Sync Server Edge Caching for Cellular Data Synchronization
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing data synchronization processes for mobile devices are time-consuming, especially over slow networks, and require redundant data transfers, as they rely on a push model that is difficult to implement due to connectivity issues and inefficient data handling.
Innovation Solution
Prefetching and edge caching of sync data by a sync server, where unprocessed data is downloaded, processed, and cached, allowing immediate availability to mobile devices upon request, reducing the need for redundant transfers and improving data access speed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a push model is used for data synchronization, then data can be sent to mobile devices as available without user intervention, but it is difficult to implement because mobile devices often lose connectivity, roam between networks, go to sleep to conserve power, or become unavailable to receive pushed sync data
Solution Approach 1:
The sync server performs preliminary actions by prefetching unprocessed sync data from backend servers and processing it into formatted sync data before mobile devices request it. This advance preparation ensures data is ready when devices become available, resolving the contradiction between push model efficiency and connection reliability issues.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary caching mechanism between the backend server and mobile devices. The sync server acts as a mediator that stores processed sync data in caches, allowing devices to retrieve data when connected without requiring real-time push notifications, thus accommodating intermittent connectivity while maintaining synchronization efficiency.
2Ease of operation
If a timed pull model is used for data synchronization, then it is easier to implement, but it requires the mobile device to wait for the next scheduled sync interval even when connectivity is re-established
Solution Approach 1:
The sync server performs preliminary data processing and formatting before devices request it. When a device initiates a sync, the preprocessed data is immediately available for transfer, eliminating the waiting time associated with timed pull models while maintaining implementation simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adapts between push and pull models by implementing prefetching on the server side with immediate availability upon device initiation. This dynamic approach combines the ease of pull models with the efficiency of push models, reducing synchronization time while maintaining ease of implementation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If sync data is transferred over a cellular network with slow data transfer rate, then mobile devices can access data anywhere, but the time required to perform a sync becomes quite long
Solution Approach 1:
The sync server prefetches and processes sync data in advance before mobile devices need it. This preliminary preparation allows the data to be ready for immediate transfer when devices connect, significantly reducing sync time over slow cellular networks while maintaining the ability to access data anywhere.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transfers only the necessary formatted sync data that has been preprocessed and is ready for immediate transfer. By preparing data in advance and transferring only what is needed when the device connects, the system minimizes transfer time over cellular networks while maintaining connectivity flexibility.
4Productivity
If the same sync data is transferred to multiple mobile devices, then each device receives its required data, but redundant data transfers consume network bandwidth and increase synchronization time
Solution Approach 1:
The sync server merges the data preparation process by prefetching and processing sync data once, then making it available for multiple devices. This combining of preprocessing operations eliminates redundant data preparation and reduces overall network bandwidth consumption while maintaining efficient data distribution to multiple devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates copies of preprocessed sync data for distribution to multiple devices. Rather than reprocessing data for each device, the server creates and distributes copies of the formatted sync data, significantly reducing the computational and network resources required while maintaining data distribution efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a method, system, and computer program product for prefetching sync data and for edge caching on a cellular device (e.g., a cell phone). The method for prefetching sync data comprises: providing unprocessed sync data at a first location; downloading the unprocessed sync data from the first location to a second location over a first network; processing the unprocessed sync data at the second location to provide preprocessed sync data; storing the preprocessed sync data in a cache; receiving a sync request from a mobile device; and immediately providing at least a portion of the preprocessed sync data stored in the cache to the mobile device.