Methods and apparatus for dataset synchronization in a wireless environment

• US 9,143,560 B2
• Filed: 06/19/2008
• Issued: 09/22/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 06/19/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Koganti, Sudheer B., Kelley, Brian H., Hohlfeld, Matthew
• Primary Examiner(s): KIM, TAE K
• Application Number:
  US12/142,023
• Publication Number:
  US 20090077263A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,651 Days
• Field of Search: 709/201, 709/206, 709/219, 709/227, 709/246, 709/248, 709/203, 709/204, 709/217, 709/230, 709/232, 455/420, 707/610, 707/611
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/27 Replication, distribution or synchronisation of data between databases or within a distributed database system; Distributed database system architectures therefor
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/1095 Replication or mirroring of data, e.g. scheduling or transport for data synchronisation between network nodes

Abstract

Methods, apparatus, systems, and computer program products are provided for wirelessly synchronizing datasets that are stored on a wireless device and at a network device, such as a network server or database. Present aspects provide for a simplified and efficient synchronization process, whereby synchronization can be completed in a single round-trip of wireless communication between the wireless device and the network device. Single round-trip synchronization provides for less use of network resources, shorter overall synchronization cycle times and lessens the likelihood of wireless network failures, such as call drops or the like, causing the synchronization process to fail. Additionally, simplification and efficiency are further realized by creating a synchronization process that allows the network dataset to be independent of the wireless device datasets, i.e., the network server does not require a full change history nor is the network server required to know the wireless device dataset version.

Claims

1. A method for synchronization of a dataset on a wireless device, the method comprising:

generating, by the wireless device, a synchronization request message for the dataset that includes a current wireless device dataset version number that identifies a wireless device version of the dataset that is maintained on the wireless device and a wireless device change list that identifies one or more changed data items in the wireless device dataset;

communicating, wirelessly by the wireless device, the synchronization request message to a network device;

receiving, wirelessly by the wireless device, in response to the communication of the synchronization request message, a synchronization confirmation message that includes a network device dataset version number that identifies a network device version of the dataset as maintained on the network device and a network device dataset change list that identifies one or more changed data items in the network device dataset, the one or more changed data items in the network device dataset being different than the one or more changed data items in the wireless device dataset; and

updating the wireless device dataset to reflect changes indicated by both the (i) wireless device change list and the (ii) network device dataset change list,

wherein the synchronization request message and the synchronization confirmation message are operable to provide synchronization based on a single round-trip of communication between the wireless device and the network device.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the generating further comprises:

verifying status of a change indicator for each data item in the wireless device dataset;

compiling the wireless device change list that includes the one or more changed data items in the wireless device dataset based on the change indicator for one or more of the data items in the wireless device dataset indicating a change; and

including the wireless device change list in the synchronization request message.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising changing the current wireless device dataset version number to the network device dataset version number if the network device dataset version number in the synchronization confirmation message differs from the current wireless device dataset version number.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the synchronization request message and the synchronization confirmation message are communicated via a lightweight, array-supporting, data-interchange carrier protocol.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the synchronization request message and the synchronization confirmation message are communicated via JavaScript Object Notation (JSON) protocol.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the synchronization confirmation message includes a synchronization status indicator chosen from the group consisting of a synchronization success indicator and a synchronization failure indicator.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the synchronization confirmation message includes the synchronization failure indicator, further comprising:

initiating full synchronization between the wireless device and the network device based on the synchronization failure indicator.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising:

communicating the current wireless device dataset to the network device;

receiving the network device dataset; and

changing the current wireless device dataset to the network device dataset.

