Dropbox‘s patent involves a system and method for multi-tiered data synchronization, where data is synchronized between a master server, proxy servers, and client devices. The system determines the best connection for each client device and synchronizes files in real-time or with a delay. GlobalData’s report on Dropbox gives a 360-degree view of the company including its patenting strategy. Buy the report here.

According to GlobalData’s company profile on Dropbox, File server virtualization was a key innovation area identified from patents. Dropbox's grant share as of February 2024 was 84%. Grant share is based on the ratio of number of grants to total number of patents.

Multi-tiered data synchronization system for client devices

Source: United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Credit: Dropbox Inc

A recently granted patent (Publication Number: US11921595B2) outlines a computer-implemented method for synchronization systems. The method involves identifying a file to provide to a client device, determining the client device's communication connections with two servers, analyzing connection characteristics, and establishing a synchronization session based on connection ratings. The first server then provides the file to the client device during the session via the preferred communication connection. The patent also covers scenarios where the servers store copies of the file, and the client device can be a mobile device or a personal computer.

Furthermore, the patent includes details on connection characteristics such as speed, cost, and security, as well as the server configurations - a proxy server on a local network or intranet and a master server in a data center accessible via the internet. The method also involves providing metadata and revision information to the client device, maintaining file copies between servers, and handling synchronization requests for updated versions of the file. The patent extends to non-transitory computer-readable mediums storing instructions for executing the method and a system comprising a processor and a medium for identifying files, analyzing connections, and facilitating synchronization sessions based on connection ratings, ensuring efficient file transfers between servers and client devices.

To know more about GlobalData’s detailed insights on Dropbox, buy the report here.

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GlobalData Patent Analytics tracks bibliographic data, legal events data, point in time patent ownerships, and backward and forward citations from global patenting offices. Textual analysis and official patent classifications are used to group patents into key thematic areas and link them to specific companies across the world’s largest industries.