Delta Record Synchronization for OMA Device Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing OMA DM protocol is resource-intensive due to the need for the entire DM tree to be transmitted between the UE and the DM server for synchronization, which consumes bandwidth and processing resources, especially when multiple servers need to update the same tree without knowing its current state.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of delta records, which store incremental changes, allows the DM server to synchronize with the UE by retrieving only the necessary changes, reducing the data transmission and processing required, and includes a mechanism for managing and purging these records efficiently.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the entire DM tree is transmitted between UE and DM server for synchronization, then the DM server can be synchronized with the current state of the DM tree, but bandwidth consumption and processing resources increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesynchronization accuracyVSAvoidbandwidth consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the changed portions (delta records) from the complete DM tree and transmits them between UE and DM server. Instead of synchronizing the entire DM tree, the system identifies and transmits only the specific nodes that have changed, significantly reducing bandwidth consumption while maintaining synchronization accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the DM tree into individual nodes or subsets of nodes, allowing selective transmission of only those segments that have changed. This segmentation enables the system to transmit discrete change records rather than the complete tree structure, reducing overall data transmission requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Loss of information

If the entire DM tree is transmitted for synchronization, then complete state information is available, but processing resources and response time are adversely affected

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestate information completenessVSAvoidsynchronization speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system extracts only the essential change information from the DM tree and transmits these delta records. The DM server can reconstruct the current state by applying these extracted changes to the previously known state, maintaining information completeness while reducing processing overhead and improving response time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The UE maintains a local copy of the DM tree and pre-identifies changes before transmission. By preparing delta records in advance and only transmitting what has changed, the system reduces the processing burden during synchronization operations and improves overall productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple DM servers update the same DM tree without knowing its current state, then service provisioning is flexible, but conflicts and inefficiencies occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemulti-server provisioning flexibilityVSAvoidupdate consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the UE provides delta records to DM servers, informing them of the current state changes. This feedback loop allows multiple DM servers to stay synchronized with the actual DM tree state, preventing conflicts and ensuring consistent updates across all servers while maintaining provisioning flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP2553952B1Method for communicating device management data changes
Publication Date: 2018.10.24 BLACKBERRY LTD
  • EP2553952B1 patent drawingFigure 1~4
  • EP2553952B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3

AI summary

Methods and apparatuses relating to Open Mobile Alliance (OMA) device management (DM) are provided. An embodiment provides a method in which a mobile device is configured for: accumulating delta records on the mobile device; and pushing delta records to a DM server when a threshold for the delta records is met or exceeded. The delta records relate to changes made to an Open Mobile Alliance (OMA) device management (DM) tree. The delta records may be purged after the pushing operation. Other embodiments provide a mobile device and computer-readable medium for performing or facilitating the method.