Ephemeral Message Storage Controller with Logical Disk Partitioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing messaging systems lack control over electronic messages after they are received, as senders lose control over how recipients handle messages, leading to potential retention beyond intended periods, which can compromise security and privacy.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a system for processing and storing ephemeral messages that automatically delete after a specified period or upon detection of a triggering event, using a remote server with a storage controller that partitions storage into logical disks with assigned future times for efficient deletion and minimization of storage overhead.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If messages are stored in a traditional message store, then recipients can access messages, but senders lose control over message retention and deletion timing
Solution Approach 1:
The storage system is divided into multiple logical disks, each with a specific future time when it will be deleted. This segmentation allows the server to track and control message retention periods systematically, enabling senders to specify exact deletion times while maintaining organized storage management.
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-assigns deletion times to logical disks before messages are stored. By determining future deletion times in advance and organizing messages accordingly, the system automates the deletion process without requiring continuous manual intervention, thus maintaining sender control while reducing operational complexity.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If ephemeral messages are automatically deleted after a specified period, then privacy and security are improved, but storage efficiency and management complexity are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The storage controller automatically manages the deletion process by monitoring logical disks with assigned future deletion times. The system self-regulates message retention and deletion without requiring manual intervention, ensuring privacy and security through automated ephemeral message management while reducing operational burden.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where the storage controller continuously monitors the status of logical disks and their assigned deletion times. This feedback loop enables automated deletion scheduling and storage optimization, balancing privacy protection with efficient storage management.
3Ease of operation
If messages are retained beyond intended periods, then accessibility is improved, but security and privacy control are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts message retention based on sender-specified parameters. Messages are accessible during their intended retention period and then automatically deleted, providing flexibility in accessibility while ensuring security through time-bound retention. This dynamic approach allows recipients to access messages when needed while preventing unauthorized long-term retention.
Data Source
AI summary
A storage controller processes electronic messages by partitioning a storage device into logical disks and designating a logical disk as unavailable based on its storage capacity being fully used. A time is assigned to each logical disk that is available for writing, and an estimated deletion time is determined for an electronic message. The electronic message is stored in a logical disk that is identified by comparing the assigned times of the logical disks to the estimated deletion time of the electronic message. The electronic message may be deleted based on the detection of a triggering event. If a deletion of a message results in an unavailable logical disk having more than a threshold amount of unused storage capacity, then each of the electronic messages stored in the unavailable logical disk may be copied to a logical disk available for writing and the unavailable designation may be removed from the logical disk.