File Bifurcation for Storage Efficiency and Format Compatibility

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing online document storage systems face challenges with compatibility issues due to various file formats, leading to inefficient back-end processing and complex access to specific documents, as well as security and storage inefficiencies.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that bifurcates file content data from metadata for separate processing, converting content data into a common format for efficient back-end processing and storing metadata in a database for enhanced searchability and workflow management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If files are stored in their native formats, then file compatibility and user access are maintained, but storage space is wasted and security is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefile format compatibilityVSAvoidstorage space efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the file into two distinct components: metadata (stored in database 124) and content data (stored in data store 124). This segmentation allows the content data to be converted to a common compressed format for efficient storage, while the metadata preserves information about the original native format, enabling both storage efficiency and format compatibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a common format as an intermediary between the native format and the storage system. Content data is converted from various native formats to this common format for storage, and can be converted back to the original native format when needed. This intermediary format enables efficient storage while maintaining compatibility with multiple native formats.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If files are stored in their native formats, then original file characteristics are preserved, but back end processing becomes inefficient and security is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefile integrityVSAvoidback end processing efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the file into metadata and content data, the system can process the content data in an optimized common format while preserving the original file characteristics in the metadata. This enables efficient back-end processing operations on the content data without compromising the integrity of the original file structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the format parameter of the content data from various native formats to a common format optimized for processing. This parameter change enables more efficient back-end processing while the metadata retains information about the original format parameters, allowing the system to maintain file integrity when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If comprehensive file searching is implemented, then document accessibility is improved, but system complexity and processing time increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedocument accessibilityVSAvoidsearch system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the file information into structured metadata (stored in database 124) and content data. The metadata contains searchable information about the file, allowing the system to perform searches on the database without having to process the entire content data. This segmentation dramatically reduces search system complexity while improving document accessibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Loss of substance

If files are converted to common format, then storage efficiency and security are improved, but compatibility with native formats is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage space efficiencyVSAvoidnative format compatibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the file into metadata and content data, where the metadata preserves information about the original native format. This allows the content data to be stored in an efficient common format while the metadata maintains compatibility information, enabling the system to retrieve and process files in their original formats when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses the metadata as an intermediary that bridges the common format storage system and the native format requirements. The metadata contains information about the original native format, acting as a mediator that enables compatibility while the content data is stored in the efficient common format.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS8762325B2Processing of files for electronic content management

Publication Date: 2014.06.24 FOXIT CORP

AI summary

A file is received by for online storage and processing. Prior to storing, the file is bifurcated into content data and metadata for separate processing. The content data from uploaded files can be converted from a native format to a common format, and stored in a data store. The metadata from uploaded files can be stored in a database. When a request for the file is received, the file can be reassembled in the native format by converting the data content back to the native format and appending the metadata.