9. At least one processor configured for synchronization of a dataset, comprising:

a first module for generating a synchronization request message for the dataset that includes a current wireless device dataset version number that identifies a wireless device version of the dataset that is maintained on a wireless device and a wireless device change list that identifies one or more changed data items in the wireless device dataset;

a second hardware module for communicating, wirelessly, the synchronization request message to a network device;

a third module for receiving, wirelessly, in response to the communication of the synchronization request message, a synchronization confirmation message that includes a network device dataset version number that identifies a network device version of the dataset as maintained on the network device and a network device dataset change list that identifies one or more changed data items in the network device dataset, the one or more changed data items in the network device dataset being different than the one or more changed data items in the wireless device dataset; and

a fourth module for updating the wireless device dataset to reflect changes indicated by both the (i) wireless device change list and the (ii) network device dataset change list,

wherein the synchronization request message and the synchronization confirmation message are operable to provide synchronization based on a single round-trip of communication between the wireless device and the network device.

10. A non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising:

at least one instruction for causing a computer to generate a synchronization request message for a dataset that includes a current wireless device dataset version number that identifies a wireless device version of the dataset that is maintained on a wireless device and a wireless device change list that identifies one or more changed data items in the wireless device dataset;

at least one instruction for causing the computer to communicate, wirelessly, the synchronization request message to a network device;

at least one instruction for causing the computer to receive wirelessly, in response to the communication of the synchronization request message, a synchronization confirmation message that includes a network device dataset version number that identifies a network device version of the dataset as maintained on the network device and a network device dataset change list that identifies one or more changed data items in the network device dataset, the one or more changed data items in the network device dataset being different than the one or more changed data items in the wireless device dataset; and

at least one instruction for causing the computer to update the wireless device dataset to reflect changes indicated by both the (i) wireless device change list and the (ii) network device dataset change list,

wherein the synchronization request message and the synchronization confirmation message are operable to provide synchronization based on a single round-trip of communication between the wireless device and the network device.

11. An apparatus, comprising:

means for generating a synchronization request message for a dataset that includes a current wireless device dataset version number that identifies a wireless device version of the dataset that is maintained on a wireless device and a wireless device change list that identifies one or more changed data items in the wireless device dataset;

means for communicating, wirelessly, the synchronization request message to a network device; and

means for receiving, wirelessly, in response to the communication of the synchronization request message, a synchronization confirmation message that includes a network device dataset version number that identifies a network device version of the dataset as maintained on the network device and a network device dataset change list that identifies one or more changed data items in the network device dataset, the one or more changed data items in the network device dataset being different than the one or more changed data items in the wireless device dataset; and

means for updating the wireless device dataset to reflect changes indicated by both the (i) wireless device change list and the (ii) network device dataset change list,

wherein the synchronization request message and the synchronization confirmation message are operable to provide synchronization based on a single round-trip of communication between the wireless device and the network device.

12. A wireless communication device, comprising:

a computer platform including a memory and at least one processor;

a dataset stored in the memory and including a plurality of data items; and

a synchronization module stored in the memory, executable by the at least one processor and operable to generate a synchronization request message for the dataset that includes a current wireless device dataset version number that identifies a wireless device version of the dataset that is maintained on the wireless communication device and a wireless device change list that identifies one or more changed data items in the wireless device dataset, communicate the synchronization request message to a network device, receive in response to the communication of the synchronization request message, a synchronization confirmation message that includes a network device dataset version number that identifies a network device version of the dataset as maintained on the network device and a network device dataset change list that identifies one or more changed data items in the network device dataset, the one or more changed data items in the network device dataset being different than the one or more changed data items in the wireless device dataset, and update the wireless device dataset to reflect changes indicated by both the (i) wireless device change list and the (ii) network device dataset change list,

wherein the synchronization request message and the synchronization confirmation message are operable to provide synchronization based on a single round-trip of communication between the wireless communication device and the network device.

13. The wireless communication device of claim 12, wherein the synchronization module is further operable to verify a status of a change indicator for each data item in the wireless device dataset, compile the wireless device change list that includes the one or more changed data items in the wireless device dataset based on the change indicator and including the wireless device change list in the synchronization request message.

14. The device of claim 12, wherein the synchronization module is further operable to change the current wireless device dataset version number to the network device dataset version number if the network device dataset version number in the synchronization confirmation message differs from the current wireless device dataset version number.

