Digital Data Preservation With Format Transformation and Integrity Checks

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing digital preservation systems require significant expert user management and do not allow for format changes, leading to potential loss of access to digital data due to obsolete file formats and hardware obsolescence.

Innovation Solution

A computer-implemented method for automatically preserving digital data by processing it to generate structured data adhering to a predefined model, transforming formats, and storing unique identifiers for integrity verification, ensuring data accessibility and integrity over time.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If digital data is stored in current file formats, then data can be accessed and used currently, but data may become unreadable and lost when tools become obsolete over time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelong-term data accessibilityVSAvoiddata loss over time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by transforming data to future formats and embedding preservation information before the actual need arises. The automated preservation system proactively converts data to formats expected to be accessible in the future, rather than waiting for obsolescence issues to manifest.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the format parameters of digital data by transforming it into future-proof formats. The automated process modifies file formats, encoding schemes, and structural parameters to ensure compatibility with anticipated future tools and systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If elaborate preservation strategies are implemented, then data preservation capability is improved, but expert user management is required increasing complexity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata preservation capabilityVSAvoidexpert user management

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The preservation system operates autonomously without requiring expert user intervention. The automated system self-manages format transformation, quality assessment, and preservation strategy execution, eliminating the need for specialized knowledge to operate the preservation infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces manual expert operations with automated computational processes. Machine learning algorithms and automated transformation tools substitute for human expert judgment and manual preservation actions, reducing operational complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If data is transformed to future formats, then long-term accessibility is improved, but data processing and transformation resources increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefuture format compatibilityVSAvoiddata processing resources

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies partial transformation by converting only the essential structural elements of data to future formats while maintaining core content integrity. This selective approach reduces processing overhead compared to complete format reconstruction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The automated preservation system performs multiple functions simultaneously: format transformation, quality assessment, metadata generation, and verification. This multi-functionality consolidates multiple processing operations into a single integrated workflow, optimizing resource utilization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Ease of operation

If automated preservation is implemented, then ease of operation is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomated preservation operationVSAvoidpreservation system architecture

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system extracts and separates the complex preservation logic into independent modular components. The automated operation interface remains simple while the underlying complex transformation and verification processes are isolated as separate functional modules.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The preservation system is divided into discrete functional segments: data intake, format transformation, quality assessment, and verification. Each segment operates independently with well-defined interfaces, enabling automated operation while managing internal complexity through modular architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS12613831B2Data preservation

Publication Date: 2026.04.28 PRESERVICA LTD

AI summary

A computer-implemented method for automatically preserving data in a data preservation system. The method comprises receiving, by the data preservation system, first data to be preserved, the first data comprising one or more first constituent data. The method further comprises processing, by the data preservation system, each one of the one or more first constituent data to generate second data representing the received first data to be preserved. The second data comprises structured data adhering to a pre-defined data model and one or more second constituent data representing the one or more first constituent data. The method further comprises storing, by the data preservation system, the second data in the data preservation system for later retrieval.