CN1864371B - Communication system and related method providing adaptive polling based on positive and negative polling events - Google Patents

Abstract

A communications system may include at least one data storage device for storing messages for respective users, and a plurality of mobile wireless communications devices each associated with a respective user for accessing the messages stored on the at least one data storage device. Moreover, the communications system may further include an adaptive polling engine for polling the at least one data storage device for stored messages and providing the polled messages to mobile wireless communications devices of respective users. The adaptive polling engine may advantageously learn respective user usage patterns for each mobile wireless communications device, and change a respective rate of polling for each mobile wireless communications device based thereon.

Description

Communication system and related method providing adaptive polling based on positive and negative polling events

technical field

The present invention relates to the field of communication systems, and more particularly to electronic information systems and related methods.

Background technique

E-mail boxes are used to store e-mail messages. E-mail is connected to the Internet to allow users to send and receive incoming and outgoing e-mail messages. These mailboxes can also be extended to deliver email to mobile wireless communication devices via the wireless network. As far as the company is concerned, the e-mail box is usually set on the company's mail server. On the other hand, the mailboxes of small businesses or individuals are usually set on the mail server where the Internet Service Provider (ISP) is located.

A mail user agent (MUA) uses a so-called polling technique to pass messages from a mail server to a mail program at the user's computer or mobile wireless communication device. A MUA is a program running on a user's personal computing device (mobile or fixed) or on a shared server that checks for new mail on behalf of a large number of these users. More specifically, polling is the retrieval of incoming messages from other users on the mail server and sending these messages to the user's mailbox.

Mailbox polling typically occurs at varying intervals or rates. Additionally, the mailbox polling rate can be customized. That is, companies and/or Internet service providers can vary the polling interval to best meet their particular needs. For example, since email for business communications is typically a high priority communication, the corporate mail server may be polled relatively regularly, such as every 1 or 2 minutes. On the other hand, ISP mailboxes are usually polled less frequently, such as once every 15 minutes.

Mailbox polling typically occurs synchronously on the mail server at predetermined intervals. Polls mailboxes on a server to send or receive messages, regardless of whether the mailbox has any new incoming or outgoing messages. In large systems, this traditional method of polling can consume significant server resources, thereby affecting performance.

More specifically, this resource consumption can be divided into two parts, resource consumption (RC) on the mail server (MS) and resource consumption on the MUA. The resource consumption on the RC or MS increases with the polling frequency, especially when the MUA is running on the mobile wireless device, the demand for resources is particularly high. This resource consumption and related performance impact is particularly sensitive when using mobile wireless communication devices. This is due to bandwidth limitations associated with the wireless network over which the mobile wireless communication device communicates with the mail server. For example, a mail server hosting thousands or more mailboxes may need to transmit message data to hundreds or even thousands of mobile wireless communication devices after each polling interval. This can severely clog wireless networks and cause significant service delays. Also, some mail servers may not be well suited to support this usage model.

Therefore, traditional mailbox polling cannot be performed well when one or more of the following conditions are met, these conditions are: (1) polling a large number of mailboxes; (2) polling frequency is high; (3) ) the MUA is on a network with slow and/or expensive connections to the MS; (4) the accumulated polling workload may overwhelm the capacity of the network. One existing approach for solving this problem is adaptive polling. Adaptive polling is a smarter way of polling mailboxes based on triggering events. More specifically, adaptive polling automatically changes a user's polling interval based on a triggering event.

As an example, U.S. Patent No. 6,557,026 describes a system for converting information from a text format to an audio format in which the information is sent from a server to a client device via a wired or wireless communication link. Specifically, the information relates to "stories," such as news headlines, stock quotes, and the like. The server includes a data source monitor that periodically polls the data source based on a polling scheduler to check for new reports. The patent specifically mentions that the polling schedule could include an adaptive scheduler that increases the polling frequency as new reports arrive. Additionally, the adaptive scheduler reduces the polling rate as the rate of new reported arrivals decreases. For example, a static scheduler is also included to provide hourly polling during business hours.

Despite the existence of such systems, further improvements in polling techniques are desired to accommodate the growing use of mobile wireless communication devices to access electronic messages.

Contents of the invention

In view of the foregoing background, it is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a communication system and related method capable of providing enhanced adaptive polling techniques.

