Application Server Mediator for Remote File Access
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing data management systems require users to download and locally install various software applications to access different types of data files, which is resource-inefficient and impractical for mobile devices with limited capacity or memory.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that allows users to access data files stored on a remote server through an application server, which provides the necessary application to open and edit files without the need for local installation, by sending metadata-and-content requests to verify and update the latest version of the file.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If users download data files from remote server to local computer, then users can open and edit files using locally installed software, but this consumes significant storage space and bandwidth resources
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an application server as an intermediary between the remote storage server and the user device. The application server hosts applications that can directly access and process files on the remote storage server without requiring file downloads to the user device. This mediator enables file operations while avoiding local storage consumption.
2Adaptability or versatility
If users locally install dedicated software applications, then users can open and edit specific types of data files, but this increases device resource requirements and is impractical for mobile devices
Solution Approach 1:
The application server provides a universal platform that hosts multiple different applications capable of handling various file types. Instead of requiring users to install multiple specialized applications on their devices, the application server offers multi-functional access to different file types through a single interface, reducing device complexity while maintaining versatility.
3Productivity
If the application server caches the latest version of data files, then users can access updated files without downloading from remote server, but this increases memory usage at the application server
Solution Approach 1:
The application server implements selective caching by storing only the latest version of each data file in its cache, rather than caching all versions or all files. This local quality approach optimizes memory usage by maintaining only the essential cached copy needed for rapid access, while still providing fast file access functionality.
Data Source
AI summary
A first request to create a folder to organize data files that are to be stored at a third-party storage server is received at an application server and from a user device. Responsive to receiving the first request to create the folder, a second request indicating that the folder is to be created at the third-party storage server is sent by the application server and to the third-party storage server. An indication that the folder has been created at the third-party storage server is received from the third-party storage server. Responsive to receiving the indication that the folder has been created at the third-party storage server, an instance of the folder is generated by the application server.