Disconnected Investigation System for Unreliable Network Environments
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional client-server database systems are inadequate for users who need to perform analyses and updates in locations with unreliable or non-existent network connections, as they require continuous network access to function effectively.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that enable disconnected investigations using a stand-alone computer application, allowing users to conduct analyses and incorporate updates into a shared data repository without network connectivity, using .base files for initial data sets and .dsco files for results, with a revisioning database system to track changes and synchronize data periodically.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional client-server database system is used, then data consistency and centralized control are maintained, but users cannot perform analyses or updates in locations with unreliable or non-existent network connections
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the centralized database functionality into distributed components. Each user receives a local copy of the database (segmented data sets) that can operate independently without network connection, while still maintaining the ability to synchronize with the central database when connected. This segmentation enables disconnected operation while preserving data consistency through periodic synchronization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary synchronization mechanism that mediates between the central database and distributed local copies. This intermediary process handles data reconciliation, conflict resolution, and consistency maintenance, allowing users to operate disconnected while ensuring data integrity is preserved when connections are restored.
2Ease of operation
If users perform disconnected investigations with local data copies, then network availability is not required, but data consistency with the central repository may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements a feedback mechanism through periodic synchronization between local data copies and the central database. When users reconnect, the system detects changes made during disconnected periods and provides feedback for reconciliation. This feedback loop ensures that data consistency is restored while allowing uninterrupted local operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs preliminary actions by creating local copies of database data before disconnection occurs. These pre-prepared data sets include necessary indexes and structures to enable immediate local operations without requiring network access, thus facilitating ease of operation while maintaining the capability to restore consistency later.
3Productivity
If multiple users work with local data copies simultaneously, then disconnected operation is enabled, but conflicts arise when synchronizing updates back to the central database
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses parameter changes in the form of version identifiers, timestamps, and change vectors to track modifications made by different users during disconnected periods. These parameters enable automatic detection of conflicts and facilitate streamlined resolution processes, allowing multiple users to work in parallel while managing synchronization complexity through structured parameter comparison and conflict detection algorithms.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method enable an information analyst to use a stand-alone computer-based investigation application to conduct a disconnected investigation on shared database data in a remote location where network access to a shared data repository of the system might be only periodically available, unreliable, or non-existent. In addition, the system and method enable the disconnected investigation to incrementally incorporate ongoing updates made to the shared repository of data, and to periodically publish interim or final results of the disconnected investigation to the shared data repository. A disconnected investigation can be conducted entirely at the disconnected investigation location without having any network connectivity to the shared repository of data.