Embedding File Management Labels in Data Streams

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional records management systems fail to maintain associations between data files and file management labels when data files are propagated between systems or workloads, resulting in the loss of file management labels.

Innovation Solution

Embedding file management labels directly into the data file's stream, allowing the labels to persist even when the data file is copied or moved between different computing platforms, using a labeling module that writes label data into the data file's stream during save operations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If file management labels are stored in external databases, then label management is centralized and controllable, but labels are lost when data files are propagated between systems

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelabel persistenceVSAvoidsystem architecture

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the file management label with the data file itself by embedding label data directly into the file stream. This combination ensures that the label travels with the data file when propagated between systems, eliminating the reliability issue of external database storage while avoiding the complexity of distributed label management systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Adaptability or versatility

If file management labels are embedded in data files, then labels persist across system propagation, but external database access is eliminated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecross-system compatibilityVSAvoidlabel data

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by embedding the label data into the file stream before the data file is propagated. This ensures that when the file is copied or moved to different systems, the label information is already present and preserved, preventing any loss of label data during transmission

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If conventional records management systems are used, then label associations are maintained within single systems, but labels are lost during file propagation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelabel managementVSAvoidlabel association persistence

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements self-service by making the data file carry its own label information within the file stream. The file becomes self-sufficient regarding label management, automatically maintaining its label associations without requiring external database lookups or system-specific management infrastructure when propagated

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS10803093B2Systems and methods for enabling a file management label to persist on a data file

Publication Date: 2020.10.13 MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING LLC

AI summary

Techniques for labeling data files that enable a file management label to persist on a data file. Variations disclosed herein enable a file management label to be embedded within a data file so that the file management label propagates with the data file when the data file is copied and/or moved between systems and/or workloads. In some embodiments, an application may be configured to write the file management label directly into a stream of the data file. For example, an application client that is run locally on a client device may open the data file by accessing its corresponding stream. While the data file is open within the application client such that a user may edit content of the data file, the application client may be caused to associate the file management label with the data file. Ultimately, the application client may write this association directly into the stream.