(12) United States Patent
`Desai et al.
`
`US006820204B1
`US 6,820,204 B1
`Nov. 16,2004
`
`(10) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`(54) SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SELECTIVE
`INFORMATION EXCHANGE
`
`(76)
`
`Inventors: Nimesh Desai, 13261 Tiburon Way,
`(US) 92782; Sanjay Udani,
`Tustin, CA
`1930 Tamarind Ave., #8, Hollywood,
`CA (US) 90068; James David Kimble,
`Jr., 14040 Tahiti Way, #512, Marina
`Del Rey, CA(US) 90292-6511;
`Thomas P. Werges, 1334 Euclid Ave.,
`#4, Santa Monica, CA
`(US) 90404;
`David Dean Richardson, 330 E.
`(US)
`Cordova St., #311, Pasadena, CA
`91101; Jeffrey A. Gustafson, 10130
`Lemona Ave., Mission Hills, CA (US)
`91345
`
`( * ) Notice:
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 09/541,890
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Mar. 31, 2000
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`(60) Provisional application No. 60/127,114,
`filed on Mar. 31,
`1999.
`(51) Int. CI.7
`(52) U.S. CI.
`
`G06K 11/30; 11041. 9/00
`713/201; 713/154; 713/166;
`709/249; 705/51; 705/54; 375/741
`713/201, 200,
`(58) Field of Search
`713/202, 152, 165, 166, 171, 167, 193;
`709/224, 248, 225, 206, 250, 249, 44; 705/51,
`54, 56, 58, 26, 52; 707/1, 10, 2; 379/93.02,
`93.07; 235/380, 382.5, 492; 345/741
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`A system and method for providing users with granular
`control over arbitrary information that allows for selective,
`real-time information sharing in a communications network
`term this
`
`of
`the
`Subject to any disclaimer,
`such as the Internet is provided. In a network including a
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`plurality of network devices
`
`operated by a plurality of users,
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.
`a real-time information exchange system for sharing user
`profile information between respective users includes a
`database management system
`connected
`to
`
`the network. The
`database management system, which may be distributed
`
`across the network, stores the user profile information for a
`plurality of registered users of the information exchange
`system. The user profile information includes a plurality of
`data elements, each data element having an associated one
`of the plurality of
`registered users. Each data element
`associated group of users to whom access
`to the data element
`has been granted, and users not included in the associated
`group of users are denied access to the data element. Each
`registered user may selectively control the granting and
`denying of access
`to each of
`its
`
`associated elements by
`other respective user, on an element-by-element, and user-
`by-user basis. Further, each registered user may dynamically
`create its own data fields.
`
`5,263,158 A * 11/1993 Janis
`5,345,586 A
`9/1994 Hamala et al.
`5,506,984 A
`4/1996 Miller
`
`707/1
`707/10
`707/10
`
`(List continued on next page.)
`
`Primary Examiner—EmmmuzX L. Moise
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Manatt Phelps & Phillips
`LLP
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`has
`
`an
`
`data
`
`5,065,429 A
`
`11/1991 Lang
`
`705/56
`
`24 Claims, 42 Drawing Sheets
`
`'K
`
`16c
`
`THIRD
`PARTY
`
`•
`
`24
`
`VENDOR
`
`1*
`
`NETWORK
`
`REGISTERED
`USER
`
`INFORMATION
`EMHMftS
`SYSTEM
`
`20b
`
`• l
`
`12t
`
`JO-y
`
`EXTERNAL
`E-MAIL
`SYSTEM
`
`«
`
`30a
`
`20
`
`20a
`20c
`
`AFFILIATE
`
`|
`'
`REGISTERED
`USER
`
`/• a-
`•
`
`7
`12
`
`7
`10
`
`7
`26
`
`VISA - EXHIBIT 1007
`
`

`

`US 6,820,204 B1
`Page 2
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`5,701,423 A
`5,726,898 A
`5,787,175 A
`5.809.497 A
`5,818,936 A
`5,835,595 A
`5,864,683 A
`5,867,799 A
`5,872,850 A
`5,884,323 A
`5,892,900 A
`5,923,845 A
`5.933.498 A
`
`12/1997 Crozier
`3/1998 Jacobs
`7/1998 Carter
`9/1998 Freund et al. .
`10/1998 Mashayekhi ...
`11/1998 Fraser et al. ...
`1/1999 Boebert et al.
`2/1999 Lang et al
`2/1999 Klein et al
`3/1999 Hawkins et al.
`4/1999 Ginter et al. ..
`7/1999 Kamiya et al.
`8/1999 Schneck et al.
`
`345/762
`700/231
`713/165
`.. 707/2
`713/167
`713/169
`709/249
`.. 707/1
`.. 705/5
`707/201
`713/200
`709/206
`. 705/54
`
`5,933,811 A
`5,974,141 A
`5,974,238 A
`5,983,200 A
`5,983,214 A
`5,983,270 A
`5,987,440 A
`6,002,772 A
`6,005,939 A
`6,038,597 A
`6,044,155 A
`6,213,391 Bi *
`6,614,888 Bl *
`
`8/1999 Angles et al
`10/1999 Saito
`10/1999 Chase, Jr
`11/1999 Slotznick
`11/1999 Lang et al
`11/1999 Abraham et al. ..
`11/1999 O'Neil et al
`12/1999 Saito
`12/1999 Fortenberry et al.
`3/2000 Van Wyngarden .
`3/2000 Thomlinson et al.
`4/2001 Lewis
`9/2003 Andreason
`
`... 705/14
`... 705/52
`.. 709/248
`... 705/26
`707/1
`.. 709/224
`.... 705/44
`... 705/58
`.... 705/76
`.. 709/219
`.. 713/155
`.. 235/380
`379/93.02
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 16,2004
`
`Sheet 1 of 42
`
`US 6,820,204 B1
`
`16
`X
`
`16a
`
`THIRD
`PARTY
`
`•
`
`24
`
`z
`
`VENDOR
`
`14
`
`NETWORK
`
`REGISTERED
`USER
`
`INFORMATION
`gXCHAK'g-S
`SYSTEM
`
`20b
`
`fe
`C
`
`10a-
`
`12a
`
`7
`12
`7
`FIG.
`
`7
`10
`
`30
`X
`
`EXTERNAL
`E-MAIL
`SYSTEM
`
`30a
`
`20
`
`20a
`
`20c
`
`AFFILIATE
`
`REGISTERED
`USER
`
`o
`
`7
`26
`
`120 ^ GET PROFILE INFORMATION FROM REGISTERED USER
`I
`122 N GENERATE SECRET KEY FOR EACH DATA ELEMENT
`I
`124 ^ ENCRYPT EACH DATA ELEMENT WITH ITS SECRET KEY
`I
`126 x STORE ENCRYPTED INFORMATION IN DATABASE
`I
`128-
`ENCRYPT EACH SECRET KEY WITH USER'S PUBLIC KEY
`I
`130 x STORE ENCRYPTED SECRET KEY IN DBMS
`I
`( END )
`
`FIG. 6
`
`

