Conflict Detection in Data Synchronization via Timestamps

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Solution Overview

Problem

Data synchronization in enterprise systems faces challenges with data inconsistency and integrity issues due to simultaneous modifications by multiple users, especially when accessing or modifying documents offline.

Innovation Solution

A synchronization system that detects and resolves conflicts by comparing timestamps and processing change requests, prioritizing uploads, and involving super users to manage conflicts through a conflict interface, ensuring data integrity and consistency across multiple user devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If multiple users independently access and modify documents offline, then user productivity and access flexibility are improved, but data inconsistency and synchronization conflicts occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser productivityVSAvoiddata consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by capturing change requests and storing them with timestamps before synchronization conflicts occur. Change requests are queued and prepared for processing, allowing the system to detect and resolve conflicts before they manifest as data inconsistency issues.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The synchronization system implements feedback mechanisms by continuously monitoring change requests, detecting conflicts through timestamp comparisons, and notifying super users of resolution needs. This feedback loop ensures data consistency is maintained through active monitoring and resolution of synchronization issues.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Productivity

If simultaneous modifications by multiple users are allowed, then collaboration efficiency is improved, but data integrity issues arise

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecollaboration efficiencyVSAvoiddata integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The synchronization system acts as an intermediary between multiple users and the master document. It receives change requests from various users, processes them through conflict detection and resolution mechanisms, and applies resolved changes to the master document, thereby preventing data integrity issues while allowing simultaneous collaborative work.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-service conflict resolution by automatically detecting conflicts through timestamp comparisons and notifying super users of resolution needs. The automated detection and notification mechanisms reduce manual intervention requirements while maintaining data integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If conflict detection and resolution mechanisms are implemented, then data consistency is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata consistencyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The synchronization system segments the conflict detection and resolution process into distinct functional components: change request capture, timestamp-based conflict detection, super user notification, and resolution application. This segmentation manages system complexity by organizing functions into manageable, independent modules.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses timestamp parameters as a simple, effective mechanism for conflict detection. By comparing timestamps of change requests and master document versions, the system achieves reliable conflict detection without requiring complex algorithms, thereby managing system complexity while ensuring data consistency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Measurement precision

If timestamps are used for conflict detection, then conflict identification accuracy is improved, but processing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconflict identification accuracyVSAvoidprocessing time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses lightweight timestamp objects for conflict detection instead of complex version control data structures. Timestamps are simple, disposable parameters that can be quickly compared and discarded after conflict detection, minimizing processing time while maintaining high conflict identification accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Data Source

PatentUS10489378B2Detection and resolution of conflicts in data synchronization

Publication Date: 2019.11.26 SAP SE

AI summary

Disclosed herein are system, method, and computer program product embodiments for the detection and resolution of conflicts in data synchronization. An embodiment operates by receiving an upload from a user device of one or more changes to a local copy of a master document. A conflict is identified between the one or more uploaded changes and one or more previous changes to the master document. A super user is notified of the conflict. A resolution of the conflict is received. The resolution to resolve the conflict is applied.