Browser Cache Synchronization Across Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inconsistent browser caches across multiple devices lead to discrepancies in available applications, document versions, and media libraries, causing differences in the computing environment, as existing technologies do not synchronize browser caches effectively.
Innovation Solution
A system that monitors browser cache changes and synchronizes them across devices using a browser cache monitoring component and a synchronizing component, which detects alterations and updates data objects in one cache to ensure consistency across all connected computers, including the use of a synchronization programmatic interface for applications to interact with the synchronization process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If browser caches are used to store data objects for offline access and performance improvement, then browsing speed and offline capability are improved, but consistency and synchronization across multiple devices deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the browser cache synchronization component continuously monitors the browser cache for changes, detects modifications to data objects, and triggers synchronization operations. This feedback loop ensures that cache contents are kept consistent across devices by automatically responding to changes, thus maintaining reliability while preserving the performance benefits of local caching.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a browser cache synchronization component as an intermediary between the browser cache and remote storage. This intermediary component manages the synchronization process by monitoring cache changes, determining what needs to be synchronized, and coordinating updates across devices. It acts as a mediator that resolves the conflict between local cache autonomy and remote consistency requirements.
2Reliability
If browser caches are synchronized across multiple devices, then cache consistency is improved, but system complexity and resource consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the browser cache synchronization component as part of the existing browser architecture, allowing it to perform multiple functions: monitoring cache changes, determining synchronization needs, and coordinating updates. By making this component multi-functional and part of the universal browser system rather than a separate dedicated system, the patent reduces overall device complexity while maintaining cache consistency across devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The browser cache synchronization component operates autonomously by automatically monitoring its own cache for changes and initiating synchronization operations without requiring external intervention. This self-service approach reduces the need for additional complex synchronization management systems, as the component manages itself and maintains consistency independently.
3Adaptability or versatility
If browser caches store expanding sets of significant data objects including applications and documents, then offline capability and functionality are improved, but divergence and version conflicts across devices worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by proactively synchronizing browser cache contents across devices before divergence occurs. The synchronization component continuously monitors for changes and initiates synchronization operations promptly when modifications are detected, preventing version conflicts from developing. This preliminary synchronization approach ensures that all devices have consistent access to applications, documents, and other data objects before inconsistencies can arise.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer user may use a computing environment comprising a set of computers that respectively feature a web browser having a browser cache containing many types of data objects, including application resources and user-generated data files. However, the contents of a browser cache significantly contribute to the computing environment of a computer, and the computing environments presented by each computer may diverge, providing an inconsistent computing environment. Instead, the contents of browser caches of the computers comprising the computing environment may be synchronized across computers. Additionally, the browser cache may be synchronized with the other data objects of a computing environment (such as relevant portions of the filesystem); the synchronizing may be implemented as an out-of-browser process executing independently of the applications, and even when the browser is not executing; and the synchronization may be exposed through a programmatic access with which web applications may interact.