`

`U#S# Patent
`
`Nov. 16,2004
`
`Sheet 2 of 42
`
`US 6,820,204 B1
`
`12 \ REGISTERED
`USER
`
`FIG. 2
`
`18
`
`FIELDS
`TELEPHONE NUMBER
`STREET ADDRESS
`CREDIT ORD #
`
`20 z
`
`ACCESS
`ONLINE VENDOR,
`BUSINESS CONTACT
`ONLINE VENDOR
`ONLINE VENDOR
`
`INFORMATION
`EXCHAWG-e
`\
`10
`SYSTEM
`
`0
`
`m-
`
`22a L
`
`TELEPHONE #
`STREET ADDRESS
`CREDIT CARD #
`22b
`d.
`TELEPHONE #
`
`16a
`L
`ONLINE
`VENDOR
`16b
`I
`BUSINESS
`CONTACT
`
`22c
`16c
`L
`L
`(NO DATA) — TELEMARKETER
`
`FIG. 8a
`
`160-
`
`»
`
`+
`
`•-T
`
`4
`
`162
`
`+
`
`a
`
`r' 164
`
`1
`
`4
`
`T
`
`166
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 16,2004
`
`Sheet 3 of 42
`
`US 6,820,204 B1
`
`56
`\
`NETWORK
`DEVICE
`
`14
`
`NETWORK
`
`44a
`
`44b
`
`m
`
`40
`
`42
`
`44c
`
`V
`
`44d
`
`• «E|
`
`i
`
`46 \
`
`HUB
`
`48 x STORAGE
`
`SYSTEM
`
`50-
`
`DBMS
`
`54
`
`E-MAIL
`
`KEY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
`
`52
`
`FIG. J
`
`\
`
`10
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 16,2004
`
`Sheet 4 of 42
`
`US 6,820,204 B1
`
`56
`
`NETWORK
`DEVICE
`
`14
`
`NETWORK
`
`40
`
`44b
`
`46
`
`HUB
`
`48 X STORAGE
`SYSTEM
`
`50-
`
`DBMS
`
`54
`
`E-MAIL
`
`FIG. 4
`
`\
`
`10
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 16,2004
`
`Sheet 5 of 42
`
`US 6,820,204 B1
`
`Registered
`User
`
`104a
`
`Internet
`
`a
`
`7
`
`104
`
`102
`
`Information
`Exchange
`System
`
`KMS
`
`100
`
`100b •
`
`100a
`
`Merchant
`
`108a r
`
`O
`
`108
`
`Universal ID User ID
`
`Field Name
`
`Encrypted Data Element
`
`111,431.564
`
`222.431.564
`
`333.431.564
`
`444.431.564
`
`555.431.564
`+
`
`7701
`
`7701
`
`7701
`
`7701
`
`7701
`
`I
`
`110 s
`
`First Name
`
`Last Name
`
`Telephone No
`
`Address
`
`Credit Card No
`
`XXX
`
`XXX
`
`XXX
`
`XXX
`
`XXX
`
`Encrypted Secret Key
`
`Universal ID User ID
`
`333.431.564
`
`333.431.564
`
`333.431.564
`
`444.431.564
`
`555.431.564
`
`7701
`
`7702
`
`7703
`
`7703
`
`7703
`
`XXX
`
`XXX
`
`XXX
`
`XXX
`
`XXX
`
`\
`
`112
`
`FIG. 5
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 16,2004
`
`Sheet 6 of 42
`
`US 6,820,204 B1
`
`( START ^
`
`140
`
`SELECT A DATA ELEMENT TO WHICH ACCESS WILL BE GRANTED
`
`142SELECT A THIRD PARTY USER FOR WHICH ACCESS TO
`THE SELECTED DATA ELEMENT WILL BE GRANTED
`
`> t
`
`144
`
`LOOK UP THIRD PARTY'S PUBLIC KEY
`
`146
`
`LOCATE THE REGISTERED USER'S COPY OF THE ENCRYPTED SECRET KEY
`
`148-^ DECRYPT SECRET KEY WITH REGISTERED USER'S PRIVATE KEY
`
`150 \. ENCRYPT SECRET KEY WITH THIRD PARTY'S PUBLIC KEY
`
`152
`
`STORE ENCRYPTED SECRET KEY IN DBMS, ALONG WITH
`USER ID AND UNIVERSAL ID OF DATA ELEMENT
`
`> 1
`
`i
`
`f
`
`END
`
`FIG. 7
`
`163
`
`Universal ID of Data Element
`
`User ID View ID
`
`111.431.564
`
`222.431.564
`
`555.431.564
`
`111.431.564
`
`333.431.564
`444.431.564
`
`7701
`
`7701
`
`7701
`
`A
`
`7701
`
`7701
`
`A
`
`A
`
`A
`
`B
`
`B
`
`B
`
`FIG. 8b
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 16,2004
`
`Sheet 7 of 42
`
`US 6,820,204 B1
`
`Group Owner's User ID Group ID Group Member's ID
`7701
`
`A
`
`2
`
`7701
`
`7701
`7701
`
`7701
`
`7701
`
`A
`
`A
`
`B
`
`B
`
`B
`
`3
`
`4
`
`A
`
`5
`6
`
`400
`
`402
`
`404
`
`Universal ID
`
`User ID
`
`Field Name
`
`45023098
`
`29234092
`
`34098243
`
`7701
`
`7701
`
`7701
`
`First Name
`
`Last Name
`
`Favorite Beer
`
`167
`
`FIG. 8c
`
`406
`
`1
`
`Field Type
`
`390
`
`1
`
`2 ! 1
`
`FIELD TYPE 2
`
`i
`
`FIELD TYPE 1
`
`Universal ID
`
`User ID
`
`Encrypted
`Data Element
`
`45023098
`
`29234092
`
`7701
`
`7701
`
`XXX
`
`XXX
`
`Universal ID User ID
`
`Encrypted
`Data Element
`
`34098243
`
`7701
`
