Contact and Calendar Record Distribution via Directive-Based Synchronization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing contact and calendar management systems lack efficient methods for distributing and synchronizing records across multiple devices, leading to outdated information and user interaction requirements for record management.

Innovation Solution

A contact management system that utilizes an information management module to autonomously distribute and synchronize contact and calendar records across devices based on directives, ensuring current information is maintained on all devices, with options for automated and user-driven distribution, and incorporating features like geographic and statistical reordering.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If contact and calendar records are manually managed on each device, then users have full control over their records, but the information becomes outdated and requires user interaction for updates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata currencyVSAvoiduser interaction requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables automatic synchronization of contact and calendar records across devices without requiring user intervention. The information management module autonomously distributes updated records to connected devices, allowing the system to self-maintain data currency while eliminating the need for manual user actions to keep records current.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements a feedback mechanism where devices report their current record states to the information management module, which then determines what updates are needed. This automatic feedback loop ensures data consistency across devices by continuously monitoring and synchronizing records without requiring user interaction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Adaptability or versatility

If contact and calendar records are distributed to multiple devices, then accessibility is improved, but data consistency and currency become difficult to maintain

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice accessibilityVSAvoiddata consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The information management module serves as a universal central repository that manages contact and calendar records for multiple devices simultaneously. It performs multiple functions including storing master copies of records, determining distribution targets based on directives, and coordinating synchronization across all connected devices, thereby maintaining data consistency while enabling broad accessibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The information management module acts as an intermediary between the master record storage and multiple user devices. It receives update notifications, determines which devices need synchronization based on stored directives, and coordinates the distribution of updated records, thereby maintaining data consistency across the distributed system without requiring direct peer-to-peer communication between devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Extent of automation

If automated distribution is implemented, then user interaction is reduced, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedistribution automationVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring distribution directives that specify which devices should receive which types of records. When updates occur, the information management module simply follows these pre-established rules to automatically distribute records to the appropriate devices, reducing the need for complex real-time decision-making logic while maintaining high automation levels.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Reliability

If records are synchronized across all devices, then data currency is maintained, but network bandwidth and storage requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation currencyVSAvoiddata transmission volume
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies local quality by distributing different types of contact and calendar records to different devices based on specific directives. Instead of uniformly synchronizing all records to all devices, the information management module selectively distributes only the relevant records to each device, thereby maintaining data currency where needed while reducing overall data transmission volume and storage requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS8473457B2Method of distributing contact and calendar records
Publication Date: 2013.06.25 CHARTOLEAUX KG LLC
  • US8473457B2 patent drawing
  • US8473457B2 patent drawing
  • US8473457B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A method of distributing contact and calendar information in a multi-component environment includes maintaining a plurality of contact or calendar records and the records contain a plurality of fields and directives. The records are designated and distributed to at least one component based on the directives.