Cloud Whiteboard Data Storage and Retrieval

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing whiteboard applications face security concerns and storage inefficiencies when data is stored locally, and offloading content to portable devices is cumbersome and inefficient, leading to slow interaction during collaborative sessions.

Innovation Solution

A method that involves storing whiteboard data on a computing system, displaying a login selector to identify users, and uploading data to a cloud-based storage system for secure and efficient storage and retrieval, allowing users to quickly access and share content across sessions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If whiteboard data is stored locally on the computing system, then data accessibility and speed are improved, but security concerns increase and local storage needs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata accessibilityVSAvoidsecurity
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the storage function from the local computing system and relocates it to a remote cloud-based storage system. The local system retains only temporary caching capabilities while the majority of whiteboard data is stored remotely, thereby improving security by removing sensitive data from vulnerable local environments while maintaining accessibility through networked cloud access.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a cloud-based storage system as an intermediary between users and whiteboard data. This intermediary layer provides secure centralized storage while enabling users to access data from multiple devices and locations, resolving the contradiction between local accessibility and centralized security by mediating through a secure cloud infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Speed

If whiteboard data is stored locally on the computing system, then data accessibility are improved, but local storage needs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata accessibilityVSAvoidlocal storage needs
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the bulk storage function from the local computing system and relocates it to a remote cloud-based storage system. The local system retains only temporary caching capabilities for active whiteboard sessions, dramatically reducing local storage requirements while maintaining accessibility through networked cloud access.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions storage from a single local dimension to a distributed cloud dimension accessible from multiple locations and devices. By moving storage to the cloud, the system enables access from any device with network connectivity, effectively adding spatial and temporal dimensions to data accessibility while minimizing local storage footprint.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Volume of stationary object

If content is offloaded to a portable storage device, then local storage needs are reduced, but operation complexity increases and interaction efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocal storage needsVSAvoidoperation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements automatic upload functionality where whiteboard data is automatically synchronized to the cloud-based storage system without requiring manual user intervention. The system self-manages the offloading process, eliminating the need for users to physically connect portable devices or navigate complex save dialogs, thereby reducing operation complexity while maintaining reduced local storage needs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary actions by automatically uploading whiteboard data to the cloud in the background during or immediately after whiteboard sessions. This preliminary automatic offloading eliminates the need for subsequent manual transfer operations, reducing both storage requirements and operational complexity by handling the transfer process proactively and automatically.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Volume of stationary object

If content is offloaded to a portable storage device, then local storage needs are reduced, but productivity decreases due to slow interaction

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocal storage needsVSAvoidinteraction efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of stationary objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements automatic synchronization that occurs in the background without interrupting user workflow. The system autonomously handles data upload and retrieval operations, eliminating the time users would spend manually managing portable storage devices while maintaining reduced local storage requirements, thereby preserving productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent maintains continuous access to whiteboard data through cloud-based storage, allowing users to seamlessly continue work across different devices and sessions without interruption for manual file transfers. This continuous access model eliminates productivity losses associated with manual offloading while keeping local storage needs minimal through efficient cloud synchronization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Data Source

PatentEP3143544B1Claiming data from a virtual whiteboard
Publication Date: 2020.06.03 MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING LLC
  • EP3143544B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1D
  • EP3143544B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP3143544B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

A method of storing data from a whiteboard application executed on a computing system including an interactive display device is provided. The method comprises storing, in a memory of the computing system, whiteboard data input to the whiteboard application in response to user interaction with the interactive display device, displaying a login selector on the interactive display device, upon detecting actuation of the login selector, identifying the user based on credentials of the user; and in response to identifying the user, (i) retrieving previews of stored whiteboard files from a user account in a cloud-based storage system corresponding to the identity of the user, (ii) displaying the previews on the interactive display device, and (iii) uploading the whiteboard data as a whiteboard file from the memory of the computing system to the user account.