WO2003084136A1

WO2003084136A1 - Selectively routing data through a path based on connectivity conditions and parameters

Info

Publication number: WO2003084136A1
Application number: PCT/US2003/009431
Authority: WO
Inventors: John Friend
Original assignee: Good Technology, Inc.
Priority date: 2002-03-27
Filing date: 2003-03-26
Publication date: 2003-10-09
Also published as: AU2003218430A1

Abstract

A data communication system. The system (1) includes a plurality of electronic devices (104), a communication interface (102), and a plurality of data selectors (106). The communication interface (102) connects the electronic devices (104) together to provide data link between the devices, where the data link is defined by connectivity conditions and parameters. Each data selector (106) is coupled to an electronic device. The data selector selects (106) and routes different amounts and types of data depending on states of the connectivity conditions and parameter.

Description

SELECTIVELY ROUTING DATA THROUGH A PATH BASED ON CONNECTIVITY CONDITIONS AND PARAMETERS

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a data communication system. More particularly, the invention relates to selectively routing data through a data path in such a data communication system based on connectivity conditions and parameters .

2. Prior Art

Data synchronization involves the process of taking two different stores of data, comparing them to identify differences, and applying changes to one or both to make the data identical. Thus, data stored on a desktop computer may be synchronized with data stored on a palmtop or handheld device through a synchronization inter ce link in the data communication system. Add-on connectivity solutions often provide the interface link for the handheld devices. Accordingly, the interface link may include a path through a modem, a parallel port, a serial port, or a cradle assembly connected to the host computer. Further, various wireless communication techniques, such as radio or infrared communication, may also be used as interface links.

However, one of the problems encountered by the current generation of handheld devices and their add-on connectivity solutions is that the solutions rely on batch mode rather than real-time oriented approaches to data coherency. Because the desktop and the handheld device typically become disconnected and incommunicado when the user switches to mobile configuration, the data synchronization problem becomes difficult:. [2 SENTENCES DELETED]

Because data coherency is a real-time problem, a real-time solution that avoids data conflicts by shortening the time between synchronization events is needed. Therefore, it is desirable to have a small handheld computer system capable of operating certain personal information type software, such as calendars, telephone directories and to do lists, as well as simplified versions of desktop application software, and sharing data with a desktop computer, with all the data utilized by a substantial number of programs being dynamically synchronized to alleviate the data coherency problem. Further, real-time synchronization events may occur over wireless communication network to alleviate the data coherency problem.

However, these devices, and the software applications running on these devices, do not communicate particularly well with one another and are typically not designed with data synchronization in mind. Accordingly, data communication between these devices may not execute efficiently under different network conditions and dynamically changing parameters.

SUMMARY

The present invention, in one aspect, describes a data communication system. The system includes a plurality of electronic devices, a communication interface, and a plurality of data selectors. The communication interface connects the electronic devices together to provide data link between the devices, where the data link is defined by connectivity conditions and parameters. Each data selector is coupled to an electronic device. The data selector selects and routes different amounts and types of data depending on states of the connectivity conditions and parameters .

In another aspect, the present invention describes a method for selectively routing data through a particular communication link. The method includes determining a state of a particular connectivity condition or parameter of a communication link among electronic devices, and selectively routing data based on the state of the particular connectivity condition or parameter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 illustrates a data communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a block diagram of the synchronization selector in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 3 shows a technique for selectively and dynamically routing data through a particular communication link based on changing connectivity conditions and parameters, as well as user priorities according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figures 4A and 4B illustrate specific ways in which the state of the connectivity condition/parameter may be determined, and the way in which the data may be selectively routed based on that determination. Figure 5 is a .block diagram of a processor-based system which may execute codes residing on the computer readable medium.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In recognition of the above-stated challenges associated with prior art designs of data communication among electronic devices, the present invention describes embodiments for selectively and dynamically routing data through a path based on changing connectivity conditions and parameters, as well as user priorities. Specifically, the present embodiments are illustrated using examples of data synchronization. However, the present invention is applicable to data communication among these devices for purposes other than data synchronization. Consequently, for purposes of illustration and not for purposes of limitation, the exemplary embodiments of the invention are described in a manner consistent with such use, though clearly the invention is not so limited.