`XXX
`
`\ J
`392y
`
`FIG. 15a
`
`User Profile Information
`
`First Name:
`
`Tom
`
`Last Name:
`
`Werges
`
`Favorite Beer:
`
`Samuel Adams
`
`Edit
`
`Close
`
`FIG. 15b
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 16,2004
`
`Sheet 8 of 42
`
`US 6,820,204 B1
`
`( START )
`
`170
`
`SELECT A VIEW TO
`WHICH ACCESS WILL BE GRANTED
`
`172 "X SELECT A GROUP OE THIRD PARW USERS EOR WHICH
`ACCESS TO THE SELECTED VIEW WILL BE GRANTED
`
`174
`
`EOR EACH THIRD PARTY USER,
`LOOK UP THIRD PARW USER'S PUBLIC KEY
`
`176
`X
`
`FOR EACH DATA ELEMENT IN THE VIEW, LOCATE THE
`REGISTERED USER'S COPY OF THE ENCRYPTED SECRET KEY
`
`178
`X
`
`FOR EACH DATA ELEMENT IN THE VIEW, DECRYPT
`ITS SECRET KEY WITH REGISTERED USER'S PRIVATE KEY
`
`180
`
`L
`
`FOR EACH DATA ELEMENT IN THE VIEW, SEPARATELY ENCRYPT THE DATA
`ELEMENT'S SECRET KEY WITH EACH THIRD PARTY'S PUBLIC KEY, TO CREATE
`AN ENCRYPTED SECRET KEY FOR EACH THIRD PARTY
`
`182
`
`FOR EACH SEPARATELY ENCRYPTED DATA ELEMENT IN THE VIEW,
`STORE THE ASSOCIATED ENCRYPTED SECRET KEY IN DBMS, ALONG
`WITH THE THIRD PARTY USER'S ID AND ZKEY
`
`( END )
`
`FIG. 9
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 16,2004
`
`Sheet 9 of 42
`
`US 6,820,204 B1
`
`190 \
`
`( START )
`
`REQUEST ACCESS TO A DATA ELEMENT OF THE STORED PROFILE INFORMATION
`
`192
`
`SEARCH FOR DATA ELEMENT'S UNIVERSAL ID AND
`REQUESTING PARTY'S USER ID IN KEY CHAIN DATABASE
`
`194
`
`FIG. 10
`
`RECORD \ NO
`FOUND
`o
`
`196
`I
`CANNOT PROVIDE
`ACCESS TO THE
`REQUESTED INFORMATION
`
`YES
`198 \ DECRYPT SECRET KEY WITH
`REQUESTING PARTY'S PRIVATE KEY
`
`200-^ DECRYPT THE REQUESTED INFORMATION
`USING THE DECRYPTED SECRET KEY
`
`( END ^
`
`(W)
`
`200-
`
`CREATE NEW PUBLIC/PRIVATE KEY PAIR
`I
`202 ^ GENERATE TEMPORARY PASSWORD
`
`204 ^ SEARCH KEY CHAIN DATABASE FOR USER ID
`
`206
`
`USER
`ID FOUND
`
`TES
`
`FETCH SECRET KEY
`FROM KEY ESCROW
`
`208
`
`FIG. 11
`
`NO
`
`ENCRYPT SECRET KEY
`USING NEW PUBLIC KEY
`
`210
`
`•'
`
`212
`STORE ENCRYPTED SECRET KEY _j
`IN KEY CHAIN DATABASE
`
`&
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 16,2004
`
`Sheet 10 of 42
`
`US 6,820,204 B1
`
`INFORMATION
`EXCUANfrfi
`SYSTEM
`
`302a X
`
`302
`
`302b
`
`NAMING
`.SERVICE
`
`REGISTERED
`USER
`
`308 X
`
`AFFILIATE
`SYSTEM
`
`304a *> V
`
`INTERNET
`
`304b
`
`NAMING
`SERVICE
`
`7
`
`304
`
`306
`
`INFORMATION
`SXCHAVS®
`SYSTEM
`
`300a
`
`300b
`
`300
`
`NAMING
`.SERVICE
`
`FIG. 12
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 16,2004
`
`Sheet 11 of 42
`
`US 6,820,204 B1
`
`REGISTERED
`USER
`
`362 X
`
`354
`
`INTERNET
`
`358
`/
`INFORMATION
`
`SYSTEM
`
`PHYSICAL
`352^ FIREWALL
`
`AFFILIATE
`
`350
`
`3560'
`
`356c
`
`/
`
`/
`
`/
`
`REGISTERED
`USER
`
`fe
`
`1
`360
`
`356b
`
`\
`
`N
`
`\
`
`N
`
`N
`
`N
`
`S
`
`N
`
`FIELD
`BUSINESS PHONE
`BILLING RATE
`SALARY
`
`PUBLIC/PRIVATE
`PUBLIC
`PRIVATE
`PRIVATE
`
`358
`
`FIG. 13
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 16,2004
`
`Sheet 12 of 42
`
`US 6,820,204 B1
`
`( START )
`
`RECEIVE REQUEST FOR ACCESS TO A DATA
`ELEMENT OF THE STORED PROFILE INFORMATION
`
`370
`
`SEARCH FOR DATA ELEMENT'S UNIVERSAL
`ID AND REQUESTING PARTY'S USER ID IN
`KEY CHAIN DATABASE
`
`372
`
`374
`
`378
`
`RECORD \ NO
`FOUND A~
`9
`
`YES
`
`380
`
`' PUBLIC N
`OR PRIVATE
`
`IS
`PRIVATE / REQUESTER \ N0
`LOCAL
`
`PUBLIC
`
`YES
`
`382 X
`
`DECRYPT SECRET KEY WITH
`REQUESTING PARTY'S
`PRIVATE KEY
`
`DECRYPT THE REQUESTED INFORMATION ^384
`USING THE DECRYPTED SECRET KEY
`
`(MT)
`
`FIG. 14
`
`376
`
`Z
`
`CANNOT
`PROVIDE
`ACCESS TO
`THE REQUESTED
`INFORMATION
`
`