15. The wireless communication device of claim 12, wherein the synchronization module is further operable to receive the synchronization confirmation message wirelessly.

16. The wireless communication device of claim 12, wherein the synchronization request message and the synchronization confirmation message are communicated via a lightweight, array-supporting, data-interchange carrier protocol.

17. The wireless communication device of claim 16, wherein the synchronization request message and the synchronization confirmation message are communicated via JavaScript Object Notation (JSON) protocol.

18. The wireless communication device of claim 12, wherein the synchronization confirmation message further comprises a synchronization status indicator chosen from the group of indicators consisting of a synchronization success indicator and a synchronization failure indicator.

19. The wireless communication device of claim 18, wherein the synchronization confirmation messages includes the synchronization status indicator,

wherein the synchronizatino module is further operable to initiate full synchronization between the wireless communication device and the network device based on the synchronization failure indicator.

20. The wireless communication device of claim 19, wherein the synchronization module is further operable to:

communicate the current wireless device dataset to the network device;

receive the network device dataset in response to communicating the current wireless device dataset; and

change the current wireless device dataset to the network device dataset.

21. A method for synchronization of a dataset on a network device, the method comprising:

receiving, wirelessly, at the network device, a synchronization request message that includes a wireless device dataset version number that identifies a wireless device version of the dataset that is maintained on a wireless device and a wireless device change list that identifies one or more changed data items in the wireless device dataset;

comparing, by the network device, the wireless device dataset version number to a current network device dataset version number that identifies a network device version of the dataset as maintained on the network device;

compiling, by the network device, a network device dataset change list that identifies one or more changed data items if the comparison indicates that the wireless device dataset version number differs from the current network device dataset version number;

generating, by the network device, a synchronization confirmation message that includes the current network device dataset version number and the compiled network device dataset change list;

communicating, wirelessly by the network device, the synchronization confirmation message; and

updating the network device dataset to reflect changes indicated by both the (i) wireless device change list and the (ii) network device dataset change list,

wherein the synchronization request message and the synchronization confirmation message are operable to provide synchronization based on a single round-trip of communication between the wireless device and the network device.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein updating the network device dataset further comprises providing a deletion indicator for a set of data items that have been deleted on the wireless device dataset without deleting the set of data items from the network device dataset.

23. The method of claim 21, further comprising updating a data item version number based upon the change in the one or more changed data items, and updating the network device dataset version number to reflect the version number of a highest sequenced changed data item.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the synchronization confirmation message includes the updated network device dataset version number and the compiled network device dataset change list.

25. The method of claim 21, wherein the synchronization request message and the synchronization confirmation message are communicated via a lightweight, array-supporting, data-interchange carrier protocol.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein the synchronization request message and the synchronization confirmation message are communicated via JavaScript Object Notation (JSON) protocol.

27. The method of claim 21, wherein the network device is unaware of the wireless device dataset version number prior to receiving the synchronization request message.

28. The method of claim 21, further comprising:

changing at least a portion of the network device dataset; and

waiting until the synchronization request message is received before performing the communicating step which includes a changed portion of the network device dataset to the wireless device within the compiled network device dataset change list.

29. At least one processor configured for synchronization of a dataset, comprising:

a first hardware module for receiving, wirelessly, at a network device, a synchronization request message that includes a wireless device dataset version number that identifies a wireless device version of the dataset that is maintained on a wireless device and a wireless device change list that identifies one or more changed data items in the wireless device dataset;

a second module for comparing the wireless device dataset version number to a current network device dataset version number that identifies a network device version of the dataset as maintained on the network device;

a third module for compiling a network device dataset change list that identifies one or more changed data items if the comparison indicates that the wireless device dataset version number differs from the current network device dataset version number;

a fourth module for generating a synchronization confirmation message that includes the current network device dataset version number and the compiled network device dataset change list;

a fifth module for communicating, wirelessly, the synchronization confirmation message; and

a sixth module for updating the network device dataset to reflect changes indicated by both the (i) wireless device change list and the (ii) network device dataset change list,

wherein the synchronization request message and the synchronization confirmation message are operable to provide synchronization based on a single round-trip of communication between the wireless device and the network device without external conflict resolution.

