Method and apparatus for synchronizing databases connected by wireless interface

• US 7,747,566 B2
• Filed: 11/23/2005
• Issued: 06/29/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 11/23/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Malikie Innovations Limited (Key Patent Innovations Limited)
• Original Assignee: Blackberry Limited
• Inventors: Tysowski, Piotr K., Hardy, Michael T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Boccio; Vincent
• Application Number:
  US11/284,904
• Publication Number:
  US 20070118571A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,679 Days
• Field of Search: 707/201, 707/999.201, 707/609, 707/610, 707/621
• US Class Current: 707/610
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/273 Asynchronous replication or reconciliation

Abstract

A method of synchronizing at least one database including first data records of a portable electronic device with at least one other database including second data records. The method includes receiving information representative of the first data records and comparing the information representative of the first data records with information representative of the second data records to determine if changes made to either the first data records or the second data records are not reflected in the other of the first and second data records. If changes made to the second data records are not reflected in the first data records, only partial content of ones of changed second data records is transmitted to the portable electronic device. The partial content includes key fields of data sufficient to uniquely identify the ones of the changed second data records in which the key fields of data are contained. After transmitting only partial content of the ones of changed second data records to the portable electronic device, full content of the ones of changed second data records for which only partial content has been transmitted, is transmitted until either full content of each of the ones of the changed second data records is transmitted or a low memory condition is determined at the portable electronic device.

Claims

1. A method for synchronizing at least one database of a portable electronic device including first data records with at least one other database including second data records, the method comprising:

receiving information representative of said first data records;

comparing said information representative of said first data records with information representative of said second data records to determine if changes made to either said first data records or said second data records are not reflected in the other of said first and second data records;

if changes made to said second data records are not reflected in said first data records, transmitting to the portable electronic device only partial content of ones of changed second data records, said partial content including key fields of data sufficient to uniquely identify said ones of changed second data records in which said key fields of data are contained, said key fields acting as a reference to a respective data record to which said key fields belong; and

after transmitting only partial content of said ones of changed second data records to said portable electronic device, receiving respective requests for full content of respective ones of said changed second data records for which only partial content has been transmitted; and

transmitting full content of each said respective one of changed second data records for which only partial content has been transmitted in response to receiving each said respective request for full content, until either;

full content of each of said ones of changed second data records is transmitted;

or

a low memory condition is determined at the portable electronic device,

wherein a determination of whether sufficient memory is available for storage of full content of each said respective one of said changed second data records is made at said portable electronic device after each said respective one of said changed second data record is received, a request for a next full data record transmitted by said portable electronic device after each said determination if said low memory condition does not occur.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein said receiving information representative of said first data records comprises receiving hash information representative of said first data records.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein said comparing comprises comparing said hash information representative of said first data records with hash information representative of said second data records.

4. The method according to claim 3, further comprising generating said hash information representative of said second data records prior to said comparing.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein generating said hash information comprises generating hash information representative of key fields of data only for said ones of changed second data records for which only partial content is transmitted to said portable electronic device.

6. The method according to claim 1, further comprising associating said second data records with an identifier for identifying said ones of changed second data records for which only partial content is transmitted to said portable electronic device.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein said full content of said ones of changed second data records is transmitted in response to receiving a request.

8. The method according to claim 1, comprising transmitting full content of other ones of changed data records that are indicated for full content transmission, prior to transmitting full content of said ones of changed second data records for which only partial content has been transmitted to said portable electronic device.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein full content of said ones of changed second data records is transmitted according to an assigned priority.

10. An apparatus for synchronizing at least one database of a portable electronic device including first data records with at least one other database including second data records, the apparatus comprising:

a memory device for storing said at least one other database including said second data records;

a receiver for receiving information representative of said first data records

a processor for comparing said information representative of said first data records with information representative of said second data records to determine if changes made to either said first data records or said second data records are not reflected in the other of said first and second data records; and

a transmitter for transmitting to said portable electronic device, only partial content of ones of changed second data records, said partial content including key fields of data sufficient to uniquely identify said ones of changed second data records in which said key fields of data are contained, if changes made to said ones of changed second data records are not reflected in said first data records, and after transmitting only said partial content, for transmitting full content of each respective one of changed second data records for which only partial content has been transmitted in response to receiving, at said receiver, respective requests for full content of each said respective one of said changed second data records for which only partial content has been transmitted, until either;

full content of each of said ones of changed second data records is transmitted;

or

a low memory condition is determined at the portable electronic device,

wherein a determination of whether sufficient memory is available for storage of said full content of each said respective one of said changed second data records is made at said portable electronic device after full content of each said respective one of said changed second data record is received, a request for a next full data record transmitted by said portable electronic device after each said determination if said low memory condition does not occur.

11. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said information representative of said first data records comprises hash information representative of said first data records, and said information representative of said second data records comprises hash information representative of said second data records.

12. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said processor is configured to generate said hash information representative of said second data records prior to said comparing and said hash information representative of said ones of changed second data records for which only partial content has been transmitted comprises hash information representative of key fields of data only.

13. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein an identifier is associated with said ones of changed second data records for which only partial content is transmitted.

14. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said transmitter is configured for transmitting full content of other ones of changed second data records that are indicated for full content transmission.

15. A computer-readable medium for storing computer readable code embodied therein for:

receiving information representative of said first data records

comparing said information representative of said first data records with information representative of said second data records to determine if changes made to either said first data records or said second data records are not reflected in the other of said first and second data records; and

if changes made to said second data records are not reflected in said first data records, transmitting to a portable electronic device only partial content of ones of changed second data records, said partial content including key fields of data sufficient to uniquely identify said ones of changed second data records in which said key fields of data are contained, said key fields acting as a reference to a respective data record to which said key fields belong; and

after transmitting only partial content of said ones of changed second data records to said portable electronic device, receiving respective requests for full content of respective ones of said changed second data records for which only partial content has been transmitted; and

transmitting full content of each said one of changed second data records for which only partial content has been transmitted in response to receiving each said respective request for full content, until either;

full content of each of said ones of changed second data records is transmitted;

or

a low memory condition is determined at the portable electronic device,

wherein a determination of whether sufficient memory is available for storage of full content of each said respective one of said changed second data records is made at said portable electronic device after each said respective one of said changed second data record is received, a request for a next full data record transmitted by said portable electronic device after each said determination if said low memory condition does not occur.