FIG. 1 illustrates a data communication system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The data communication system 100 includes a plurality of electronic devices 104, 110 connected through an interface link 102. In some embodiments, the electronic devices 104, 110 include desktop computers and wireless handheld devices, such as personal digital assistants (PDA) and pagers. In other embodiments, the electronic devices 104, 110 include servers and electronic appliances. In the illustrated embodiment, the interface link 102 provides data communication path for transmission and reception of data between these electronic devices 104, 110 for the purpose of synchronization. However, the interface link 102 may provid.e data path for purposes other than data synchronization. Further, each electronic device 104 or 110 in the data communication system 100 also includes a data selector 106 or 108, which selectively and dynamically routes data through the system 100 based on changing connectivity conditions, parameters, and user priorities. The connectivity conditions and parameters may include a data traffic condition, an available data bandwidth, a type of network link, and other parameters. In one embodiment, the data selector 106, 108 includes a synchronization selector. In another embodiment, the data selector 106, 108 includes a selector to provide efficient path and time to do wireless upgrade.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the synchronization selector 200 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The synchronization selector 200 includes parameter-based data routing elements 202, 204, 206, 208 which selects and routes different amounts and types of data through different links depending on the condition or the state of the data connectivity parameters or user priorities. The selection and routing may also depend on other factors such as the level of processing power available for synchronization or the best value for a communication link at a particular time ( e . g. bandwidth cost) . Thus, the data routing elements may include a data traffic element 202, a bandwidth element 204, a network link element 206, and other parameters element 208.

For example, the data traffic element 202 may selectively transmit large files or messages during off-peak transmission hours, while only essential messages are transmitted during peak transmission hours. Similarly, the network link element 206 may selectively transmit data depending on what type of network link is available. When local area network (LAN) , which may be cheaper to use, is available, more extensive tasks may be performed or transmitted over the network. Moreover, an application update may be done only when the device in is the cradle to execute update at high data rate. As discussed above, the other parameters element 208 may be configured to select appropriate data for synchronization depending on the level of processing power available for synchronization, the best value for a communication link at a particular time, or any other factors.

FIG. 3 shows a technique for selectively and dynamically routing data through a particular communication link based on changing connectivity conditions and parameters, as well as user priorities, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The technique includes determining the state of a particular connectivity condition or parameter, at 300. The data is then selectively routed, at 302, based on the determined state of the parameter. If there are more conditions and parameters to be examined (at 304) , the states of those conditions and parameters may further be determined.

FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate specific ways in which the state of the connectivity condition/parameter may be determined, and the way in which the data may be selectively routed based on that determination. For example, at 400, the state of the data traffic condition is determined. If the determination indicates peak transmission hours, only the essential data or message is synchronized, at 402. Otherwise if the determination indicates off-peak transmission hours, other non-essential data or messages may be synchronized during this period, at 404.

Similarly, at 410, the state of the available data bandwidth is determined. If the determination indicates low bandwidth, only the essential/short data or message is synchronized, at 412. Otherwise if the determination indicates high bandwidth, other non-essential data or messages may be synchronized during this period, at 414.

At 420, the type of network link is determined. If the determination indicates a wireless wide area network (WAN) link, only the essential/short data or message is synchronized, at 422. Otherwise if the determination indicates a wireless local area network (LAN) link, other non-essential data or messages may be synchronized during this period, at 424. In one embodiment, the wireless LAN link may include Bluetooth connection. In another embodiment, the wireless LAN link may include IEEE 802.11b connection. Furthermore, if the determination indicates a presence of a cradle assembly connection, then more data- intensive tasks, such as application updates, may be performed to take advantage of the high data rate connection. However, in a further embodiment, application updates may be done wirelessly using the bandwidth selection technique (e.g. doing application updates during off-peak periods) .

The selective data routing technique may also include determining the state of other parameters and connectivity conditions, at 430. The amount of data transmitted over the transmission link is appropriately selected and synchronized (at 432) based on the determination of the state of these other parameters. FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a processor-based system 500 which may execute codes residing on the computer readable medium 502. The codes are related to the techniques for selectively and dynamically routing data through a particular communication link based on changing connectivity conditions and parameters, as well as user priorities, described in conjunction with FIGS. 1 through 4B. In one embodiment, the computer readable medium 502 may be a fixed medium such as read-only memory (ROM) or a hard disk. In another embodiment, the medium 502 may be a removable medium such a floppy disk or a compact disk (CD) . A read/write drive 506 in the computer 504 reads the code on the computer readable medium 502. The code is then executed in the processor 508. The processor 508 may access the computer memory 510 to store or retrieve data.

