Separation of conflict resolution from synchronization

• US 20070162517A1
• Filed: 12/30/2005
• Published: 07/12/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/30/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Miller, Quentin, Teegan, Hugh, Limont, David
• Granted Patent: US 7,747,567 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/258 Data format conversion from or to a database

Abstract

The subject disclosure pertains to separation of conflict resolution from a synchronization system or methodology. Upon detection of a synchronization conflict, a request can be generated by a synchronization component and transmitted to a conflict resolution component that is independent and detached from one or more synchronization components. The conflict resolution component resolves the conflict, generates a resolution response, and transmits the responses back to the requesting synchronization component for implementation, among other things.

Claims

1. A conflict resolution system comprising the following computer-implemented components:

an interface component that facilitates receipt of conflict resolution requests from one or more synchronization components; and

a conflict resolution component that resolves conflicts identified in the requests, the conflict resolution component is independent of the one or more synchronization components.

2. The system of claim 1, the conflict resolution component resolves requests based on a resolution policy independent of conflicting components.

3. The system of claim 2, the resolution component includes a context component that obtains context information from one of more of the synchronization components to facilitate policy application.

4. The system of claim 1 the conflict resolution request includes identification of conflicting components and state information thereof.

5. The system of claim 1, the conflict resolution component includes a message generation component that generates a response to the request.

6. The system of claim 5, the generated response is communicated to the one or more components via the interface component.

7. The system of claim 5, the response includes instructions on how to implement resolution on a synchronization component.

8. The system of claim 5, the generated response provides information that pertains to the resolution.

9. The system of claim 5, the one or more synchronization components include a conflict detection component to detect conflicts in data to be synchronized.

10. A synchronization methodology comprising the following computer implemented acts:

detecting a synchronization conflict between at least a first and second item resident on at least a first and second component;

generating a conflict resolution request; and

communicating the request to a remote entity independent of the at least first and second components.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

receiving a synchronization request including changes to be applied from the first component; and

enumerating changes associated with the second component since last synchronization of the first and second components.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising receiving a resolution response from the remote entity.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising applying changes provided in the response to the second item.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising generating a synchronization response.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising transmitting the synchronization response to the first entity.

16. A synchronization system comprising:

a computer-implemented means for generating a conflict resolution request; and

a computer-implemented means for transmitting the conflict request to an independent resolver remote from devices to be synchronized.

17. The system of claim 16, further comprising a computer-implemented means for receiving a resolution response to the request.

18. The system of claim 17, further comprising a computer-implemented means for implementing the response with respect to a first synchronization device.

19. The system of claim 18, further comprising a computer-implemented means for forming a synchronization response.

20. The system of claim 19, further comprising a computer-implemented means for transmitting the synchronization response to a second synchronization device.