Server Handheld Database Synchronization System

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Solution Overview

Problem

Portable computing devices, such as handheld devices, face challenges in accessing and interacting with enterprise business applications due to their limited computing power, energy storage, and memory, which hinders efficient data transfer and synchronization with main databases.

Innovation Solution

A system that synchronizes handheld devices with a server, allowing users to make transactions and update local databases, with the server providing metadata and extracting data from the main database to update the handheld device, while also managing transactions and filter settings to conserve resources.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If data is extracted and transferred from the server database to the handheld device, then the handheld device can access enterprise business applications, but the limited memory and computing power of the handheld device are overwhelmed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess to enterprise business applicationsVSAvoidmemory capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The database is segmented into a main database on the server and a local database on the handheld device. The synchronization process divides data into categories (new records, modified records, deleted records) and transfers only necessary portions, reducing memory requirements while maintaining access to enterprise applications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention extracts only the essential data needed for handheld operation from the main database, storing it in a compressed format in the local database. This extraction approach allows enterprise application functionality without requiring full database copies on the limited handheld memory.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Speed

If the handheld device stores a local copy of the database, then data access is faster, but the device consumes more memory and processing resources

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata access speedVSAvoidcomputing power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The local database on the handheld device stores data in a compressed, simplified format optimized for quick access to frequently used information, while the main database on the server maintains the complete uncompressed dataset. This local quality optimization enables faster access without requiring full computational resources locally.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs partial data synchronization, transferring only the portion of data needed for immediate handheld operation rather than the complete database. This partial action approach provides sufficient data access speed while avoiding the excessive memory and processing resource consumption that would result from storing the entire database locally.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Reliability

If the handheld device synchronizes frequently with the server, then data consistency is maintained, but the limited energy storage is depleted faster

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata consistencyVSAvoidbattery life

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The synchronization process is designed as a periodic action that occurs at scheduled intervals or when triggered by specific events (such as connection availability). The system efficiently compares and transfers only changed records between the local and main databases during each synchronization cycle, maintaining data consistency while minimizing energy consumption by avoiding continuous synchronization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

4Ease of operation

If the handheld device processes complex business applications locally, then user interaction is seamless, but the limited computing power is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser interaction smoothnessVSAvoidcomputing power

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The handheld device functions as an intermediary between the user and the server, providing a simplified local interface for seamless user interaction while the server handles complex processing tasks. The local database stores pre-processed data in an optimized format that enables smooth user interaction without requiring full computational power locally, with the server acting as the mediator for heavy processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS7761535B2Method and system for server synchronization with a computing device

Publication Date: 2010.07.20 ORACLE AMERICAN INC

AI summary

A method and system for synchronizing a main database of a server and a local database of a handheld device. A user can use an application residing in the handheld device to make transactions in the local database. During a synchronization operation, the handheld device and server are coupled. The system then determines whether the application should be updated and, if so, causes the server to provide an update. The system also causes the handheld device to provide to the server information related to the transactions made by the user to the local database. The system causes the server to perform transactions on the main database based on the transaction information. The system also causes the server to extract data from the main database. The server can then provide at least some of the extracted data to the handheld device to update the local database.