Cached content consistency management

A client device, comprising:

• a processor;
• a memory coupled to the processor, the memory including a cache;
• one or more instructions embodied in memory for execution by the processor, the instructions being configured to implement a method for cached content consistency management, the method comprising:
• a) sending an update token value to a distribution server;
• and
• b) deleting one or more content assets from the cache in response to an instruction from the distribution server;
• and/or
• c) updating the content assets stored in the cache following receipt of an update signal from the distribution server.

In a distribution server, a computer implemented method for managing consistency of content assets stored in a cache on a client device, the method comprising:

• a) receiving an update token value from a client device;
• b) identifying one or more content assets stored in the cache using the update token value and an update table stored in a memory associated with the distribution server;
• c) determining whether a potential conflict exists between any of the one or more assets stored in the cache and any of one or more assets in an update list determined from a current update token value and the update table;
• and
• d) if it is determined at c) that a conflict exists, determining a resolution to the conflict that involves deleting one or more potentially conflicting assets from the cache, and sending an instruction to the client device to delete the one or more conflicting assets and/or
• e) notifying the client device to proceed with an update of the content assets if it is determined at c) that no potential conflict exists.

A distribution server, comprising:

• a processor;
• a memory having embodied therein an update table;
• and
• one or more instructions embodied in memory for execution by the processor, the instructions being configured to implement a method for managing consistency of content assets stored in a cache on a client device, the method comprising:
• a) receiving an update token value from a client device;
• b) identifying one or more content assets stored in the cache using the update token value and an update table stored in a memory associated with the distribution server;
• c) determining whether a potential conflict exists between any of the one or more assets stored in the cache and any of one or more assets in an update list determined from a current update token value and the update table;
• and
• d) if it is determined at c) that a conflict exists, determining a resolution to the conflict that involves deleting one or more potentially conflicting assets from the cache, and sending an instruction to the client device to delete the one or more conflicting assets and/or
• e) notifying the client device to proceed with an update of the content assets if it is determined at c) that no potential conflict exists.

In a system having one or more client devices and a distribution server configured to communicate with the one or more client devices over a network, method for managing consistency of content assets stored in a cache on a client device, the method comprising:

• a) sending an update token value for the client device to the distribution server;
• b) identifying one or more content assets stored in the cache using the update token value and an update table stored in a memory associated with the distribution server;
• c) determining with the distribution server whether a potential conflict exists between any of the one or more assets stored in the cache and any of one or more assets in an update list determined from a current update token value and the update table;
• and
• d) if it is determined at c) that a conflict exists, determining a resolution to the conflict that involves deleting one or more potentially conflicting assets from the cache, sending an instruction from the distribution server to the client device to delete the one or more conflicting assets, and deleting one or more potentially conflicting content assets from the cache with the client device in response to the instruction from the distribution server;
• and/or
• e) sending an update signal from the distribution server to the client device if it is determined at c) that no potential conflict exists, wherein the update signal is configured to permit the client device to proceed with an update of the content assets;
• and
• f) updating the content assets stored in the cache.

A cached content constancy management system, comprising:

• a distribution server, having a memory with an update table embodied therein;
• and
• a client device having a cache,
• wherein the client device and distribution server are configured to communicate with each other over a network;
• wherein the distribution server is configured to:
• 1) receive an update token value from the client device;
• 2) identify one or more content assets stored in the cache using the update token value and the update table;
• 3) determine whether a potential conflict exists between any of the one or more assets stored in the cache and any of one or more assets in an update list determined from a current update token value and the update table;
• and either
• 4) if it is determined at 3) that a conflict exists, determine a resolution to the conflict that involves deleting one or more potentially conflicting assets from the cache, and sending a delete instruction to the client device instructing the client device to delete the one or more conflicting assets.
• 5) send an update signal to the client device instructing the client device to proceed with an update of the content assets if it is determined at 3) that no potential conflict exists;
• or
• wherein each client device is configured to,
• a) send the update token value to a distribution server;
• and either
• b) delete one or more content assets from the cache in response to the delete instruction from the distribution server;
• or
• c) update the content assets stored in the cache upon receipt of the update signal from the distribution server.