Method and apparatus for managing profile information in a heterogeneous or homogeneous network environment
First Claim
1. A method of managing profile information in a heterogeneous network of devices including the steps of:
- distributing a user profile among one or more devices in the form of a plurality of profile nodes; and
administrating read/write operations on the profile nodes according to a coherence protocol, the coherence protocol being adapted to dynamically allocate administrative rights over the profile nodes to the devices, and conditionally cache the profile nodes according to dynamically determined caching rights.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method of managing profile information in a heterogeneous network of devices is described, including the steps of distributing a user profile among one or more devices in the form of a plurality of profile nodes and administrating read/write operations on the profile nodes according to a coherence protocol, the coherence protocol being adapted to dynamically allocate administrative rights over the profile nodes to the devices, and conditionally cache the profile nodes according to dynamically determined caching rights. Characteristics and/or changes in the structure of the network and/or the devices constituting the network can cause the profile to be dynamically replicated and distributed across the network so that specific profile information is coherent and accessible to corresponding devices in the network. The invention provides a means for securely storing profile data across a disparate network while ensuring coherence and secutiry. Such profile data can include user data reflecting context preferences such as browsing preferences, financial data, user data etc.
29 Citations
14 Claims
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1. A method of managing profile information in a heterogeneous network of devices including the steps of:
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distributing a user profile among one or more devices in the form of a plurality of profile nodes; and
administrating read/write operations on the profile nodes according to a coherence protocol, the coherence protocol being adapted to dynamically allocate administrative rights over the profile nodes to the devices, and conditionally cache the profile nodes according to dynamically determined caching rights. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A system of networked heterogeneous devices, incorporating a profile bank, including:
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(a) at least one supervisor device adapted to store management information for the devices in the system and a profile distributed across the system;
(b) one or more devices incorporating a bank cache adapted to store one or more profile nodes and interface means for handling operations on the profile nodes wherein administrative control over the profile nodes by the devices is varied dynamically in response to the characteristics of the devices and/or changes in the network and status of the devices and/or the operations carried out on the profile nodes. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification