Separation of conflict resolution from synchronization

• US 7,747,567 B2
• Filed: 12/30/2005
• Issued: 06/29/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/30/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Miller, Quentin S., Teegan, Hugh A., Limont, David P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Rones; Charles
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ortiz; Belix M
• Application Number:
  US11/324,079
• Publication Number:
  US 20070162517A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,642 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 707/610
• 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:

a processor for executing on a computer executable instruction;

a memory having stored therein computer executable instruction;

a first synchronization component communicatively coupled to a second synchronization component, wherein the first synchronization component is configured to detect a synchronization conflict associated with changes in the first and second synchronization components, and configured to generate and communicate a conflict resolution request for independent conflict resolution of the synchronization conflict in response to detection of the synchronization conflict;

an interface component that facilitates receipt of the conflict resolution request from the first synchronization component;

a conflict resolution component that resolves the synchronization conflict identified in the conflict resolution request and that generates a synchronization response message for communication to the first synchronization component, wherein the synchronization response message identifies changes to be implemented by at least one of the first and second synchronization components for resolving the synchronization conflict, and wherein the conflict resolution component is independent of the first and second synchronization components; and

wherein the conflict resolution request includes identification of conflicting components and state information thereof.

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

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the conflict resolution component includes a context component that obtains context information from the first synchronization component to facilitate policy application.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the conflict resolution component includes a message generation component that generates the synchronization response message for responding to the request.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the generated response is communicated to the first synchronization component via the interface component.

6. The system of claim 4, wherein the response includes instructions on how to implement resolution on a synchronization component.

7. The system of claim 4, wherein the generated response provides information that pertains to the resolution.

8. The system of claim 4, wherein the first and second synchronization components each include a conflict detection component to detect conflicts in data to be synchronized.

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

detecting a synchronization conflict associated with changes in a first and second item respectively resident on at least a first and second component, wherein the first and second components are communicatively coupled together;

generating a conflict resolution request that identifies a conflict associated with the synchronization conflict;

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

at the remote entity;

resolving the conflict identified in the request; and

generating a synchronization response message for communication to the first component, the synchronization response message identifying a change to be implemented by at least one of the first and second components for resolving the synchronization conflict; and

at the first component;

receiving the synchronization response message; and

communicating the identified change to the second component;

wherein the conflict resolution request includes identification of conflicting components and state information thereof.

10. The method of claim 9, 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.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising receiving a resolution response from the remote entity.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising applying changes provided in the response to the second item.

13. A synchronization system comprising:

a processor for executing on a computer executable instruction;

a memory having stored therein computer executable instruction;

a computer-implemented means for detecting a synchronization conflict associated with changes in first and second devices;

a computer-implemented means for generating a conflict resolution request in response to detection of the synchronization conflict, wherein the first and second devices are communicatively coupled together;

a computer-implemented means for transmitting the conflict request to an independent resolver remote from the first and second devices for independent conflict resolution of the synchronization conflict;

a computer-implemented means for receiving the conflict resolution request;

a computer-implemented means for resolving, at the independent resolver, the synchronization conflict and for generating, at the independent resolver, a synchronization response message identifying changes to be implemented by at least one of the first and second devices for resolving the synchronization conflict;

a computer-implemented means for receiving, at one of the first and second devices, a the synchronization response message from the independent resolver, the synchronization response message identifying changes to be implemented by at least one of the first and second devices for resolving the synchronization conflict;

a computer-implemented means for communicating the information identifying the changes to another of the first and second devices; and

a computer-implemented means for implementing the response with respect to one of the first and second devices;

wherein the conflict resolution request includes identification of conflicting components and state information thereof.

14. The system of claim 13, further comprising a computer-implemented means for forming a synchronization response for communication to the another of the first and second devices.