Object-Swapping for Resource-Constrained Devices

Mobile devices are still memory-constrained when compared to desktop and laptop computers. Thus, in some circumstances, even while occupied by useful objects, some memory must be freed. This must be performed while preserving referential integrity in object-oriented applications and without permanently losing data. We propose a novel approach to object swapping in constrained devices, that favors portability and avoids most of the requirements of the previous approaches. Objects are incrementally replicated to devices in groups (clusters) of adaptable size. When there is shortage of memory, the middleware detaches the objects belonging to selected clusters from the application graph. It maintains graph correctness (via proxy replacement objects), and stores the swapped objects (in XML-format) in any nearby device with wireless connectivity and available storage. Nearby devices do not require any specific VM or middleware. They simply must be able to store and provide XML text. This approach is suited to an envisioned future in which there will be a myriad of small memory-enabled devices with wireless connectivity, scattered all-over, available to any user either to store data or to relay communications.