This and other objects, features and advantages according to the present invention are provided by a communication system which may comprise: at least one data storage device for storing messages of respective users; a plurality of mobile wireless Communication devices, each mobile wireless communication device associated with a respective user, for accessing messages stored on at least one data storage device. Additionally, the communication system may include an adaptive polling engine for polling at least one data storage device storing messages and providing the polled messages to mobile wireless devices of corresponding users. The adaptive polling engine can advantageously learn the respective user usage patterns of each mobile wireless communications device and vary the respective polling rate of each mobile wireless communications device based on the user usage patterns.

As an example, user usage patterns may be based on time of day and/or day of week. Additionally, the adaptive polling engine can vary the polling rate for each mobile wireless communication device based on at least one positive polling event and at least one negative polling event. For example, said at least one negative polling event includes a lack of authorized communication with an adaptive polling engine, which may be when a given mobile wireless communication device is located outside a wireless coverage area, or provides an invalid of user registrations.

Additionally, the at least one negative polling event may be a decrease in message storage for the corresponding user on the at least one data storage device. Similarly, the at least one polling event may be an increase in the storage of messages for the corresponding user on the at least one data storage device, and an increase in requests for access to messages from the designated mobile wireless communication device.

Specifically, the message may eg be an electronic mail (e-mail) message. The communication system may also include a wireless network for interfacing the mobile wireless communication device with the adaptive polling engine. For example, a wide area network (WAN) such as the Internet can be applied to link the mobile wireless communication device and the adaptive polling engine.

A method aspect of the present invention is to provide a method of connecting a plurality of mobile wireless communication devices with at least one data storage device, each mobile wireless communication device being associated with a respective user. The at least one data storage device may be used to store messages of the corresponding user. The method may include polling at least one data storage device storing messages, and providing the polled messages to a mobile wireless communication device of a corresponding user. Additionally, the method can include learning a respective user usage pattern for each mobile wireless communications device, and changing a respective polling rate for each mobile wireless communications device based on the user usage pattern.

An adaptive polling engine according to the present invention may be used to interface a plurality of mobile wireless communication devices, each mobile wireless communication device being associated with a respective user, with at least one data storage device. The at least one data storage device may be used to store messages of the corresponding user. The adaptive polling engine may include: an interface module for connecting the adaptive polling engine with a mobile wireless communication device; and an adaptive polling engine module connected to the interface module. The adaptive polling engine module is operable to poll at least one data storage device storing messages and provide the polled messages to a corresponding user's mobile wireless communication device. Additionally, the adaptive polling engine module can learn a respective user usage pattern for each mobile wireless communication device and change a respective polling rate for each mobile wireless communication device based on the user usage pattern.

A computer readable medium according to the present invention may similarly include an interface module and an adaptive polling engine module having features such as those briefly described above.

Description of drawings

Fig. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a communication system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an adaptive polling method according to the present invention.

Fig. 3 is a schematic block diagram of an exemplary mobile wireless communication device as applied to the present invention.

Detailed ways

The invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. However, this invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, so that those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that this disclosure will fully convey the scope of the invention. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.

Referring first to FIG. 1 , a communication system 100 illustratively includes a plurality of mobile wireless communication devices 101 and a wireless network 102 and a wide area network 104 (such as the Internet) for connecting the mobile communication devices to an adaptive polling engine Or the server 105 is connected. The adaptive polling engine 105 communicates with a plurality of data servers 110 such as a mail server 112 , an application server 112 and a web server 114 . Of course, although only three servers 112, 114, and 116 are shown in the illustrated example for clarity of illustration, a greater number of data servers 110 and 116 may be used, as will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art. Various types of data servers.

Mobile wireless communication device 101 is illustratively in two-way communication with adaptive polling engine 108 over wireless network 102 and Internet 104, as understood by those of ordinary skill in the art. Also as understood by those of ordinary skill in the art, in all embodiments, the mobile wireless communication device 101 may not require the Internet 104 to perform communications with the adaptive polling engine 108 . As examples, the mobile wireless communications device may be a personal digital assistant (PDA), a cellular telephone, a laptop computer with a wireless modem, and the like. An exemplary mobile wireless communication device 101 suitable for use with the present invention is described in the example provided below with reference to FIG. 3 .

Adaptive polling engine 108 illustratively includes an interface module, such as firewall module 106 , to provide secure communications between mobile wireless communication device 101 and data server 110 . The adaptive polling engine also illustratively includes an adaptive polling engine module for performing adaptive polling operations, which will be discussed more below. As an example, as understood by those of ordinary skill in the art, the adaptive polling engine 105 can be implemented in the form of one or more company or ISP servers, and the firewall module 106 and the adaptive polling engine module 108 can be implemented in the form of It is implemented in the form of software modules (ie, these modules can be located on different servers).

