register (1a) containing local data items for use by the user. The terminal can link up via a network (2) to a central data register (4) containing similar data items. The local data register (1a) and the central data register (4) can exchange their content (inspection, copying, synchronisation etc.). The private data register (4) can also link up to a public data register (5), whereby the private data register and the public data register can also synchronise or otherwise exchange their content. The public data register (5) can also link up to further public or even private data registers (6) and thereby make available their content for "inspection", "copying", etc. The to which information may be exchanged is determined by selection filters (7) which are set by the users.

Description

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Data system

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a data system, comprising a user terminal which comprises a local data register with local data items to be used by the user, which terminal can connect via a network to a central data register with similar data items, and the local data register and the 10 central data register exchange their contents.

Such a system is generally known, for example in a network environment, where the local data register - for example a "global address list" of a "mail client" - is "synchronized" in a PC connected to a LAN as soon as the PC is logged in to the LAN, whereby the local version of the "global address list" is updated by the central LAN version. If the local user has write permission, the central version may also be updated on the basis of the local version. Synchronization consists of the most recent records being entered in both versions of the data register - the local and the central version - possibly replacing less recent records. In the context of this application, "data" is considered to be address data, agenda data, etc., whereby a user can both use his (M / F) private data collection addresses, appointments, notes, etc. .- as of public data collections.

30 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the invention is to link several data registers so that users can always update their data register via the network, wherever they are located. According to the invention, various public data registers, such as telephone, fax and e-mail databases, can be successfully used. Using these for updating the private and 10170 -2 local data registers ensures that the data in those private data registers is always correct. The public data registers can in turn form the core of a network of other data registers, such as further 5 central public data registers, but also central private data registers that have been made accessible for this purpose via access flashers, etc. The private data register may comprise filters or generally selection means which, depending on their institution, determine which data items are and which are not with the central public data register, respectively. the other private or public data registers may be exchanged. The selection means can be set via the user terminal. For the purposes of this application, the term "exchange of the contents of the respective data registers" is understood to encompass operations such as viewing, copying, modifying, deleting, enrolling or synchronizing. The selection tools determine the extent to which operations may and may not be performed.

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IMPLEMENTATION EXAMPLE

Figure 1 schematically shows an exemplary embodiment of the invention, namely a data system, comprising a user terminal 1 comprising a local data register 1a (usually on the hard disk of that terminal) with local data items to be used by the user. These data items can be telephone numbers, fax numbers, e-mail addresses, etc. Several terminals have been signed, both wired and wireless. Each terminal 1 can connect via a network 2 to a central data register 4 in which similar data items are stored. After the user has logged in to the central data register 4 by means of a user name and password via a terminal 1, whereby the user 35 has access to "his" working area within the central data register 4, the local data register 1a and the central data register 4 exchange their contents 1017086 * -3- ("synchronize"). The private data register 4 can also connect to a public data register 5 and retrieve (public) data from it. The public data register 5 can also connect via network 2 to further private (for example in group use) or public data registers 6 and exchange their contents.

The invention therefore comprises three synchronizations. The first synchronization takes place between the different 10 places where a user has stored his data, namely his terminal (mobile terminal, E-mail terminal, PDA, etc) and a place specially reserved for the user on the network, namely the central private data register 4, the "Network Address Book" (NAB). This synchronization ensures that a user no longer has to manually update data in different places in his different terminals 1, but can easily synchronize them all with the data in his central data register 4.

The second synchronization takes place between the NAB 4 of a user and a public central data 5 in which the public data of all users are stored. If the public data of a user changes (via the administrator of that public database or (which is sometimes possible 25) by the relevant user, this change is carried out in the central public data 5. The second synchronization ensures that the data also automatically end up in the NAB of the different users.

The last synchronization is performed between the central data 5 and other existing directories 6. Examples of such directories 6 are databases with telephone directories of different (foreign) operators and e-mail directories of different ISPs. Synchronization 35 thereof with the central public data 5 is intended for correct safeguarding of the public data.

Exchange of the data between the different registers 101708 6 ^ -4- depends on the setting of selection means 7 (filters, "rules", privileges, etc.) in the private data register 4 and in the central public data register 5, which are users -via terminal 1- can be set 5. Those selection means settings determine whether or not the respective exchange operations "view", "copy", "modify", "delete", "register" or "synchronize" between the different data registers may be performed. It is clear that, for example, the 10 users want to determine for themselves whether their (private) data may be viewed, changed, deleted by other data registers or users, etc. The filters 7 may be part of the register 4 or of the register 5 or be distributed over both registers. 15 The exchange of the data items therefore takes place under management by the users who - by setting the selection means accessible to them 7 - have rights to perform the various operations such as viewing, copying, changing, deleting or registering. synchronizing data items can assign to other users, for example belonging to a particular user group. To this end, the setting of the selection means comprises an indication (parameter, user name, group name, etc.) concerning users or user groups that are authorized to perform those respective operations in the respective registers.

Claims (7)

1. Data system, comprising a user terminal (1) comprising a local data register (1a) for registering data items of a certain type to be used by the user, which terminal (1) is connected via a network (2) to a central data register (4), the local data register and the central data register comprising means for exchanging similar data items among themselves, characterized in that the private data register (4) comprises means for connecting and exchanging similar data items data items with a public data register (5). Data system according to claim 1, characterized in that the public data register (5) comprises means for connecting and exchanging similar data items with further data registers (6). Data system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the private data register (4) comprises selection means (7) which, depending on their institution, determine which data items are and which are not with the central public data register (5), respectively. further data registers (6) may be exchanged. Data system according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the selection means (7) are suitable for adjustment by the user terminal (1). Data system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the public data register (5) comprises selection means (7) which, depending on their institution, determine which data items may and may not be used with the respective further data registers (6). exchanged. Data system according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the exchange of the data items, depending on the setting of the selection means (7), comprises the operations of viewing, copying, changing, deleting, registering or synchronizing. Data system according to claim 5, characterized in that the setting of the selection means comprises an indication concerning users or user groups who are entitled 1 0 1 7 G G G 'T -6- to perform the respective operations in the respective registers. l i i '\ _y