Cross-Device File Connection Using Shared Metadata and Local Access
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional file connection methods rely on cloud storage, leading to privacy risks, high costs, and inefficient data transfer, and do not support cross-application file sharing without complex user operations.
Innovation Solution
A file connection method that stores metadata across devices, allowing cross-device and cross-application access by determining the last-accessed device and location, using cache files for data transfer, and managing permissions without cloud reliance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If file is stored in cloud, then file access is enabled across devices, but privacy leakage risk increases and use costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the file storage function from cloud servers and places it directly on terminal devices. Each device stores files locally in its file system, eliminating the need to upload files to cloud storage. This extraction resolves the contradiction by enabling cross-device access through local metadata sharing while avoiding privacy risks and costs associated with cloud storage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces metadata as an intermediary element that enables cross-device file access without storing actual file data in the cloud. Metadata contains file information and location data, allowing devices to locate and access files on other devices through peer-to-peer communication, thus avoiding direct cloud storage dependency.
2Adaptability or versatility
If file is obtained from cloud, then file access is enabled, but data transfer speed is slow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates local copies of file metadata on each terminal device. Instead of retrieving files from remote cloud servers, devices use stored metadata to directly locate and access file copies on peer devices. This copying approach eliminates network latency associated with cloud retrieval and enables faster local peer-to-peer file access.
3Ease of operation
If device information and read location information are stored in server, then file connection is implemented, but cross-application file connection cannot be implemented
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal metadata structure that can be shared across different applications and device types. The metadata format is designed to be application-agnostic, allowing any application on any device to read and utilize the metadata for file access. This universality enables cross-application file connection by providing a common interface that transcends application boundaries.
4Adaptability or versatility
If cloud storage is used, then file sharing is enabled, but connection costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables devices to serve themselves as file storage and access points. Each device maintains its own file system and metadata, allowing other devices to directly access files without requiring cloud storage infrastructure. This self-service approach eliminates cloud storage fees and reduces connection costs by establishing direct peer-to-peer file sharing channels between devices.
Data Source
AI summary
A file connection method and apparatus, terminal device, and storage medium are provided. The file connection method is applied to a file system. The file system includes a plurality of devices. Metadata of a target file is separately stored in metabases of the plurality of devices. The method includes: A current device determines a device that accesses the target file last time, a device in which the file is located, and a connection record based on the stored metadata of the target file, and the current device obtains file data of the target file from at least one of the device that accesses the target file last time and the device in which the file is located; and the current device displays to-be-displayed content based on at least one of the connection record of the target file and the file data of the target file.