Multi-Terminal Message State Synchronization via Server Mediation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing synchronization technologies cannot directly synchronize messages and message states between multiple terminals of the same user, especially when the server does not save message history.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that allow message state and message updates to be notified and synchronized between multiple terminals, using modules for receiving and sending message state change notifications and storage layout synchronization requests, enabling synchronization even without server-stored message history.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If existing synchronization technology is used, then message synchronization between server and terminal is achieved, but message synchronization between multiple terminals of the same user cannot be implemented
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a message synchronization mechanism where the server acts as an intermediary that receives message state change notifications from one terminal and forwards them to other correlated terminals. This mediator approach enables indirect synchronization between terminals without requiring direct terminal-to-terminal communication, solving the problem of message state consistency across multiple terminals.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements message state copying by transmitting message state change notifications from one terminal to other terminals through the server. Instead of requiring all terminals to access the same message storage, the system creates and propagates copies of message state information, enabling each terminal to maintain consistent local copies of message states without centralized storage requirements.
2Reliability
If server stores all message history, then complete message synchronization is possible, but network resources and server storage are consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential message state change information from complete message history and transmits only these state change notifications between terminals. By taking out and transmitting only the necessary state change data rather than complete message histories, the system achieves reliable synchronization while minimizing network resource consumption and server storage requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by transmitting only the necessary message state change notifications rather than complete message histories. This partial synchronization approach provides sufficient information for terminals to maintain consistent message states without the excessive resource consumption that would result from transmitting or storing complete message histories on all terminals and the server.
3Adaptability or versatility
If message is stored as draft in one terminal, then user can continue editing on other terminals, but synchronization between terminals is complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables multi-terminal draft editing by copying message state information between terminals through the server. When a message is stored as a draft on one terminal, the message state change notification is transmitted to the server, which then forwards it to other correlated terminals. This copying mechanism allows users to continue editing messages on different terminals without complex direct terminal-to-terminal synchronization protocols.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for synchronizing messages between multiple terminals includes: receiving a message state change notification carrying a message state and a message identifier from a first terminal of a user; and sending a message state change notification to the second terminal of the user, according to the message state change notification. A method for synchronizing storage layouts between multiple terminals includes: receiving a storage layout synchronization request carrying a storage directory and/or storage data from a first terminal; sending the storage layout synchronization request to other terminal correlated with the first terminal, so that the other related terminals update the messages or synchronize the media data and/or storage structures. The invention also discloses a server and a terminal for synchronizing messages between multiple terminals. Through the present invention, messages, message states, storage data, and storage structures can be synchronized between multiple terminals.