Multi-Phase Restore System for Mobile Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional backup and restore operations for mobile devices are unreliable, insecure, and user-unfriendly due to unreliable wireless network connections and bandwidth limitations, especially when used in transit.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a multi-phase backup and restore system that utilizes cloud storage with dynamic configuration of backup sources, including cloud storage, local computers, and asset stores, to allow incremental and resumable operations, while maintaining metadata to track resource types and availability for efficient data transfer and prioritization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If conventional backup/restore operations use high bandwidth network connections, then transfer speed is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to unreliable wireless network connections in transit
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides backup and restore operations into multiple phases (initial modal phase and subsequent background phase) rather than executing them as a single continuous operation. This segmentation allows the system to complete critical restore tasks during the initial phase when the device is in a controlled state, then continue with less critical operations in the background phase when the device is more resilient to network interruptions. This resolves the contradiction by making the overall process reliable even when network conditions are poor.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary actions during the initial modal restore phase by restoring essential system files and metadata before the device becomes fully operational. This preliminary restoration ensures that the device can boot and become usable even if the subsequent background restore phase is interrupted by network failures. This approach improves reliability by ensuring critical functions are restored before relying on potentially unstable wireless network connections.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional backup/restore operations are performed over wireless networks, then device portability is improved, but operation time deteriorates due to bandwidth limitations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the restore operation into an initial modal phase that restores essential system files quickly, followed by a background phase that restores additional content. This segmentation allows the device to become partially usable during the initial phase, providing value to the user even if the complete restore takes longer due to wireless bandwidth limitations. The device can be used during the background phase for non-critical operations, effectively reducing the perceived operation time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements partial action by allowing the device to become operational during the background restore phase. Instead of requiring the entire restore operation to complete before the device is usable, the system provides partial functionality during the restore process. This reduces the effective operation time from the user's perspective, as they can begin using the device before all data is fully restored.
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional backup/restore operations are performed over open wireless networks, then network accessibility is improved, but security deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and protects sensitive data (metadata, file information, backup identifiers) from the data transfer process. By separating the restoration of metadata and file identifiers from the actual content transfer, and by using encrypted protocols for communicating backup status and control information, the system reduces security risks associated with using open wireless networks. The critical structural information is protected while still allowing network accessibility for the restore operation.
4Reliability
If multi-phase restore is implemented with dynamic source configuration, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic source configuration where the system can adaptively select and switch between different backup sources (cloud storage, local computers, asset stores) based on availability and performance. This dynamic approach improves reliability by automatically using the most appropriate source for each phase of restoration, while the underlying complexity is managed through automated decision-making algorithms rather than requiring complex manual configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The backup system performs self-service by automatically managing the complexity of multi-phase operations, source selection, and data chunk tracking without requiring user intervention. The system autonomously determines which sources to use, what data to restore in each phase, and how to handle network interruptions, thereby improving reliability while keeping the user interface simple and the perceived device complexity low.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatus to identify at least a first portion and a second portion of resources to restore to a device are described. The first portion of the resources may be restored atomically to the device before the second portion of the resources. The device may not respond to at least one user input during the restoration of the first portion of the resources. If the restoring of the first portion is successful, the second portion of the resources may be restored. The device may respond to the user input during the restoring of the second portion of the resources.