Adaptive polling engine module 108 determines different adaptive polling rates for different users based on their respective user usage profiles. The adaptive polling engine module 108 initially monitors the mail polling interval of the mail server 110 . As understood by those of ordinary skill in the art, the adaptive polling engine module 108 can also be configured to poll services and events from other data servers, such as the application server 114 and the Web server 116 .

For new emails, the adaptive polling engine module 108 uses adaptive polling to automatically poll user mailboxes set on the mail server 112 . As an example, system 100 may be configured to poll mailboxes at least once every 15 minutes, although other start-up intervals may also be used. However, if the adaptive polling engine module 108 detects new activity in the end user's mailbox, the polling interval is preferably shortened so that new emails are provided to the user in near real time.

Specifically, the adaptive polling engine module 108 queries the mail server 112 for a list of current messages and compares the list with previous polling results stored in a database (not shown). If a new message is located, a copy is retrieved from a given server or client network (eg, America Online (AOL)). The newly updated message list is then stored in the database.

The adaptive polling process according to the present invention is demonstrated in FIG. 2 . At block 201, the process (block 200) begins with the adaptive polling engine module 108 acting on its initial polling state 201 (ie, using a default polling interval). Adaptive polling engine module 108 triggers polling of mail server 112 (block 202), which checks for incoming and outgoing mail. At block 204, the result triggers an event, which at block 206 is classified as a positive or negative polling event. Event status is broadcast from a given mobile wireless communications device 101 to adaptive polling engine module 108 over wireless network 102 and Internet 104 .

Specifically, at block 208, a positive event increases the polling interval, and at block 210, a negative event decreases the polling interval. Once the event type is determined, the adaptive polling engine module 108 will operate in its new polling state. If there is additional activity, a new poll is triggered (block 202), and the process flow repeats itself.

A positive polling event is any action that increases the polling interval, that is, the polling engine 108 will poll the mail server 112 more frequently due to the positive event. Examples of positive events include a new message arriving in a mailbox, and a user checking a message in his mobile wireless communication device. A negative polling event is any action that would reduce the polling interval. That is, the adaptive polling engine module 108 will poll the mail server 112 less frequently (ie, reduce the polling rate) based on negative events.

As an example, a negative polling event may include a lack of authorized communication (i.e., authentication failure) with the adaptive polling engine module 108, such as an invalid registration or invalid password confirmation to connect to a mailbox on the mail server 112, or a given mobile wireless The communication device 101 is located outside the wireless coverage area.

For mobile wireless communication devices, one significant advantage of using the adaptation engine module 108 is that it saves bandwidth. More specifically, based on positive or negative polling events, the adaptive polling engine module 108 will increase or decrease the polling rate accordingly. If the mobile wireless communication device 101 receives some negative events, the adaptive polling engine module 108 will reduce the polling interval and poll the mail server 112 less frequently, resulting in reduced utilization of the wireless network 102 . Once a positive event is received, the adaptive polling engine module 108 will return to an increased polling interval.

An additional benefit of the communication system 100 is that a perception of better performance may be provided to the user. That is, email messages will appear to arrive at the mobile wireless communication device 101 more quickly. For example, if the default polling interval is once every 15 minutes, and users frequently receive new messages (positive events), the adaptive polling engine module 108 may increase the polling interval to once every 1 to 2 minutes. With this increased polling rate, messages will be sent to user devices more quickly, which provides a perception of better and faster performance.

Based on specific users and their usage patterns, the adaptive polling engine module 108 can include a module that can be based on the time of day, day of the week, and/or heuristics of prior usage activity at that time to learn and adapt to the user's usage patterns. Adaptive polling engine module 108 can learn a user's routines and automatically configure polling of their mobile devices. For example, a busy user can set the adaptive polling engine module 108 to be a positive event first thing in the morning (i.e., increase the polling rate) so that all his incoming messages are downloaded, and another set before he wraps up his day. A positive event, and the time after work until sunrise is set to a negative event (i.e., reduces the rate of polling).

example

An exemplary handheld mobile wireless communication device 1000 applicable to the present invention will be further described below with reference to FIG. 3 . The device 1000 includes a housing 1200 , a keyboard 1400 and an output device 1600 . The displayed output device is display screen 1600, which is preferably a full graphics LCD. Other types of output devices may alternatively be used. The processing device 1800 is contained inside the housing 1200 and is connected between the keyboard 1400 and the display screen 1600 . The processing device 1800 controls the operation of the display screen 1600 and all operations of the mobile device 100 in response to the user's keystrokes on the keyboard 400 .

