Background synchronization

• US 20120131182A1
• Filed: 11/10/2011
• Published: 05/24/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 04/23/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: iAnywhere Solutions Incorporated (SAP SE)
• Original Assignee: iAnywhere Solutions Incorporated (SAP SE)
• Inventors: Roberts, Michael Patrick, Giguere, Eric
• Granted Patent: US 8,862,782 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/224
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/1095 Replication or mirroring of data, e.g. scheduling or transport for data synchronisation between network nodes
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/535 Tracking the activity of the user network monitoring arrangements H04L43/00; recording of computer activity G06F11/34
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/62 Establishing a time schedule for servicing the requests

Abstract

Systems, methods and computer program products for determining a schedule for synchronizing a server and a client are described herein. The method operates by tracking user usage of the client to develop usage patterns. A sync schedule is generated using the usage patterns, where the sync schedule enhances at least one of sync usefulness and sync transparency. The server and client are synchronized according to the sync schedule. More particularly, a sync fitness measure for an interval t is determined. The sync fitness measure is based on at least one of (a) sync transparency; and (b) sync usefulness. It is determined whether the sync fitness measure satisfies a threshold. If the sync fitness measure satisfies the threshold, then the server and client are synchronized during interval t.

Claims

1. A method of scheduling a sync between a server and a client, comprising:

tracking user usage of said client to develop usage patterns;

determining a sync schedule using said usage patterns, wherein said sync schedule enhances at least one of sync usefulness and sync transparency; and

syncing said server and client according to said sync schedule.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said determining and syncing steps collectively comprise:

determining a sync fitness measure for an interval t, wherein said sync fitness measure is based on at least one of (a) sync transparency; and

(b) sync usefulness;

determining whether said sync fitness measure satisfies a threshold; and

synchronizing said server and said client during said interval t if said sync fitness measure satisfies said threshold.

3. A method of determining whether to synchronize a server and a client in an interval t, comprising:

generating a sync fitness measure for said interval t, wherein said sync fitness measure is based on at least one of (a) sync transparency; and

(b) sync usefulness;

determining whether said sync fitness measure satisfies a threshold; and

synchronizing said server and said client during said interval t if said sync fitness measure satisfies said threshold.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising:

tracking user usage of said client.

5. The method of claim 3, further comprising:

generating a probability P_H(t) that said client will be inactive during said interval t; and

generating a probability P_U(t) that a user will be accessing data in said client during said interval t.

6. The method of claim 3, wherein said generating step comprises:

generating at least one of a sync usefulness measure E₁(t) and a sync transparency measure E₂(t) according to equations;

7. The method of claim 6, wherein said sync fitness measure comprises a weighted sum of E₁ (t) and E₂(t).

8. A method of synchronizing a server and a client, comprising:

determining whether user provided criteria is satisfied;

generating a random number if said user provided criteria is satisfied;

waiting a time period equal to t plus or minus said random number; and

initiating a sync of said server and client after expiration of said time period.

9. A system of determining whether to synchronize a server and a client in an interval t, comprising:

means for generating a sync fitness measure for said interval t, wherein said sync fitness measure is based on at least one of (a) sync transparency; and

(b) sync usefulness;

means for determining whether said sync fitness measure satisfies a threshold; and

means for synchronizing said server and said client during said interval t if said sync fitness measure satisfies said threshold.

10. The system of claim 9, further comprising:

means for tracking user usage of said client.

11. The system of claim 9, further comprising:

means for generating a probability P_H(t) that said client will be inactive during said interval t; and

means for generating a probability P_U(t) that a user will be accessing data in said client during said interval t.

12. The system of claim 9, wherein said generating means comprises:

means for generating at least one of a sync usefulness measure E₁(t) and a sync transparency measure E₂(t) according to equations;

13. The system of claim 12, wherein said sync fitness measure comprises a weighted sum of E₁(t) and E₂(t).

14. A computer program product comprising a computer useable medium having computer program logic recorded thereon for enabling a processor to determine whether to synchronize a server and a client in an interval t, the computer program logic comprising:

means for enabling a processor to generate a sync fitness measure for said interval t, wherein said sync fitness measure is based on at least one of (a) sync transparency; and

(b) sync usefulness;

means for enabling a processor to determine whether said sync fitness measure satisfies a threshold; and

means for enabling a processor to synchronize said server and said client during said interval t if said sync fitness measure satisfies said threshold.

15. The computer program product of claim 14, wherein said computer program logic further comprises:

means for enabling a processor to track user usage of said client.

16. The computer program product of claim 14, wherein said computer program logic further comprises:

means for enabling a processor to generate a probability P_H(t) that said client will be inactive during said interval t; and

means for enabling a processor to generate a probability P_U(t) that a user will be accessing data in said client during said interval t.

17. The computer program product of claim 14, wherein said generating means comprises:

means for enabling a processor to generate at least one of a sync usefulness measure E₁(t) and a sync transparency measure E₂(t) according to equations;

18. The computer program product of claim 17, wherein said sync fitness measure comprises a weighted sum of E₁(t) and E₂(t).