Cross-Application Data Retrieval via Tagging Metadata

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Solution Overview

Problem

In electronic devices, users face inconvenience when searching for data across multiple applications, as each application stores data separately, requiring users to load specific applications to access data, which can be time-consuming and inefficient.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a method to tag data with user information such as phone numbers, names, or email addresses, allowing data retrieval across applications using a contact application, which stores and manages tagging data in a separate storage area, enabling seamless data retrieval and search functionality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If data is stored separately in each application's storage area, then data storage organization is maintained, but data retrieval efficiency deteriorates as users must load specific applications to access data

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata retrieval efficiencyVSAvoiddata storage structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments data storage by introducing a dual-layer structure: application-specific storage areas maintain data organization by application, while a separate tagging data storage area stores cross-application metadata. This segmentation allows efficient retrieval without compromising storage organization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces tagging data as an intermediary layer between application storage areas and the user interface. This tagging data contains search keywords and metadata that enable cross-application data retrieval without requiring users to load individual applications, thus improving efficiency while maintaining the existing storage structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Loss of time

If users load specific applications to access data, then data security and application context are maintained, but time consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetime to access dataVSAvoiddata access convenience
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary actions by storing tagging data and search keywords in advance during data storage operations. This pre-processing creates an index structure that enables rapid data retrieval without requiring users to load applications, significantly reducing access time while maintaining operational simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If tag information is stored across multiple applications, then data search functionality is enhanced, but data management complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata search functionalityVSAvoiddata management system
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts tagging information and metadata from individual application storage areas and stores them separately in a dedicated tagging data storage area. This extraction enables enhanced cross-application search functionality while simplifying data management, as the tagging system becomes independent of individual application structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP2690567B1Method for managing data and an electronic device thereof
Publication Date: 2020.03.18 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP2690567B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2690567B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2690567B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A data storage and retrieval method of an electronic device is provided. More particularly, an apparatus and a method for retrieving data through a contact application in the electronic device are provided. The method for retrieving data in the electronic device includes generating tagging data including added tag information when data is stored in the electronic device by executing a first application, storing the tagging data, updating a tagging data table which contains tagging data information, executing a second application, and when a search word for data retrieval is input, retrieving and outputting tagging data including the same tag information as the search word.