Housing 1200 may be vertically elongated, or may take other sizes and shapes (including clamshell housing configurations). The keypad may include a mode selection key, or other hardware or software for switching between text entry and intercom.

In addition to the processing device 1800 , other parts of the mobile device 1000 are schematically shown in FIG. 3 . These components include communication subsystem 1001; short-range communication subsystem 1020; keyboard 1400 and display screen 1600 along with other input/output devices 1060, 1080, 1100, and 1120; and storage devices 1160, 1180 and various other device subsystems 1201. Mobile device 1000 is preferably a two-way RF communication device with voice and data communication capabilities. In addition, mobile device 1000 preferably has the capability to communicate with other computer systems via the Internet.

Operating system software executed by processing device 1800 is preferably stored in persistent storage, such as in flash memory 1160, but may also be stored in other types of storage, such as in read-only memory (ROM) or similar storage device. Additionally, system software, device-specific applications, or portions thereof may be temporarily stored in volatile storage, such as in read-only memory (RAM) 1180 . Communication signals received by the mobile device may also be stored in RAM 1180.

In addition to performing its operating system functions, processing device 1800 is also capable of executing software applications 1300A- 1300N on device 1000 . During manufacture, a predetermined set of applications that control basic device operations, such as data and voice communications 1300A and 1300B, may be installed on device 1000 . Additionally, a Personal Information Manager (PIM) application may also be installed during the manufacturing process. Preferably, the PIM is capable of organizing and managing data items and task items, such as emails, calendar events, voicemails, appointments. Preferably, the PIM application is also capable of sending and receiving data items via the wireless network 1401 . Preferably, via the wireless network 1401, the PIM data items are seamlessly combined, synchronized or updated with stored device user corresponding data items or device user corresponding data items associated with the host computer system.

Communication functions including data and voice communication are performed through the communication subsystem 1001, and may be performed through the short-range communication subsystem. Communication subsystem 1001 includes receiver 1500 , transmitter 1520 , and one or more antennas 1540 and 1560 . In addition, the communication subsystem 1001 also includes processing modules such as a digital signal processor (DSP) 1580 , and a local oscillator (LO) 1601 . The specific design and implementation of the communication subsystem 1001 depends on the communication network in which the mobile device 1000 is intended to operate. For example, mobile device 1000 may include a communication subsystem 1001 designed to operate with Mobitex ^™ , Data TAC ^™ , or General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) mobile data communications networks, and also designed to interface with various Operate with any of the voice communication networks, such as AMPS, TDMA, CDMA, PCS, GSM, and the like. Mobile device 1000 may also utilize other types of data and voice networks, both separate and integrated.

Network access requirements vary depending on the type of communication system. For example, in the Mobitex, Data TAC network, mobile devices are registered on the network using a unique personal identification number or PIN associated with each device. However, in a GPRS network, network access is associated with the client or user of the device. GPRS devices therefore require a Subscriber Identity Module, commonly referred to as a SIM card, in order to operate on the GPRS network.

When required network registration or activation procedures are completed, the mobile device 100 can send and receive communication signals over the communication network 1401 . The signal received by the antenna 1540 from the communication network 1401 is transmitted to the receiver 1500, and the receiver 1500 provides signal amplification, frequency down-conversion, filtering, channel selection and other operations, and it can also provide analog/digital conversion. Analog/digital conversion of the received signal allows the DSP 1580 to perform more complex communication functions such as demodulation and decoding. In a similar manner, the signals to be transmitted to the network 1401 are processed (e.g., modulated and encoded) by the DSP 1580, and then provided to the transmitter 1520 for digital/analog conversion, frequency up-conversion, filtering, amplification, and transmission via the antenna 1560 to the communication network 1401 (or network).

In addition to processing communication signals, DSP 1580 also provides control of receiver 1500 and transmitter 1520. For example, through an automatic gain control algorithm implemented in DSP 1580, the gain applied to the communication signal in receiver 1500 and transmitter 1520 can be adaptively controlled.

In the data communication mode, received signals such as text messages or web page downloads are processed by the communication subsystem 1001 and input to the processing device 1800 . The received signal is then further processed by the processing device 1800 for output to the display screen 1600 or alternatively to some other auxiliary I/O device 1060 . The device user can also compose data items such as email messages by using the keyboard 1400 and/or some other auxiliary I/O device 1060, such as a touchpad, rocker switch, or some other type of input device , Roller. The composed data item may then be sent over the communication network 1401 via the communication subsystem 1001 .

