Continuous PIM Sync via Push Architecture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless handheld devices typically implement periodic synchronization of personal information management (PIM) applications with desktop computers, lacking continuous synchronization capabilities to update information in real-time across devices.
Innovation Solution
A push-based wireless transport architecture is employed to enable continuous synchronization of PIM applications between a host desktop computer and a client wireless handheld device, where changes are automatically pushed across devices, utilizing a system with a desktop PIM database, a handheld PIM database, and a mirror database to ensure immediate updates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If periodic pull-based synchronization is used, then energy consumption is reduced and device complexity is lowered, but data consistency and update timeliness deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional pull-based synchronization model by implementing a push-based model where the handheld device initiates synchronization by pushing data to the desktop computer. This is achieved through the notification database that stores change notifications and triggers automatic data transfer, eliminating the need for periodic polling and achieving real-time synchronization with reduced system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The notification database serves as an intermediary component between the PIM application and the synchronization system. It captures change notifications, manages their state, and coordinates data transfer, thereby simplifying the overall synchronization architecture while ensuring reliable real-time data consistency across devices
2Reliability
If continuous synchronization is implemented, then data consistency is improved, but energy consumption and network usage increase
Solution Approach 1:
While implementing continuous synchronization capability, the system uses periodic action by only initiating data transfer when changes are detected. The synchronization occurs periodically in response to specific events (data changes) rather than continuously running, thereby maintaining real-time data consistency while conserving energy and reducing unnecessary network usage
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements self-service by automatically detecting data changes through the notification database and triggering synchronization only when necessary. This event-driven approach eliminates the need for continuous monitoring and manual intervention, achieving real-time data consistency while minimizing energy consumption and network resource usage
3Loss of time
If pull-based periodic synchronization is used, then system complexity is reduced, but synchronization timeliness and user experience deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional synchronization initiation model by making the handheld device the active party that pushes data changes to the desktop computer. This reversal eliminates synchronization delays inherent in periodic pull-based systems, achieving real-time data consistency while maintaining manageable system complexity through the notification database architecture
Data Source
AI summary
A wireless handheld device operable to continuously synchronize PIM information with a host desktop computer. The device comprises a software module for updating a handheld PIM database to reflect a change to PIM information, a software module for updating a handheld mirror database to reflect the change to PIM information, a software module for generating a PIM message relating to the change to the PIM information, a software module for translating the PIM message from a handheld data format into a network data format and a software module for sending the PIM message from the client wireless handheld device to the host desktop computer via a wireless network.