There has been disclosed herein embodiments for selectively and dynamically routing data through a particular communication link based on changing connectivity conditions and parameters, as well as user priorities. Thus, either the essential data/messages only or other non-essential data/messages may be synchronized depending on the state of these parameters .

While specific embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, such descriptions have been for purposes of illustration only and not by way of limitation. Accordingly, throughout this detailed description, for the purposes of explanation, numerous specific details were set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that the embodiments may be practiced without some of these specific details. For example, although only two or three states for each parameter or condition have been enumerated, the parameter may be enumerated into more states. For example, the data traffic condition may be divided into many different states indicating different levels of congestion in the data link, and provide different amounts of data to be transmitted or synchronized for each state. In other instances, well- known structures and functions were not described in elaborate detail in order to avoid obscuring the subject matter of the present invention. Accordingly, the scope and spirit of the invention should be judged in terms of the claims which follow.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. A data communication system, comprising: a plurality of electronic devices; a communication interface connecting said plurality of electronic devices to provide data link between said plurality of electronic devices, said data link defined by connectivity conditions and parameters; and a plurality of data selectors, each data selector coupled to an electronic device, said each data selector operating to select and route different amounts and types of data depending on states of said connectivity conditions and parameters.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said plurality of electronic devices includes a desktop computer.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein said plurality of electronic devices includes a handheld device.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein said handheld device is a wireless personal digital assistant (PDA) .

5. The system of claim 1, wherein said communication interface includes a synchronization link to provide data communication path for synchronization of data among said plurality of electronic devices.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein said each data selector includes a synchronization selector.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein said each data selector includes a selector to provide efficient path and time to do wireless upgrade.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein said synchronization selector includes a plurality of parameter state determiners .

9. The system of claim 8, wherein said plurality of parameter state determiners includes a data traffic condition determiner.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein said plurality of parameter state determiners includes a data bandwidth determiner.

11. The system of claim 8, wherein said plurality of parameter state determiners includes a network link condition determiner.

12. The system of claim 8, wherein said plurality of parameter state determiners includes a determiner that determines bandwidth cost .

13. A method, comprising: determining a state of a particular connectivity condition or parameter of a communication link between a plurality of electronic devices; and selectively routing data based on said state of a particular connectivity condition or parameter.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein said selectively routing data includes synchronizing data residing within said plurality of electronic devices.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein said selectively routing data includes dynamically selecting amount of data to be transmitted on said communication link based on said state of a particular connectivity condition or parameter.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein said selectively routing data includes dynamically selecting type of data to be transmitted on said communication link based on said state of a particular connectivity condition or parameter.

17. The method of claim 13, wherein said determining a state of a particular connectivity condition or parameter includes determining a state of data traffic condition on said communication link.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising: synchronizing only essential data when the state of data traffic condition indicates a peak transmission hour.

19. The method of claim 17, further comprising: synchronizing data including non-essential data when the state of data traffic condition indicates a off-peak transmission hour.

20. The method of claim 13, wherein said determining a state of a particular connectivity condition or parameter includes determining a state of data bandwidth on said communication link.

21. The method of claim 20, further comprising: synchronizing only essential data when the state of data bandwidth indicates a low bandwidth.

22. The method of claim 20, further comprising: synchronizing data including non-essential data when the state of data bandwidth indicates a high bandwidth.

23. The method of claim 13, wherein said determining a state of a particular connectivity condition or parameter includes determining a state of network link on said communication link.

24. The method of claim 23, further comprising: synchronizing only essential data when the state of network link indicates a wide area network (WAN) connection.

25. The method of claim 23, further comprising: synchronizing all data when the state of network link indicates a local area network (LAN) connection.

26. The method of claim 23, further comprising: synchronizing all data including data-intensive tasks when the state of network link indicates that at least one of said plurality of electronic devices is in a cradle assembly.

27. A computer readable medium containing executable instructions which, when executed in a processing system, causes the system to selectively route data through a particular communication link based on changing connectivity conditions and parameters, comprising : determining a state of a particular connectivity condition or parameter of a communication link between a plurality of electronic devices; and selectively routing data based on said state of a particular connectivity condition or parameter.

28. The medium of claim 27, wherein said selectively routing data includes synchronizing data residing within said plurality of electronic devices.

29. The medium of claim 27, wherein said selectively routing data includes dynamically selecting amount of data to be transmitted on said communication link based on said state of a particular connectivity condition or parameter.