Database Synchronization via Hash-Based Partial Data Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional data synchronization over wireless communication channels is bandwidth consumptive, leading to prolonged communication times and increased costs, especially when transferring many records.
Innovation Solution
The method involves using a synchronization server and portable electronic device that employ hash functions to identify and transfer only the necessary data records, with partial content data records being updated by transmitting key fields to reduce memory usage and bandwidth requirements, and prioritizing full content data record transfers based on availability and access frequency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional data synchronization methods are used over wireless communication channels, then data can be transferred between portable electronic devices and computing stations, but bandwidth consumption increases and transfer time becomes extensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and transfers only the essential elements of data records (hash values, key fields, synchronization indicators) rather than complete records. This selective extraction reduces the volume of data transmitted over the wireless channel while maintaining synchronization capability between databases.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments data records into distinct components: hash values for identification, key fields for essential information, and synchronization indicators for change detection. This segmentation allows the system to transmit only necessary segments, reducing overall bandwidth consumption while maintaining data integrity.
2Reliability
If many data records are transferred during synchronization, then databases can be kept synchronized, but communication channel occupation time increases and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary actions by calculating hash values and identifying changed records before the actual synchronization transfer. This preliminary identification allows the system to prepare a minimal set of data that needs to be transmitted, reducing the time required for the actual synchronization process while ensuring accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where hash values and synchronization indicators are used to detect changes and determine what data needs to be transferred. This feedback loop enables the system to adapt the synchronization process to actual data changes, avoiding unnecessary transfers and reducing synchronization time.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of synchronizing at least one database including first data records of a portable electronic device with at least one other database including second data records. The method includes receiving information representative of the first data records and comparing the information representative of the first data records with information representative of the second data records to determine if changes made to either the first data records or the second data records are not reflected in the other of the first and second data records. If changes made to the second data records are not reflected in the first data records, only partial content of ones of changed second data records is transmitted to the portable electronic device. The partial content includes key fields of data sufficient to uniquely identify the ones of the changed second data records in which the key fields of data are contained. After transmitting only partial content of the ones of changed second data records to the portable electronic device, full content of the ones of changed second data records for which only partial content has been transmitted, is transmitted until either full content of each of the ones of the changed second data records is transmitted or a low memory condition is determined at the portable electronic device.