Distributed Digital Asset Encryption and Metadata Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Centralized document management systems are costly, difficult to install, and require users to change their workflow, leading to issues with controlling digital assets outside the system, poor categorization, and lack of effective automated control over assets created and changed locally.
Innovation Solution
A distributed computing environment that encrypts digital assets, creates executable files with decryption code, and uses meta-data management to categorize and control access, allowing secure sharing and tracking of digital assets while maintaining user flexibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If centralized document management systems are used, then digital asset control and categorization are improved, but system cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the centralized document management system into distributed components where each user maintains local control of their digital assets through individual executable files. The categorization and control metadata are separated from the actual digital assets, allowing independent management. This segmentation eliminates the need for a single complex centralized server while maintaining asset control through distributed metadata tracking.
2Reliability
If centralized file control mechanisms are implemented, then digital asset management is improved, but user workflow flexibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by allowing users to maintain their own digital assets locally without requiring check-in/check-out procedures. Users can freely access, copy, and manage their files on local devices while the system automatically tracks metadata for categorization and control purposes. This eliminates workflow restrictions while maintaining management capabilities.
3Ease of operation
If digital assets are stored locally on user devices, then user access flexibility is improved, but centralized control and categorization capability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces metadata as an intermediary between local digital assets and centralized control requirements. Metadata files accompany digital assets locally, containing categorization information and control parameters. This intermediary enables centralized control policies to be enforced and tracked without requiring actual centralized storage, as the metadata serves as the control interface while assets remain distributed.
4Productivity
If automated categorization is implemented for digital assets, then information organization is improved, but system complexity and resource requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by automatically generating and attaching metadata with categorization information at the moment digital assets are created or imported. Rather than requiring subsequent categorization efforts, the system pre-establishes the organizational structure through automated metadata generation, eliminating the need for complex post-creation categorization processes.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for managing digital assets in a distributed computing environment are described. Meta-data for the digital assets is stored separately from the digital assets. Meta-data for some of the digital assets is copied and stored at a central location. Meta-data for the digital assets is generated by clients of the system. A method for providing secure restricted access to a digital asset includes: encrypting, by a first computing device, a digital asset; creating, by the first computing device, an executable file, the executable file comprising the encrypted digital asset, permission information associated with the digital asset, and executable code for decrypting and viewing the digital asset; creating, by the first computing device, a digital signature corresponding to the executable file; and transmitting, to a second computing device, the executable file and the digital signature. Corresponding systems and computer readable media with executable instructions are also described.