In the voice communication mode, the entire operation of the device is substantially similar to that in the data communication mode, except that a received signal is output to the speaker 1100 and a transmitted signal is generated through the microphone 1120 . And alternative voice or sound I/O subsystems may be implemented on device 1000, such as a voice message recording subsystem. In addition, the display screen 1600 can also be used in the voice communication mode, for example, to display the identification of the calling party, the duration of the voice call, or other information related to the voice call. The short-range communication subsystem enables communication between the mobile device 1000 and other proximate systems or devices, which need not necessarily be similar devices. For example, a short-range communication subsystem may include an infrared device and associated circuits and components, or a Bluetooth ^™ communication module to provide communication with similar activation systems and devices.

Many modifications and other embodiments of the inventions will come to mind to one of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the inventions are not to be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed and that modifications and embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims (14)

1. communication system comprises:

At least one data storage device is used to store the message of relative users;

A plurality of mobile radio communication devices, each mobile radio communication device is associated with corresponding user, is used to visit the message of storing on described at least one data storage device;

The adaptive polling engine, it is used for described at least one data storage device of poll storing message, and the message of poll is offered the mobile radio communication device of relative users;

Described adaptive polling engine is based at least one positive poll event and at least one negative poll event, change corresponding poll rate at each mobile radio communication device, described at least one positive poll event comprises that relative users checks the message on the corresponding mobile radio communication device, and described at least one negative poll event comprises the authorized communication that lacks with described adaptive polling engine.

2. communication system as claimed in claim 1, wherein lacking authorized communication with described adaptive polling engine and be the outside that is positioned at wireless coverage area with given mobile radio communication device is basis.

3. communication system as claimed in claim 1, the authorized communication that wherein lacks with described adaptive polling engine is to be registered as basis with invalid user.

4. communication system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at least one negative poll event also comprises: at least one data storage device at the minimizing of the message stores of relative users.

5. communication system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at least one positive poll event comprises: at least one data storage device at the increase of the message stores of relative users.

6. communication system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at least one positive poll event comprises: from the increase of the message access requests of given mobile radio communication device.

7. adaptive polling engine, be used for a plurality of mobile radio communication devices and at least one data storage device are joined, each mobile radio communication device is associated with corresponding user, described at least one data storage device is used to store the message of relative users, and described adaptive polling engine comprises:

Interface module is used for communicating with mobile radio communication device;

The adaptive polling engine modules links to each other with described interface module, is used at least one data storage device of poll storing message, and the message of poll is offered the mobile radio communication device of relative users;

Described adaptive polling engine modules is based at least one positive poll event and at least one negative poll event, change corresponding poll rate at each mobile radio communication device, described at least one positive poll event comprises that relative users checks the message on the corresponding mobile radio communication device, and described at least one negative poll event comprises the authorized communication that lacks with described adaptive polling engine.

8. adaptive polling engine as claimed in claim 7, wherein lacking authorized communication with described adaptive polling engine and be the outside that is positioned at wireless coverage area with given mobile radio communication device is basis.

9. adaptive polling engine as claimed in claim 7, the authorized communication that wherein lacks with described adaptive polling engine is to be registered as basis with invalid user.

10. adaptive polling engine as claimed in claim 7, wherein said at least one positive poll event comprises: from the increase of the message access requests of given mobile radio communication device.

11. one kind is used for method that a plurality of mobile radio communication devices and at least one data storage device are joined, each mobile radio communication device is associated with corresponding user, described at least one data storage device is used to store the message of relative users, and described method comprises:

At least one data storage device of poll storing message, and the message of poll is offered the mobile radio communication device of relative users;

Change corresponding poll rate based at least one positive poll event and at least one negative poll event at each mobile radio communication device, described at least one positive poll event comprises that relative users checks the message on the corresponding mobile radio communication device, and described at least one negative poll event comprises the authorized communication that lacks with given mobile radio communication device.

12. method as claimed in claim 11, wherein lacking authorized communication and be the outside that is positioned at wireless coverage area with given mobile radio communication device is basis.

13. as the method for claim 11, wherein lacking the communication of having authorized is to be registered as basis with invalid user.

14. method as claimed in claim 11, wherein said at least one positive poll event comprises: from the increase of the message access requests of given mobile radio communication device.

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