Active Folders Automate File Events via Directory Boss Daemon

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional storage systems lack a centralized mechanism for monitoring file events, requiring applications to actively request and monitor data, leading to increased resource intensity and time consumption in processing large volumes of data.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of active folders with associated attributes that trigger specific actions based on file events, utilizing a Directory Boss Daemon to execute intermediary applications and automate tasks such as file sharing, resizing, and resource allocation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If applications actively request and monitor data in conventional storage systems, then data can be retrieved, but resource intensity and time consumption increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata retrieval capabilityVSAvoidresource intensity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of applications actively requesting and monitoring data (conventional approach), the system inverts the approach by having the storage system proactively monitor file events and automatically notify or act upon changes. The Directory Boss Daemon continuously watches folders for file events and triggers actions without applications needing to poll or request data, thus reducing application resource consumption while maintaining data retrieval capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The storage system provides self-service by automatically monitoring file events and executing actions through the Directory Boss Daemon. Applications do not need to actively monitor or request data; the system serves itself by detecting file events and triggering appropriate actions autonomously, reducing the resource burden on applications while ensuring data is retrieved and processed when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If applications actively monitor large volumes of data, then relevant information can be found, but time consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinformation retrieval capabilityVSAvoidtime consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary action by proactively monitoring file events and preparing data for retrieval before applications need it. The Directory Boss Daemon continuously watches for file events and pre-processes or notifies about changes, so when applications need information, it is already prepared and available, eliminating the need for time-consuming active monitoring and searches.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback by having the Directory Boss Daemon continuously monitor file events and provide real-time notifications to applications or trigger automatic actions. This feedback mechanism ensures applications are immediately informed of relevant data changes without needing to actively poll or search through large volumes of data, significantly reducing time consumption while maintaining reliable information retrieval.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Ease of operation

If manual intervention is used for file processing tasks, then control is maintained, but productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol capabilityVSAvoidprocessing efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables self-service by automatically detecting file events through the Directory Boss Daemon and executing predefined actions without requiring manual intervention. Applications and users define the actions in advance, and the system autonomously processes files based on detected events, maintaining control through predefined rules while dramatically improving processing efficiency and productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary action by requiring users to pre-configure action rules and parameters before file processing begins. Once configured, the Directory Boss Daemon automatically executes these predefined actions when file events occur, eliminating the need for manual intervention during processing while maintaining control through the预先设定的 rules, thus significantly enhancing productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Extent of automation

If centralized file monitoring is implemented, then automation is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefile event automationVSAvoidsystem architecture complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system introduces an intermediary component, the Directory Boss Daemon, that handles centralized file monitoring and action triggering. This intermediary layer simplifies the architecture by centralizing monitoring logic in a dedicated component that interfaces between the file system and applications, automating file event processing while managing system complexity through clear separation of concerns and standardized communication protocols.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS9594602B1Active folders

Publication Date: 2017.03.14 IOMEGA

AI summary

A method, article of manufacture, and apparatus for storing information in folders is disclosed. In some embodiment, this comprises performing a setup process, determining an application and a trigger event based on the results of the setup process, and assigning the determination to a folder stored in a storage device. In some embodiments, a setup process includes gathering information from an email service provider, or other web services provider. In some embodiments, the setup process may gather information on a local application.