`

`FIG. 16
`
`516-
`
`VENDOR
`
`INTERNET
`CLIENT
`
`510
`
`WEBPHONE
`
`512
`
`KIOSK UNIT
`
`514
`
`NETWORK
`. 503
`
`VOICE RESPONSE
`SYSTEM 520
`
`INFORMATION SERVER
`500
`
`CPU
`
`502
`
`SERVER
`APPLICATION
`
`RDBMS
`
`504
`
`506
`
`TELEPHONE
`NETWORK
`522
`
`TELEPHONE
`
`524
`
`C/5
`"O p
`ft
`9
`
`2; o
`
`o o -u
`
`CZ2
`CD S-
`
`o
`-u
`
`el cn
`ON
`oo
`o
`o
`W
`
`

`

`F/G. 17
`
`AUTH_USER
`
`PHOTO
`
`REQUESTS
`
`ACTIVE
`SESSIONS
`
`FIELD_ TYPES
`
`SDN_VIEWS
`
`VALLIE_SETS
`
`PREDEFINED. FIELDS
`
`PREDEFiNED_VIEWS
`
`Z_WEBSITES
`
`ZMain =—
`
`SDN_SEARCHABLES
`
`SDN_FIELD_VALUES
`
`VALUE_SET_DEFINITIONS
`
`INPUT_FIELD_INFO
`
`INPUT_PAGE_INFO
`
`DISPLAY_FIELDS
`
`Z_N0TES
`
`2_ADDB00K
`
`Z_ADDGROUPS
`
`Z_ADDGR0UPS_USERS
`
`C/5
`P
`ft 9
`
`21 o
`
`o o -u
`
`CZ3
`rD
`S-
`•u
`o
`•u
`
`el
`cn
`ON
`oo
`o
`
`O
`W
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 16,2004
`
`Sheet 15 of 42
`
`US 6,820,204 B1
`
`Ol
`LLJ
`LLJ
`O
`
`UJ
`
`<c
`J
`c
`o
`I
`rsi
`
`oi
`
`o
`i—i
`<C
`o
`O
`J
`<c
`o
`I
`rvj
`
`CO
`UJ
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`
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`
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`
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`Q
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`

`

`550
`\
`INITIAL SELECTION SCREEN
`
`HOME
`7
`552
`
`INFO
`MANAGER
`7
`554
`
`CONTACTS/
`ADDRESS
`BOOK
`7
`558
`
`CALENDAR
`7
`560
`
`E-MAIL
`7
`562
`
`FIG. 21
`
`Z-DRIVE
`
`7
`
`564
`
`Z-ROOM
`(CHAT)
`7
`566
`
`SEARCH
`
`7
`
`568
`
`cl
`CZ3
`P
`n
`0
`
`1
`o
`
`o o •u
`
`CZ3
`=r
`n
`
`o\
`o
`-u
`
`el cn
`ON
`oo
`o
`IN>
`o
`-fct W
`
`LOGOUT
`7
`570
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 16,2004
`
`Sheet 17 of 42
`
`US 6,820,204 B1
`
`572
`DISPLAY SPLASH S
`
`574
`
`YES
`
`586
`I
`
`PRESENT USER
`HOME PAGE
`
`ALREADY
`A MEMBER
`?
`
`NO
`
`576
`
`YES
`
`577
`
`TOUR
`
`' REQUEST N
`DESCRIPTION OF
`v
`SYSTEM >
`9
`
`REGISTER
`
`NO
`
`PROCESS
`REGISTRATION
`
`575
`
`PRESENT
`LEGAL INFO
`
`580
`
`582
`
`AGREE
`WITH
`LEGAL
`INFO
`9
`
`NO
`
`PRESENT
`SORRY YOU
`DISAGREED "V 584
`PAGE
`
`DISPLAY SPLASH
`NO ACCESS
`
`588
`
`FIG. 22
`
`

`

`FIG. 23
`
`FIRST NAME
`
`LAST NAME
`
`622
`
`624
`
`E-MAIL ADDRESS
`
`626
`
`Z-KEY
`
`PASSWORD
`
`628
`
`5J(9
`
`CONFIRMATION
`
`5J2
`
`TIME ZONE
`
`634
`
`HOW FIND SYSTEM
`
`636
`
`SUBMIT
`
`638
`
`600
`y
`
`C/5
`TS P
`n
`
`1 o
`
`o\
`
`o o -u
`
`CZ3 =r
`fD S-
`QO
`o
`•u
`
`el cn
`ON
`oo
`K>
`o
`K>
`O
`
`•1^ W
`
`

`

`FIG. 24
`
`704 <
`
`INFO
`EXCHANGER
`
`706
`
`ADDRESS
`BOOK
`
`708
`
`CALENDAR
`
`710
`
`E-MAIL
`
`772
`
`ZROOM —714
`
`ZDRIVE
`
`716
`
`SEARCH
`
`718
`
`ADVERTISING
`7
`702
`
`ADDRESS
`BOOK
`7
`720
`
`WEATHER
`7
`724
`
`726
`
`HOROSCOPE
`
`700
`X
`
`722 Z
`
`CALENDAR
`
`728
`Z
`WEB
`SEARCH
`
`730 Z
`
`STOCKS
`
`tn
`P
`f t
`9
`
`2:
`o
`
`K>
`O o
`-u
`
`CZ3 =r
`rD
`
`o
`-u
`
`cj
`ON
`00
`O
`O
`
`•1^ W
`
`

