Collection Folder with Role-Based Access Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional online storage systems face challenges in collecting files from multiple submitters without requiring the collector to access individual folders, ensuring submitters do not view each other's submissions, and preventing malicious or plagiarized content.

Innovation Solution

A computer-implemented method and system that allows collectors to create a customizable collection folder with limited submitter rights, enabling file requests, malicious content detection, plagiarism scanning, and facial/object recognition, while allowing administrators to monitor and control file submissions and privileges.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a teacher provides a single online storage folder for all students to submit homework, then file collection efficiency is improved, but students can access and view each other's submissions which creates privacy issues

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefile collection efficiencyVSAvoidunauthorized access to submissions
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements role-based access control where different user roles (collector, submitter, viewer) have different permission levels. Submitters can upload files but cannot view other submitters' files, while collectors have full access. This local quality differentiation resolves the contradiction by allowing efficient centralized collection while preventing unauthorized access through role-specific permissions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary access control system that mediates between submitters and the collection folder. The system acts as a gatekeeper, allowing file uploads while blocking view access to other submitters' files. This intermediary mechanism enables efficient file collection without direct peer-to-peer access between submitters.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a teacher creates individual folders for each student to prevent access to others' submissions, then privacy protection is improved, but the system complexity and overhead increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveunauthorized access to submissionsVSAvoidfolder management overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple individual student folders into a single centralized collection folder. Instead of creating separate folders for each student, the system consolidates all submissions into one location with role-based access control. This merging approach maintains privacy protection while eliminating the complexity of managing multiple individual folders.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a universal collection folder that serves multiple functions simultaneously: it collects files from multiple submitters, prevents unauthorized access between submitters, and provides centralized management for collectors. This multi-functional approach replaces the need for multiple specialized individual folders.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If submitters are given full access rights to the collection folder, then ease of operation is improved, but malicious or plagiarized content cannot be prevented

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefile submission processVSAvoidcontent integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements automated content verification mechanisms that scan and analyze uploaded files for malicious code and plagiarism. The system provides feedback by detecting and flagging problematic content, allowing collectors to review and reject inappropriate submissions while maintaining an easy upload process for submitters.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements automated scanning and detection systems that self-verify uploaded content without requiring manual intervention from collectors. The system automatically detects malicious code and plagiarism, providing preliminary content validation that maintains reliability while keeping the submission process simple for users.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3284032B1Collection folder for collecting file submissions via a customizable file request
Publication Date: 2024.09.04 DROPBOX INC
  • EP3284032B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3284032B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP3284032B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A content management system for collecting files from one or more submitters in a collection folder. A collector, who generates the collection folder, can invite one or more submitters to submit one or more files to the collection folder via a customizable file request. The one or more submitters have limited rights to the collection folder. The limited rights can include uploading rights and prohibiting a submitter from viewing files that other submitters associated with the collection folder submitted. Thus, the collection folder is able to store files from the one or more submitters, but prevent them from viewing other's submissions.