Distributed Hierarchical Repository for Mobile Device Information
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for storing and accessing information about mobile devices lack accuracy and completeness, particularly for new devices, leading to challenges in ensuring applications and services function properly across diverse devices and configurations.
Innovation Solution
A hierarchical and distributed data repository system that allows multiple entities to contribute and control information, enabling precise access to device capabilities and properties, with nodes tagged for source information and configurable access parameters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a centralized repository is used to store device information, then information access is simplified, but information accuracy and completeness deteriorate due to lag in capturing new device deployments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the centralized repository into a distributed network of multiple repository servers located at different entities (manufacturers, service providers, independent repositories). Each server maintains local device information independently, eliminating the single-point lag problem while preserving collective accessibility through the distributed network architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
Device information is collected and stored at the source (manufacturers, service providers) before deployment occurs. This preliminary action at multiple distributed locations ensures information is ready and accurate when needed, rather than waiting for centralized collection after deployment.
2Loss of information
If device information is collected from multiple sources, then information completeness improves, but system complexity increases due to multiple repositories and access coordination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal query interface that works across all repository types (manufacturers, service providers, independent repositories). This multi-functional access layer handles diverse information sources through a single standardized mechanism, preventing complexity multiplication while maintaining information completeness from multiple sources.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary query mechanism that mediates between users and multiple distributed repositories. This intermediary layer translates user requests into appropriate repository queries and aggregates results, hiding the underlying complexity of multiple sources while delivering complete information.
3Loss of information
If device information is inferred on the device or channel by the repository owner, then information availability improves, but accuracy deteriorates due to inference errors
Solution Approach 1:
Device manufacturers and service providers maintain their own repository servers with authoritative device information. This self-service approach at the source ensures information accuracy by eliminating third-party inference, while the distributed network ensures information availability across the system.
Data Source
AI summary
Information, such as information relating to the configuration and capabilities of mobile devices, can be stored in, and accessed from, a distributed, hierarchical repository system. The repository can be based on a tree structure including a plurality of levels of nodes, wherein each level corresponds to a type or source of information. The nodes also can be distributed among various entities providing the information for that node, whereby entities can retain some level of access control over the information in that node. A party requesting information then can receive information from the distributed repository based on the access conditions for that user or party, which may grant them access to information in various nodes or levels, and/or information provided by certain entities.