System and method for managing replicated data by merging the retrieved records to generate a sequence of modifications
First Claim
1. A method of managing copies of a shared data file maintained on a plurality of computer systems that are connectable via a mobile communications network (460), the method comprising:
- a) for each copy (205,
420) of the shared data file, maintaining a record (540) of modifications made to that copy;
b) retrieving, via connection to the mobile communications network (460), the records of modifications (550) maintained for at least some of the copies of the shared data file;
c) merging (560) the retrieved records to generate a sequence of modifications;
d) applying predefined rules (580) to the sequence of modifications to resolve conflicts within the sequence of modifications; and
e) modifying at least one copy (205,
420) of the shared file based on the conflict-resolved sequence of modifications.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A data management system and a method for managing copies of a shared data file maintained on a plurality of computer systems that are connectable via a mobile communications network. The method comprises: for each copy of the shared data file, maintaining a record of modifications made to that copy; retrieving, via connection to the mobile communications network, the records maintained for other copies of the shared data file; merging the retrieved records to generate a sequence of modification; applying predefined rules to the sequence of modifications to resolve conflicts within the sequence of modifications; and modifying the copies of the shared file based on the conflict-resolved sequence of modifications. The solution is not restricted to a particular set of applications. It improves efficiency since it retains communication autonomy from the applications. Applications need not be modified to make use of the facilities provided.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A method of managing copies of a shared data file maintained on a plurality of computer systems that are connectable via a mobile communications network (460), the method comprising:
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a) for each copy (205,
420) of the shared data file, maintaining a record (540) of modifications made to that copy;b) retrieving, via connection to the mobile communications network (460), the records of modifications (550) maintained for at least some of the copies of the shared data file; c) merging (560) the retrieved records to generate a sequence of modifications; d) applying predefined rules (580) to the sequence of modifications to resolve conflicts within the sequence of modifications; and e) modifying at least one copy (205,
420) of the shared file based on the conflict-resolved sequence of modifications. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A first computer system for maintaining a copy (420) of a shared data file, copies of the shared data file also being maintained on a plurality of other computer systems that are connectable to the first computer system via a mobile communications network (460), each first one other computer system being arranged to keep a record (540, 550) of modifications made to its copy of the shared file while disconnected from the mobile communications network (460), the system comprising:
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retrieval means (440,
450) for connecting the first computer system to the mobile communications network (460) to retrieve the records (550) kept for copies of the shared data file maintained on the plurality of other computer systems;merging means (560) for merging the retrieved records (550) with the record (540) kept for the first computer system (420) of the shared data file to generate a sequence of modifications; conflict resolving means (590) for applying predefined rules (580) to the sequence of modifications to resolve conflicts within the sequence of modifications; and means (590) for modifying the copy (420) of the shared file in the first computer system based on the conflict-resolved sequence of modifications.
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12. A data management system for managing copies of a shared data file maintained on a plurality of computer systems that are connectable via a mobile communications network (460), the system comprising:
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logging means (410), associated with each copy (420) of the shared data file, for keeping a record (540,
550) of modifications made to that copy;retrieval means (440,
450) for retrieving, via connection to the mobile communications network (460), the records maintained for at least some of the copies (420) of the shared data file;merging means (560) for merging the retrieved records to generate a sequence of modifications; conflict resolving means (590) for applying predefined rules (580) to the sequence of modifications to resolve conflicts within the sequence of modifications; and means (590) for modifying at least one copy (420) of the shared file based on the conflict-resolved sequence of modifications. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification