File Sync via Change Tracking Modules

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current file synchronization methods are inefficient as they require scanning the entire file for differences each time, wasting time and processing power.

Innovation Solution

An apparatus and method for synchronizing files by tracking data change information, including location and length of changes, to efficiently copy changes from an origin file to a target file, using modules for origin and target tracking, synchronization detection, and data queuing to manage changes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the entire file is scanned for differences each time synchronization is needed, then the synchronization accuracy is ensured, but the time consumption and processing power increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesynchronization accuracyVSAvoidsynchronization time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by creating snapshots of the file at specific points in time and tracking the metadata (location and length) of data changes as they occur. This preliminary tracking of change information eliminates the need for full file scans during synchronization, as the system already has the exact locations and extents of changes identified in advance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system extracts only the essential change information (location and length metadata) from the file changes, separating this tracking data from the actual file content. This extracted change information is then used to identify and copy only the specific modified portions during synchronization, rather than scanning or copying the entire file.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Measurement precision

If the entire file is scanned for differences each time synchronization is needed, then the complete file differences are identified, but the processing power is wasted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedifference detection accuracyVSAvoidprocessing power
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system extracts only the essential change information (location and length metadata) from the file changes, separating this tracking data from the actual file content. This extracted change information is then used to identify and copy only the specific modified portions during synchronization, rather than scanning or copying the entire file.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs partial action by tracking and copying only the specific portions of the file that have changed, rather than performing excessive action of scanning and processing the entire file. The snapshot and change tracking mechanisms enable this partial approach by providing precise information about which file portions require synchronization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Productivity

If data changes are tracked with location and length information, then the synchronization efficiency is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesynchronization efficiencyVSAvoidtracking system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system creates copies of the file state in the form of snapshots at specific points in time. These snapshots serve as reference copies that allow the system to track and identify changes by comparing against the snapshot version, enabling efficient change detection without requiring complex real-time analysis of the entire file.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary actions by creating snapshots of the file at specific points in time and tracking the metadata (location and length) of data changes as they occur. This preliminary tracking of change information eliminates the need for full file scans during synchronization, as the system already has the exact locations and extents of changes identified in advance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Measurement precision

If snapshots are created to track data changes, then the accuracy of change identification is improved, but the storage requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechange tracking accuracyVSAvoidstorage space
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system extracts only the essential change information (location and length metadata) from the file changes, separating this tracking data from the actual file content. This extracted change information is then used to identify and copy only the specific modified portions during synchronization, rather than scanning or copying the entire file.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS10922283B2File synchronization
Publication Date: 2021.02.16 RACKWARE INC
  • US10922283B2 patent drawing
  • US10922283B2 patent drawing
  • US10922283B2 patent drawing

AI summary

Apparatuses, methods, systems, and program products are disclosed for file synchronization. An apparatus includes an origin tracking module that tracks data change information for each of at least one data change in an origin file stored on an origin device. The data change information includes a location of the data change in the origin file and a length of the data change. An apparatus includes a synchronization detecting module that detects a synchronization event associated with the origin file. An apparatus includes a synchronizing module that copies the data of the origin file for each of the at least one data change in the origin file at the tracked location and length to a target file stored on a target device.