`

`806
`I
`I
`ENTER/EDIT
`YOUR INFORMATION
`i
`816
`V PRIMARY INFO
`
`PHONE NUMBERS
`818
`
`ADDRESSES
`
`820
`
`HOME INFO
`
`822
`f — WORK INFO
`824
`GIFT PREFERENCES
`826
`
`SCHOOLS
`
`830
`
`HOBBIES
`
`Z
`832
`FAVORITE SITES
`
`834
`
`INFO VIEWS
`
`836
`IJ.
`CREATE AN
`INFO VIEW
`
`840
`X
`ENTER info view
`name & pin
`
`808
`
`1
`EDIT AN
`INFO VIEW
`
`838
`S
`
`Choose Fields
`& Assign Access
`N
`848
`
`Choose Fields
`
`Assign Access
`to Contacts
`
`Review k Save
`
`842
`
`844
`
`846
`
`804
`
`INFO EXCHANGE SYSTEM
`
`CHANGE
`ZKEY
`\
`812
`
`CHANGE
`ZKEY
`PASSWORD
`
`814
`
`810^ INFO VIEW
`REQUESTS
`
`I
`Information
`Requested of
`User Accept
`or Deny
`7
`850
`
`1
`Other's
`Information
`Requested
`by User:
`View Status
`Only
`7
`852
`
`FIG. 25
`
`a
`
`C/5
`
`S3
`
`*
`o
`<
`
`OS
`V*
`o
`o
`
`&•
`ft
`ft
`o
`o
`-u.
`
`CI
`t/J
`o\
`oo
`Ki
`O
`O
`
`fcd
`
`

`

`FIG. 26
`
`810
`-L
`INFO REQUEST
`
`814
`z
`Z
`CHANGE PASSWORD
`
`812
`-£
`CHANGE ZKEY
`
`704 -<
`
`500 X
`
`INFO
`EXCHANGER
`
`706
`
`ADDRESS
`BOOK
`
`708
`
`CALENDAR
`
`710
`
`E-MAIL
`
`712
`
`ZROOM
`
`714
`
`ZCHAT —716
`
`ZDRIVE
`
`718
`
`SEARCH
`
`720
`
`9301 [932
`PRIMARY INFORMATION
`
`930 932
`HOME INFORMATION
`
`[930] [932]
`WORK INFORMATION
`
`930 932
`CELLULAR NUMBER
`
`908
`
`910
`
`916
`
`918
`
`924
`
`[930] [932
`HOBBIES
`
`928
`
`930 932
`PHONE NUMBERS
`
`[9301 [932]
`ADDRESSES
`
`930] \9JT
`GIFT PREFERENCES
`
`930 932
`SCHOOLS
`
`9301 [932
`FAVORITE SITES
`
`912
`
`914
`
`920
`
`922
`
`926
`
`CREATE/EDIT CUSTOM VIEW
`
`808
`
`cd
`C/5
`"O
`P
`0
`
`2: o
`
`o o
`-u
`
`=r
`CZ3
`CD S-
`
`o
`4--.
`
`cn
`o\
`QC
`O
`o
`W
`
`

`

`FIG. 27
`
`704 <
`
`INFO
`EXCHANGER
`
`706
`
`ADDRESS
`BOOK
`
`708
`
`CALENDAR
`
`710
`
`E-MAIL
`
`7/2
`
`ZROOM —7 / 4
`
`ZCHAT
`
`ZDRIVE
`
`SEARCH
`
`7/5
`
`7/5
`
`720
`
`ADVERTISING
`7
`702
`
`NAME
`
`ADDRESS
`
`E-MAIL
`
`950
`
`552
`
`954
`
`555
`1
`SAVE
`
`555
`
`CANCEL
`
`900
`
`C/5
`"O p
`f t
`9
`
`2: o
`
`o o
`-u
`
`CZ3 =r
`n S-
`
`o
`-u
`
`cl
`cn
`ON
`OO
`K>
`o
`O
`
`•1^ W
`
`

`

`FIG. 28
`
`704 <
`
`INFO
`EXCHANGER
`
`706
`
`ADDRESS
`BOOK
`
`708
`
`CALENDAR
`
`710
`
`E-MAIL
`
`ZROOM
`
`7/2
`
`7/4
`
`ZCHAT —775
`
`ZDRIVE
`
`SEARCH
`
`718
`
`720
`
`970
`X
`
`INFORMATION
`OTHER MEMBERS
`REQUESTED
`7
`972
`
`INFORMATION
`MEMBER HAS
`REQUESTED
`
`7
`
`974
`
`C/5
`TS P
`f t
`9
`
`2: o
`
`o o -u
`
`CZ3 =r
`n S-
`
`o
`-u
`
`el
`cn
`o\
`OO
`o
`O
`W
`
`

`

`1402
`
`CONTACTS/ADDRESS BOOK
`I
`
`1404d
`
`View
`Detail
`Record
`
`1406
`X
`
`ADD A
`CONTACT
`
`Remove y1404g
`from
`Contact
`List
`
`7W X
`
`LIST VIEW
`
`View
`By
`Letter
`y
`1404a
`
`View by
`Group
`Selected
`People
`7
`1404b
`
`Email
`Selected
`People
`7
`1404c
`
`Create
`meeting
`
`1410
`
`1408-
`I
`Create
`a Group
`7
`1408a
`
`GROUP
`MANAGER
`
`1
`Delete
`a Group
`\
`1408c
`
`Edit/
`View
`Group
`
`1408b
`
`1406c
`
`1406d
`
`ADD TEMPORARY
`RECORD TO
`ADDRESS BOOK
`
`1406f
`
`NOT A
`Z-MEMBER
`
`ENTER
`FIRST k
`UST NAME
`k EMAIL
`BY PHONE
`
`CREATE
`AUTOMATIC
`EMAIL
`INVITATION
`
`Search
`y
`for
`Z-MEMBER
`1406a
`
`VIEW or
`ADD to
`CONTACT
`LIST
`
`1406b
`
`Save
`Personal
`Notes
`
`7
`
`1404e
`
`Request
`more info
`7
`1404f
`
`FIG. 29
`
`1406e
`
`rj
`C/}
`
`as
`rt>
`0
`
`o
`<
`
`INJ
`o
`o
`4^.
`
`CZ5
`»*
`fD
`
`4^
`o
`4^ K>
`
`cl
`C/3
`
`QC
`Isi o
`o
`4^ bd
`
`

`

`ADD CONTACT
`
`7000
`
`FIG. 30
`
`ZKEY
`
`7102
`
`DON'T KNOW ZKEY
`
`NOT A ZMEMBER
`
`1104
`
`;;;2
`
`rj
`CZ3
`
`P
`n
`0
`
`o
`
`o
`o
`-u
`
`CZ3 =r
`fD
`
`o
`-u
`
`el cn
`ov.
`oo
`ts>
`O
`K>
`O
`•1^
`W
`
`

