Data Management Policy Classification for Cross-Device Storage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Managing data across multiple electronic devices of a user, such as desktop computers, notebook computers, and smartphones, is challenging due to the difficulty in accessing the latest document versions and performing data management tasks like backup, archiving, and legal holds across these devices and server systems.

Innovation Solution

Implementing multiple functional features in each electronic device for data management, including synchronization, backup, archiving, data retention policies, legal holds, and encryption, with a classifier to determine appropriate actions based on data item classification and a maintained data management policy, and utilizing a server system for additional data management functionalities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If data is stored locally on multiple electronic devices, then data accessibility and speed are improved, but data management complexity and storage efficiency deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata accessibilityVSAvoiddata management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a server system as an intermediary between multiple electronic devices and the data storage system. The server receives data from devices, applies classification and management policies, and handles backup/archiving operations centrally. This mediator approach allows devices to access data quickly without each device needing independent management capabilities, resolving the contradiction between fast local access and management complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If data is backed up to a separate storage system, then data protection is improved, but storage space consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata protectionVSAvoidstorage space consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies classification-based parameter changes to data, where different data items are assigned different retention policies, backup frequencies, and storage locations based on their classified categories. Frequently accessed important data remains in faster storage, while less critical data is archived to cheaper storage media. This dynamic parameter adjustment maintains data protection while optimizing storage space utilization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Quantity of substance

If data is archived to free up storage space, then storage efficiency is improved, but data retrieval time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage space efficiencyVSAvoiddata retrieval time

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary classification and policy assignment actions on data before archiving. The classification system pre-identifies which data items should be archived based on their category and usage patterns, and pre-configures retrieval policies. This preliminary action ensures that commonly needed archived data is prioritized for faster retrieval, reducing the time penalty associated with archiving while maintaining storage efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS8805779B2Applying an action on a data item according to a classification and a data management policy

Publication Date: 2014.08.12 MICRO FOCUS IP DEV

AI summary

A classifier classifies data to identify a class of the data. Based on the identified class, at least one action to apply to the given data item is determined according to the data management policy, where the data management policy specifies a plurality of actions to apply for different classes of data items.