System and method for synchronizing data records between multiple databases

• US 8,131,672 B2
• Filed: 07/11/2008
• Issued: 03/06/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 04/10/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Malikie Innovations Limited (Key Patent Innovations Limited)
• Original Assignee: Research In Motion Limited (Blackberry Limited)
• Inventors: Hind, Hugh, Dunk, Craig A.
• Primary Examiner(s): TO, BAOQUOC N
• Application Number:
  US12/171,787
• Publication Number:
  US 20080270486A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,334 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 707/610
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/275 Synchronous replication
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99942 Manipulating data structure, e.g. compression, compaction, compilation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99952 Coherency, e.g. same view to multiple users
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99953 Recoverability
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99955 Archiving or backup

Abstract

A system and method for synchronizing data records between multiple databases is provided. Each database includes data records that are modified to include at least one pair of synchronization parameters. In a two-database system including a first database and a second database, each data record is modified to include synchronization parameters for both the first and second databases. When an update is made to a data record at one of the databases, an update message is transmitted to the other database including both synchronization parameters from the database where the update is made, along with the updated data record. An efficient master-slave configuration between the databases then enables either database to resolve conflicts without further communications. The system and method scale to systems having more than two databases by modifying the data records in at least one of the databases to include a pair of synchronization parameters for each of the other databases to which it is being synchronized, and by providing a multi-level master-slave configuration. The system and method permits the ability to add and delete records and to securely communicate between all synchronized databases.

Claims

1. A secure data record synchronization system, comprising:

a host system coupled to a host database, wherein the host database stores data records that include a first host-synchronization-parameter and a first device-synchronization-parameter;

the host system being configured to generate a first update message that is encrypted and transmitted over a network to a portable data communication device when a first data record is updated at the host system, the first update message including the first host-synchronization-parameter, the first device-synchronization-parameter, and the updated first data record;

wherein the portable data communication device includes a device database that stores data records that include a second host-synchronization-parameter and a second device-synchronization-parameter;

the host system being further configured to receive from the portable data communication device a second update message, the second update message being generated and encrypted by the portable data communication device and being transmitted to the host system when a second data record is updated at the portable data communication device, the second update message including the second host-synchronization-parameter, the second device-synchronization-parameter, and the updated second data record.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein conflicts between changes made in the host database and the device database are resolved in favor of propagating the change made in the host database.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein conflicts between changes made in the host database and the device database are resolved in favor of propagating the change made in the device database.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the updated first data record or the updated second data record may include a new data record.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein updates to the first or second data record include deletion of a data record.

6. A secure data record synchronization system, comprising:

a portable data communication device that includes a device database for storing data records that include a first host-synchronization-parameter and a first device-synchronization-parameter;

the portable data communication device being configured to generate a first update message that is encrypted and transmitted over a network to a host system when a first data record is updated at the portable data communication device, the first update message including the first host-synchronization-parameter, the first device-synchronization-parameter, and the updated first data record;

wherein the host system is coupled to a host database that stores data records that include a second host-synchronization-parameter and a second device-synchronization-parameter;

the portable data communication device being further configured to receive from the host system a second update message, the second update message being generated and encrypted by the host system and transmitted over the network to the portable data communication device when a second data record is updated at the host system, the second update message including the second host-synchronization-parameter, the second device-synchronization-parameter, and the updated second data record.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein conflicts between changes made in the host database and the device database are resolved in favor of propagating the change made in the host database.

8. The system of claim 6, wherein conflicts between changes made in the host database and the device database are resolved in favor of propagating the change made in the device database.

9. The system of claim 6, wherein the updated first data record or the updated second data record may include a new data record.

10. The system of claim 6, wherein updates to the first or second data record include deletion of a data record.

11. A method of synchronizing date records between a host system and a portable data communication device, comprising:

generating, at the host system, a first update message that is encrypted and transmitted over a network to the portable data communication device when a first data record is updated at the host system, the first update message including a first host-synchronization-parameter, a first device-synchronization-parameter, and an updated first data record; and

receiving, at the host system from the portable data communication device, a second update message, the second update message being generated and encrypted by the portable data communication device and being transmitted to the host system when a second data record is updated at the portable data communication device, the second update message including a second host-synchronization-parameter, a second device-synchronization-parameter, and an updated second data record.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein conflicts between changes made at the host system and at the portable data communication device are resolved in favor of propagating the change made at the host system.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein conflicts between changes made at the host system and at the portable data communication device are resolved in favor of propagating the change made at the portable data communication device.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein the updated first data record or the updated second data record may include a new data record.

15. The system of claim 11, wherein updates to the first or second data record include deletion of a data record.

16. A method of synchronizing date records between a portable data communication device and a host system, comprising:

generating, at the portable data communication device, a first update message that is encrypted and transmitted over a network to the host system when a first data record is updated at the portable data communication device, the first update message including a first host-synchronization-parameter, a first device-synchronization-parameter, and an updated first data record; and

receiving, at the portable data communication device from the host system, a second update message, the second update message being generated and encrypted by the host system and transmitted over the network to the portable data communication device when a second data record is updated at the host system, the second update message including a second host-synchronization-parameter, a second device-synchronization-parameter, and an updated second data record.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein conflicts between changes made at the host system and at the portable data communication device are resolved in favor of propagating the change made at the host system.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein conflicts between changes made in the host system and at the portable data communication device are resolved in favor of propagating the change made at the portable data communication device.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein the updated first data record or the updated second data record may include a new data record.

20. The method of claim 16, wherein updates to the first or second data record include deletion of a data record.