30. A non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising:

at least one instruction for causing a computer to receive, wirelessly, at a network device, a synchronization request message that includes a wireless device dataset version number that identifies a wireless device version of the dataset that is maintained on a wireless device and a wireless device change list that identifies one or more changed data items in the wireless device dataset;

at least one instruction for causing the computer to compare the wireless device dataset version number to a current network device dataset version number that identifies a network device version of the dataset as maintained on the network device;

at least one instruction for causing the computer to compile a network device dataset change list that identifies one or more changed data items if the comparison indicates that the wireless device dataset version number differs from the current network device dataset version number;

at least one instruction for causing the computer to generate a synchronization confirmation message that includes the current network device dataset version number and the compiled network device dataset change list;

at least one instruction for causing the computer to communicate, wirelessly, the synchronization confirmation message; and

at least one instruction for causing the computer to update the network device dataset to reflect changes indicated by both the (i) wireless device change list and the (ii) network device dataset change list,

wherein the synchronization request message and the synchronization confirmation message are operable to provide synchronization based on a single round-trip of communication between the wireless device and the network device.

31. An apparatus, comprising:

means for receiving, wirelessly, at a network device, a synchronization request message that includes a wireless device dataset version number that identifies a wireless device version of a dataset that is maintained on a wireless device and a wireless device change list that identifies one or more changed data items in the wireless device dataset;

means for comparing the wireless device dataset version number to a current network device dataset version number that identifies a network device version of the dataset as maintained on the network device;

means for compiling a network device dataset change list that identifies one or more changed data items if the comparison indicates that the wireless device dataset version number differs from the current network device dataset version number;

means for generating a synchronization confirmation message that includes the current network device dataset version number and the compiled network device dataset change list;

means for communicating, wirelessly, the synchronization confirmation message; and

means for updating the network device dataset to reflect changes indicated by both the (i) wireless device change list and the (ii) network device dataset change list,

wherein the synchronization request message and the synchronization confirmation message are operable to provide synchronization based on a single round-trip of communication between the wireless device and the network device.

32. A network device, comprising:

a computer platform including a memory and at least one processor;

a dataset stored in the memory and including a plurality of data items;

a synchronization module stored in the memory, executable by the at least one processor and operable to receive a synchronization request message that includes a wireless device dataset version number that identifies a wireless device version of a dataset that is maintained on a wireless device and a wireless device change list that identifies one or more changed data items in the wireless device dataset, compare the wireless device dataset version number to a current network device dataset version number that identifies a network device version of the dataset as maintained on the network device, compile a network device dataset change list that identifies one or more changed data items if the comparison indicates that the wireless device dataset version number differs from the current network device dataset version number, generate a synchronization confirmation message that includes the current network device dataset version number and the compiled network device dataset change list, communicate, wirelessly, the synchronization confirmation message, and update the network device dataset to reflect changes indicated by both the (i) wireless device change list and the (ii) network device dataset change list,

wherein the synchronization request message and the synchronization confirmation message are operable to provide synchronization based on a single round-trip of communication between the wireless device and the network device.

33. The network device of claim 32, wherein the synchronization module is further operable to provide a deletion indicator for a set of data items that have been deleted on the wireless device dataset without deleting the set of data items from the network device dataset.

34. The network device of claim 32, wherein the synchronization module is further operable to update a data item version number based upon the change in the one or more changed data items and update the network device dataset version number to reflect the version number of a highest sequenced changed data item.

35. The network device of claim 34, wherein the synchronization confirmation message synchronization module includes the updated network device dataset version number and the compiled network device dataset change list.

36. The network device of claim 32, wherein the network device is unaware of the wireless device dataset version number prior to receiving the synchronization request message.