Content-Specific URLs for Robust Retrieval in Dynamic Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing URL fragment identifier schemes are inefficient and prone to linkrot, as they require complex regular expressions that are error-prone and difficult for end-users to create, and do not support non-trivial inexact matches or discrimination between match quality, leading to issues with long URLs and lack of uniqueness.
Innovation Solution
The development of content-specific URLs with fragment identifiers that use rolling n-gram hashes and canonical forms to efficiently create short URLs supporting inexact matches and quality discrimination, along with mechanisms for archival record retrieval and indirect hyperlinks to ensure content availability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional URL fragment identifier schemes are used, then content can be identified in documents, but the URLs become long and complex requiring regular expressions that are error-prone and difficult for end-users to create
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter representation from complex regular expressions to simple numeric position identifiers and content hashes. Instead of requiring users to create regex patterns, the system uses position-based identifiers (byte offsets) and content-based identifiers (hashes of the referenced text), dramatically simplifying the creation and use of fragment identifiers while maintaining precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent copies the actual content or its hash representation into the fragment identifier rather than requiring complex pattern matching. This allows the fragment identifier to directly represent the target content without needing regular expressions, making it easier for end-users to create and more reliable for matching.
2Reliability
If position-based fragment identifiers are used, then specific locations in documents can be referenced, but the identifiers become vulnerable to linkrot when documents are modified
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite fragment identifier that combines both position-based information (byte offsets, character positions) and content-based information (hashes of the referenced text). This composite approach ensures that even if the document structure changes (affecting position), the content hash provides a verification mechanism to detect modifications and prevent linkrot by identifying when the referenced content no longer exists at the specified position.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the fragment identifier includes information about the expected content (via hashes or position markers). When a fragment identifier is resolved, the system can verify whether the content at the specified position matches the expected content, providing feedback on the validity of the link and enabling detection of document modifications.
3Adaptability or versatility
If content-based fragment identifiers are used, then inexact matches and quality discrimination are supported, but the URLs become longer and more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements partial content matching by allowing fragment identifiers to reference portions of content rather than requiring exact full matches. The system supports prefix matching, suffix matching, and substring matching, enabling inexact matches and quality discrimination while keeping the fragment identifier length manageable by only including the necessary portion of content representation.
4Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If regular expression-based fragment identifiers are used, then pattern matching capability is provided, but they are error-prone and difficult for end-users to create
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes the mechanical regular expression pattern matching system with a simpler content-based identification system. Instead of requiring users to learn and construct regex patterns, the system uses direct content hashing and position-based identification, replacing complex pattern matching mechanics with simpler equality comparison and hash-based lookup operations that are much easier for end-users to create and use.
Data Source
AI summary
Content-specific URLs (CSURLs) are efficiently created to identify documents and intended visible content (Intended Content) within the documents that may be the whole of or only parts of the documents. The Intended Content of CSURLs can be affected, e.g. in the live web, by linkrot or content modification. Activation of CSURLs in conventional user agents (e.g. web browsers) results in automatic opening of underlying documents and/or offers to upgrade to a more capable user agent. Activation of CSURLs in a capable user agent result in automatic finding and distinguishing, e.g. by highlighting and scrolling, of matching content, which is robust in many circumstances wherein Intended Content has been non-trivially altered.