Content Providing Device for Network Storage Backup

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for providing contents via networks often result in altered data that is not easily accessible in their original form, and there is a need for efficient data backup solutions when primary storage devices are unavailable, especially considering the varying capabilities of devices such as PDAs, smartphones, and PCs.

Innovation Solution

A system and method that includes a content providing device modifying original contents to suit receiving devices, generating metadata with location information for accessing original contents, and a data backup system that transfers data to available storage devices via a network when primary devices are unavailable.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If original contents are provided via network for use, then accessibility of original contents is improved, but device compatibility becomes problematic due to varying resolution and codec capabilities

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccessibility of original contentsVSAvoiddevice compatibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments content delivery into two parts: modified contents (transcoded and resized) are provided for immediate viewing on various devices, while location information of original contents is stored separately. This allows devices to access appropriately formatted content without requiring all devices to support all original content formats.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system introduces an intermediary mechanism (content providing device) that receives original contents, modifies them according to device capabilities, and provides both the modified contents and location information. This intermediary handles the compatibility translation between different device requirements and original content formats.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of manufacture

If contents are transcoded or resized for webpage display, then ease of uploading and displaying contents is improved, but loss of original content quality and accessibility occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of uploading contentsVSAvoidoriginal content quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system creates modified copies of original contents (transcoded and resized versions) for webpage display, while preserving the original contents stored at a known location. Users can access the high-quality original copies when needed, eliminating the loss of information while maintaining ease of display.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary modification of contents into multiple formats and resolutions before uploading, storing both the modified versions for immediate use and the original versions for later retrieval. This preliminary action prevents quality loss during display while maintaining original quality availability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If data is backed up to primary storage device, then backup reliability is improved, but system fails when primary storage device is unavailable

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebackup reliabilityVSAvoidbackup availability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The backup system dynamically selects storage devices based on availability. When the primary storage device is unavailable, the system automatically switches to alternative storage devices connected to the network. This dynamic adaptation maintains backup reliability while accommodating changing system conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system prepares multiple storage devices as backup options in advance. When the primary storage device becomes unavailable, the system can immediately use pre-configured alternative storage devices, cushioning against the failure without interruption to the backup process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

4Manufacturing precision

If high quality original contents are stored, then content quality is improved, but storage capacity requirements increase for devices with limited capacity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontent qualityVSAvoidstorage capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies local quality by providing different quality levels of content to different devices based on their capabilities. High-quality original contents are stored on network storage devices with sufficient capacity, while modified lower-quality versions are provided to devices with limited storage capacity, optimizing both quality and storage efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3402170B1Method and system for image upload and image sharing via a communications network
Publication Date: 2020.04.01 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP3402170B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3402170B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3402170B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

Provided are methods and apparatuses for providing contents via a network, in which original data of contents provided via a network can be traced, and contents that are modified according to performance of a contents receiving device is provided. Location information of original contents is added to metadata of contents provided via the network to thereby increase convenience of access to the original contents and modify attributes of contents that are provided, to be suitable for the performance of the contents receiving device.