File Synchronization via Change Event Aggregation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Managing and synchronizing electronically stored files across multiple computers and devices is challenging due to simultaneous access and changes by different users, leading to difficulties in maintaining the current version of files.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a system with Local and Cloud WATCHERS that monitor changes to file systems, generating work items for concurrent processing, and automatically sharing and synchronizing files across devices through a SyncCLIENT, ensuring that changes are reflected and updated across all connected systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If files are stored on multiple computers and devices for accessibility, then file access convenience is improved, but file version tracking and synchronization difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a file server as an intermediary component that mediates between multiple client computers and the central file storage. The file server maintains version information, tracks file changes, and coordinates synchronization across all devices. This intermediary absorbs the complexity of version tracking and synchronization, allowing users to access files conveniently from multiple devices without directly managing the complexity of file version control.
2Productivity
If multiple users can simultaneously access and modify files, then collaboration efficiency is improved, but file synchronization reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the file server continuously monitors file access and modification events across all client devices. When a user modifies a file, the system generates synchronization events that are communicated to other users with access rights. The system provides feedback about file change status, version information, and synchronization progress, enabling users to understand the current state of shared files and resolve conflicts appropriately.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-establishing version control mechanisms and synchronization protocols before conflicts occur. The file server maintains version histories and prepares synchronization plans in advance, so when multiple users attempt to modify the same file, the system can automatically or manually resolve conflicts based on pre-configured rules, rather than dealing with chaos after the fact.
3Ease of operation
If automatic synchronization is implemented across all devices, then file availability is improved, but system resource consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic synchronization rather than continuous real-time synchronization. The file server and client devices check for changes at scheduled intervals and perform synchronization only when necessary. This periodic approach maintains file availability across devices while significantly reducing network traffic, processing requirements, and energy consumption compared to continuous synchronization, especially when no file changes have occurred.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of sharing and synchronizing a plurality of electronically stored resources between a cloud file system and a client file system is provided. The method includes receiving one or more change events wherein each change event indicates an independent change to one or more electronically stored files in a first client file system, holding the received change events for a period of time, and determining whether any of the held change events are combinable with other held change events indicating one or more independent changes to one or more electronically stored files in one or more client file systems comprising the first client file system. The method further includes combining the combinable change events into an aggregate change event, and dispatching the aggregate change event for processing after it is held for a predetermined period of time, wherein the processing of the dispatched change event effects a synchronization of the one or more electronically stored files between the one or more client file systems and a cloud file system.