`

`SEARCH FOR ZKEY
`
`FIRST NAME
`
`1106
`
`LAST NAME
`
`1108
`
`FIG. 31
`
`1112
`
`SELECT FIELD
`
`SEARCH FIELD
`
`1110
`
`C/5
`
`P
`n
`9
`
`2: o
`
`o\
`o o
`-u
`
`CZ3 =r
`fD
`
`o\
`o
`-u
`
`Cl
`cn
`ON
`OO
`K>
`O
`K>
`O
`
`•1^ W
`
`

`

`FIG. 32
`
`1712
`
`GROUP NAME
`
`1704
`
`z
`
`CONTACTS
`IN
`GROUP
`
`ADD GROUP
`
`1700
`
`1702
`
`z
`
`CONTACT
`SELECTION
`LIST
`
`ADD
`
`1706
`
`REMOVE
`
`1708
`
`SAVE
`
`1710
`
`CANCEL
`
`1712
`
`C/5
`
`f t
`9
`
`2: o
`
`o\
`
`o o -u
`
`CZ5 =r
`fD
`JD
`
`-4
`o
`4^
`
`el
`cn
`ON
`OO
`K>
`O
`K>
`O
`
`•1^ W
`
`

`

`FIG. JJ
`
`704 <
`
`INFO
`EXCHANGER
`
`706
`
`ADDRESS
`BOOK
`
`708
`
`CALENDAR
`
`710
`
`E-MAIL
`
`712
`
`ZROOM
`
`714
`
`ZCHAT — 716
`
`ZDRIVE
`
`SEARCH
`
`718
`
`720
`
`1002
`
`z
`
`EDIT/VIEW SELECTED
`
`600
`X
`
`CUSTOM VIEWS
`
`ADVERTISING
`7
`702
`
`CURRENT
`CUSTOM
`VIEWS
`
`1800
`
`1804
`
`z
`
`DELETE SELECTED
`
`1806
`/
`CREATE NEW
`
`C/5
`
`P
`f t
`9
`
`o
`
`o
`o
`•u
`
`CZ3 =r
`n
`
`QC
`O
`-u
`
`el
`cn
`oo
`o
`O
`
`•1^ W
`
`

`

`560 X
`
`CALENDAR
`
`2^-
`
`DAY VIEW
`
`2004
`X. WEEK
`VIEW
`
`2006^ MONTH 2008
`X
`VIEW
`
`GROUP
`CALENDAR
`VIEW
`
`SHARE CALENDAR
`WITH OTHER MEMBERS
`
`CREATE/
`EDIT AN
`TASK
`7
`2012
`
`CREATE/
`EDIT AN
`EVENT
`
`2014
`
`EDIT AN
`EVENT
`N
`2016
`
`INVITE MEMBER
`OR NON-MEMBER
`TO EVENT
`
`7
`
`2018
`
`FIG. 34
`
`C/5
`
`p
`
`0
`
`1
`o
`
`o o •u
`
`=r
`CZ3
`rD
`
`o
`4--.
`
`cn
`ON oo
`o
`K>
`O
`•1^
`W
`
`

`

`FIG. 35
`
`562 X
`
`EMAIL
`
`2 WO X. CREATE/EDIT
`A MESSAGE
`I
`
`2102
`
`f
`SPELL
`CHECK
`
`2106
`
`S
`
`IN-BOX
`
`2118
`
`2120
`
`CREATE
`SUBFOLDERS
`
`GO TO
`ADDRESS
`BOOK
`
`2122
`
`s
`
`SET
`SIGNATURE
`
`SEND
`Z
`2/^
`
`READ A
`MESSAGE
`7
`2108
`
`FORWARD A
`MESSAGE
`7
`2110
`
`»M0VE/C0PY
`A MESSAGE
`7
`2112
`
`DELETE A
`MESSAGE
`7
`2114
`
`REPLY TO
`A MESSAGE
`7
`2116
`
`rl
`CZ3
`
`p
`ft
`9
`
`1 o
`
`o\
`o
`o
`-u
`
`CZ3 =r
`
`rD
`
`o
`o
`-u
`
`el cn
`0\
`oo
`O
`
`O
`•1^
`W
`
`

