Local Virtual State Management for Intermittent Network Connections

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current content management systems face limitations in providing seamless user experiences due to reliance on intermittent network connections, leading to delays and frustration when users create or share content, as local interactions are only possible when connectivity meets certain thresholds.

Innovation Solution

Implementing systems and methods that allow users to maintain local virtual states on their devices, enabling immediate display and interaction with content as if it were server-side stored, even during intermittent connections by using local IDs and parallel processing to simulate server actions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the application relies on server-side storage and processing for all content operations, then data consistency and reliability are improved, but user experience and interaction speed deteriorate due to network latency and intermittent connectivity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata consistencyVSAvoiduser wait time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by creating local virtual states and assigning local IDs to content items before server confirmation. Users can immediately interact with content locally without waiting for server processing, while the system continues to synchronize with the server in the background to ensure eventual data consistency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary layer (local virtual state) between the user interface and the server. This intermediary allows the application to maintain the illusion of immediate server-side processing by presenting content locally with local IDs, while separately managing synchronization with the actual server state through background processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If the application waits for server confirmation before displaying content, then data accuracy is improved, but user experience and perceived responsiveness deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata accuracyVSAvoiduser experience

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system creates copies of server content in local virtual states and uses local IDs as placeholders. These local copies allow immediate display and interaction without waiting for server confirmation, while the system maintains accuracy by eventually synchronizing these local copies with the authoritative server data.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Adaptability or versatility

If the application implements offline capability with local virtual states, then user experience and accessibility are improved, but system complexity increases due to synchronization management

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoffline capabilityVSAvoidsynchronization management

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the complexity of real-time synchronization by separating it from the user interaction flow. The local virtual state system handles user interactions independently with simple local ID management, while a separate background process handles the complex synchronization tasks with the server, reducing the complexity perceived during user operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Speed

If the application uses local IDs instead of server IDs, then interaction speed and offline functionality are improved, but data mapping and synchronization complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinteraction speedVSAvoidID mapping complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces the mechanical system of immediate server ID assignment with a virtual local ID system. Local IDs are generated and assigned instantly without requiring server communication, providing immediate interaction speed. The mapping between local and server IDs is managed asynchronously in the background, substituting real-time mechanical coordination with decoupled asynchronous processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS9961149B2Systems and methods for maintaining local virtual states pending server-side storage across multiple devices and users and intermittent network connections

Publication Date: 2018.05.01 DROPBOX INC

AI summary

Systems, methods, and non-transitory computer readable media are provided for maintaining local virtual states pending server-side storage across multiple devices and users and intermittent network connections. In exemplary embodiments, content added by a user to his or her account locally on a user device may be displayed, and all interactivity therewith may be facilitated, as if the content had already been created on the content management system. In content management system applications that support shared virtual spaces, changes made by the user from his or her user device to the shared virtual space (including creation of a new shared virtual space) may be displayed locally as soon as the change has been made, not waiting for the information to be transmitted to the server or its state to be made consistent with that of the mobile device.