`

`FIG. 36
`
`Z-DR1VE
`
`564
`
`UPLOAD
`A FILE
`
`2202
`
`CREATE/ADD/
`DELETE A
`FOLDER
`7
`2204
`
`DOWNLOAD
`A FILE
`7
`2206
`
`VIEW FILES
`SHARED FROM
`OTHER MEMBERS
`7
`2208
`
`RENAME
`
`FILE 7
`
`2210
`
`COPY A
`FILE TO
`ANOTHER
`FOLDER
`7
`2212
`
`MOVE A
`FILE TO
`ANOTHER
`FOLDER
`7
`2214
`
`DELETE
`A FILE
`7
`2216
`
`SHARED A
`FILE WITH
`AMOTHER
`Z-MEMBER
`7
`2218
`
`566
`
`CHAT
`
`FIG. 37
`
`CREATE
`ACCESS
`LIST TO
`YOUR ROOM
`7
`2400
`
`POST
`MESSAGE
`7
`2402
`
`GO TO
`ANOTHER
`Z-ROOM
`(must have
`access)
`7
`2404
`
`CLEAR
`SCREEN
`
`7
`2406
`
`RECORD
`CHAT
`SCRIPT
`
`7
`2408
`
`VIEW ROOM
`PARTICIPANTS
`
`7
`
`2410
`
`a
`CZ3
`
`P
`ft 0
`
`1
`o
`
`o
`o
`-u
`
`CZ3
`CD S-
`
`o
`-u
`
`el
`
`CA3
`ON
`oo
`o
`o
`W
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 16,2004
`
`Sheet 32 of 42
`
`US 6,820,204 B1
`
`FIG. 38
`
`2500
`
`SEARCH FOR
`A Z-MEMBER'S
`ZKEY
`
`2506
`
`SEARCH
`INTERNET
`
`SEARCH BY (FIRST
`NAME OR LAST NAME)
`AND (HOME EMAIL,WORK
`EMAIL OR HOME PHONE)
`7
`2502
`
`FOUND
`i
`DISPLAYS
`DETAIL
`2504
`\ RECORD
`(see
`address
`book)
`
`EJ
`
`Identify new member to be
`granted instant access
`
`4102
`/"
`
`Allow user to enter
`code for instant access
`
`4104
`
`Store user identification code, instant
`access code and view ID in RDBMS
`
`FIG. 40
`
`Transmit instant access code
`to selected non-members
`
`4108
`
`For all selected members, system
`offers to add user to member's
`contact list
`
`4110
`y
`
`0
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 16,2004
`
`Sheet 33 of 42
`
`US 6,820,204 B1
`
`FIG. 39
`
`User accesses information
`view creation module
`
`User selects new view name
`
`User selects fields to
`include in view
`
`System generates view ID
`
`4002
`
`4004
`
`4006
`
`4008
`
`Store field selections, view name y-4010
`and view ID in RDBMS
`
`4012
`
`/ Create
`instant access NYES
`code x
`9
`
`m
`
`NO
`
`Select member(s) to
`be granted access
`
`4014
`
`Store selected member identification codefs),
`user identification code, and view ID in RDBMS
`
`4016
`
`Send message to members informing
`them of view access membership
`
`4020
`
`For all selected members, system offers to y
`4022
`add user to each member's contact list
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 16,2004
`
`Sheet 34 of 42
`
`US 6,820,204 B1
`
`User views contact /'4202
`list view screen
`
`Select a member contact
`
`4204
`
`Display all available views
`for selected contact
`
`4206
`
`4208
`Select a view from the view list f
`
`Request access to
`selected view
`
`4214
`
`4210
`
`Has
`/ user been x
`granted access to
`selected view for
`the selected
`X member >
`9
`
`YES
`
`Display information
`contained is selected view
`
`4212
`
`NO
`
`Does
`user desire to
`request access to
`v selected view y
`9
`
`NO
`
`4216
`
`YES
`
`Place request for
`access to selected
`view
`7
`4218
`
`FIG. 41
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 16,2004
`
`Sheet 35 of 42
`
`US 6,820,204 B1
`
`FIG. 42
`
`User receives message that they have been
`granted access to a view with an instant
`access code
`
`4302
`y
`
`4306
`
`New member
`sign up
`
`NO
`
`4304
`
`Is
`user a
`member
`9
`
`YES
`User selects view y4308
`from contact list
`
`User prompted for
`instant access code
`
`4310
`
`4312
`
`s/ Doesx/
`NO
`user have
`instant access^^
`?
`
`4314
`l
`Obtain instant
`access code
`
`YES
`User enters instant
`access code
`
`4316
`
`Look up selected member identification
`code, view identification code
`and instant access code in ROBMS
`
`4318 X
`
`4320
`
`NO
`
`Does entered
`access code match stored
`instant access code ^
`
`YES
`Display information view
`
`4322
`
`Store user identification code, member
`identification code, and view
`ID for continued access to view
`
`4324
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 16,2004
`
`Sheet 36 of 42
`
`US 6,820,204 B1
`
`FIG. 43
`
`User accesses user's y^02
`ZDR1VE module
`
`User selects new upload
`
`4404
`
`4406
`User uploads file to ZDRIVE ^
`
`4408
`System generates file ID •/"
`
`Store user identification code, and file
`identification code in RDBMS with link to file
`
`4410
`X
`
`4412
`
`X Create
`instant access X YES
`code
`
`NO
`
`4414-^ se|ect member(s) to
`be granted access
`
`m
`
`Store selected member identification code(s) y~4416
`user identification code, and file ID in RDBMS
`
`Provide user with option of sending a message
`to the selected members, in order to notify them
`that they now have access to the newly uploaded file
`
`4420
`
`For all selected members,
`systems offer to add user
`to each member's contact list
`
`4422
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 16,2004
`
`Sheet 37 of 42
`
`US 6,820,204 B1
`
`FIG. 44
`
`24
`
`Identify members and non-members
`to be granted instant access
`
`4502
`S
`
`Allow user to enter code
`for instant access
`
`4504
`
`Store user identification code, instant y4506
`access code and file ID in RDBMS
`
`4508
`Transmit instant access code to
`selected members and non-members /*
`
`For all selected members, add
`user to each member's contact list
`
`4510
`
`4602
`
`User views contact list view screen
`
`Select a member contact
`
`4604
`
`Dislplay list of all available files to which user
`has been granted access for selected contact
`
`4606
`
`FIG. 45
`
`Select a file from the file list
`
`4608
`
`Display or download selected file
`1^4612
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 16,2004
`
`Sheet 38 of 42
`
`US 6,820,204 B1
`
`User receives message that they have been
`granted access to a file with an instant access
`code or through the user's identification code
`
`4702
`
`4706
`
`New member
`sign up
`
`4704
`
`NO
`
`user a
`member
`7
`
`YES
`
`4708
`User selects file from available list /~
`
`4709
`
`Is user
`a member who has been granted
`access to the file
`
`YES
`
`NO
`User prompted for instant access code
`
`4710
`
`User enters instant access code
`
`4712
`
`47U
`Look up selected member identification code, /~
`file ID and instant access code in RDBMS
`
`4716
`
`NO
`
`/ S
`
`Does
`entered
`instant access code match
`\stored instant access^
`code
`?
`
`Xv
`
`FIG. 46
`
`YES
`Display of download file
`
`4718
`
`If member user, store user identification
`code, member identification code, and
`file ID for continued access to file
`
`4720 y
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 16,2004
`
`Sheet 39 of 42
`
`US 6,820,204 B1
`
`User accesses user's
`chat module
`
`4802
`
`User selects new chat event
`
`4804
`
`User selects time and date for chat event
`
`4806
`
`4808
`System generates chat ID ^
`
`Store user ID and chat ID in
`RDBMS with time and event date
`
`4810
`
`4812
`
`/ Create N.
`
`instant access \ YES QT)
`
`code
`o
`
`NO
`
`Select member(s) to be
`granted entry to chat event
`
`4814
`
`Store selected member identification code(s) user y 4816
`identification code, and chat ID in RDBMS
`
`Send message to members informing ^4820
`them of invitation to chat event
`
`For all selected members, system offers to
`add user to each member's contact list
`
`4822
`
`FIG. 47
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 16,2004
`
`Sheet 40 of 42
`
`US 6,820,204 B1
`
`28
`
`Identify members and non-member ^4902
`to be granted instant access
`
`4904
`Allow user to enter code for instant access ^
`
`Store user identification code, instant
`access code and chat ID in RDBMS
`
`4906
`
`Provide option of transmitting ^4908
`instant access code
`
`For all selected members, add user y^910
`to each members contact list
`
`FIG. 48
`
`5002
`A
`User views chat event list screen
`to which user has been granted access
`
`Select a chat event ^5004
`
`FIG. 49
`
`5012-
`
`Enter user into chat event
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 16,2004
`
`Sheet 41 of 42
`
`US 6,820,204 B1
`
`FIG. 50
`
`User receives message that they have been invited
`to a chat event at selected date and time
`
`5102
`
`S
`
`5106
`S.
`New member
`sign up
`
`5104
`
`NO
`
`Is
`user a
`member
`o
`
`YES
`User selects chat event from
`chat event list
`
`5108
`
`/*
`
`5110
`
`/Has userX
`YES / a|ready been
`——/ granted access
`to the chat
`event
`
`NO
`User prompted for instant access code
`
`5112
`
`User enters instant access code
`
`Look up selected member
`identification code, chat I[> and
`instant access code in RDBMS
`
`5114
`
`5116
`
`5118
`
`^^Does entered
`instant access code match
`stored instant access code,
`
`NO
`
`YES
`Enter user into chat event
`
`5120
`
`If member user, store user identification code, member
`identification code and chat ID for continued access to file
`
`5122 U
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 16,2004
`
`Sheet 42 of 42
`
`US 6,820,204 B1
`
`For each screen
`navigated
`
`5202
`
`Read actual date and time /-5204
`from calendar display
`
`Search for ad triggers in
`RDBMS according to date,
`time, geographic region,
`and profile information
`
`5206
`
`520S
`
`Is ad \ NO
`triggered
`9
`
`YES
`
`Display generic or random ad
`in screen ad region
`7
`5210
`
`Display triggered
`add in ad region
`
`5212
`
`FIG. 51
`
`

`

`1
`SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SELECTIVE
`INFORMATION EXCHANGE
`
`CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED
`
`APPLICATION
`
`This application claims the benefit, pursuant to 35 U.S.C.
`
`§ 119(e), of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/127,114,
`
`filed Mar. 31, 1999, which application is specifically incor­
`
`porated herein, in its entirety, by reference.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`1. Field of the Invention
`
`The present invention relates to systems and methods for
`
`storing, accessing and exchanging information, and in par­
`
`ticular to a system and method for providing users with
`
`granular control over arbitrary information that allows for
`
`selective, real-time information sharing in a communica­
`
`tions network such as the Internet.
`
`2. Description of Related Art
`
`US 6,820,204 B1
`
`2
`
`synchronization, and thus obsolete, as information such as
`telephone numbers and addresses change.
`
`The tasks of managing, protecting and updating informa­
`tion has grown increasingly burdensome, especially in cases
`5 where the information is accessed by a plurality of applica­
`tions and systems and the stored information is copied to
`many databases located in different locations. For example,
`
`an individual may provide personal address information to
`
`hundreds of recipients, such as creditors, subscription, deliv­
`
`ery and repair services, friends, family, business associates,
`
`etc. Each of these recipients may then store this personal
`
`address information in their own databases, such as address
`
`books and customer lists. If this personal address informa­
`
`tion changes (e.g., when the individual changes residence),
`
`15 updating the information requires the individual to transmit
`
`a copy of the new information to every individual, business
`
`and organization that has a copy of the personal address
`
`information. Each recipient must then update each of its
`
`databases that have this personal address information. Infor-
`20 mation such as telephone numbers, home addresses, e-mail
`addresses and credit card numbers change frequently, mak­
`
`Information exchange is a common facet of everyday life.
`
`ing the process of synchronizing information extremely time
`
`For many years, individuals have manually distributed their
`
`consuming, burdensome and prone to error. The accuracy
`
`personal information, such as by passing out business cards,
`
`and timeliness of this information is important for business
`filling
`out forms, surveys and warranty cards with their 2- communications, interpersonal communications, purchases
`names and addresses, providing career and educational
`
`and various other purposes. Thus, there exists a need in the
`
`information on their resumes and reciting their credit card
`
`numbers over the telephone while making purchases. In
`
`art for information exchange that is simple, efficient, timely,
`and is not error-prone.
`
`Certain modern applications provide electronic solutions
`addition, individuals have manually collected the personal
`information of others, such as by collecting business cards, 30 (Q Some of these problems by synchronizing data in limited
`maintaining an address book or Rolodex™ and storing
`
`contexts. For example, personal digital assistants ("PDAs")
`
`telephone books and catalogs. As the amount of exchanged
`
`information has grown, the drawbacks and limitations of
`
`are handheld devices that include an internal memory for
`
`storing a copy of the user's personal calendar, address and
`
`manual information exchange have become more glaring—
`
`e-mail information. Another copy of the information is
`i.e., manual information exchange is disorganized, error- 3- typically stored on a personal computer through applications
`prone, repetitive and time-consuming.
`_
`-
`-
`In the last decade the amount of exchanged information
`
`such as Microsoft Outlook™ and CorelCENTRAL™. When
`
`the user adds or updates stored information on either the
`
`has exploded, in large part due to the widespread use of
`
`personal computer or the PDA, the stored information on the
`
`computer systems and other electronic devices. Many indi­
`other system will be temporarily out of date. A typical PDA
`viduals now have several home and work telephone numbers 40 includes a cradle that may be connected to the personal
`(used for different purposes such as fax or modem access,
`
`computer to provide a communications link between the two
`
`pagers, and mobile communication), web site addresses,
`
`systems. When the PDA is inserted into the cradle, the user
`
`electronic mail ("e-mail") addresses, electronic bank
`
`can press a button on the PDA to synchronize the stored
`
`account numbers, and a variety of other personal identifi­
`
`information in the two devices. While this solution is
`cation information. This information is typically stored 45 adequate for some personal information, it is characterized
`electronically in databases tied to applications such as
`
`with much of