File Folder Transmission via Directory Structure Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing instant messaging software lacks a convenient and efficient method for transmitting file folders over networks, leading to resource-intensive zipping and unzipping processes or tedious file-by-file transmission, which can be error-prone and inefficient, especially with large folders and poor network conditions.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that generates a directory structure file for the file folder, allowing for the determination of which files need to be transmitted, and uses a network data transmission channel to send only the necessary files, with a breakpoint resume mechanism for stable transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If zipping and compressing files in a file folder before transmission, then transmission speed is improved and technical implementation cost is reduced, but for large file folders, zipping and unzipping become time-consuming and occupy large amounts of CPU, hard disk and memory resources
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the file folder transmission process into two independent parts: (1) generating and transmitting a directory structure file that describes the folder hierarchy and file information, and (2) transmitting only the actual file data. This segmentation allows the directory structure to be processed separately from the file contents, reducing the need for resource-intensive compression operations on large datasets while maintaining efficient transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the directory structure information from the file folder and transmits it separately as a standalone directory structure file. This extraction allows the recipient to reconstruct the folder hierarchy without receiving or processing the actual file contents through compression, thereby reducing CPU, memory, and hard disk resource occupancy while maintaining transmission efficiency.
2Ease of manufacture
If sending files in a file folder one after one, then technical implementation cost is low, but user operations become extremely tedious and waste large amounts of time and energy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple individual file transmissions into a single unified transmission process by using a directory structure file to describe the entire file folder hierarchy. Instead of transmitting files one by one, the system transmits the directory structure once and then transmits file data in an organized manner, significantly reducing the number of user operations required while maintaining low technical implementation costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary action by generating and transmitting the directory structure file before transmitting the actual file data. This preliminary step organizes the transmission process and allows the recipient to prepare for receiving files in the correct directory structure, reducing the need for manual file-by-file operations and improving user convenience without increasing technical complexity.
3Productivity
If using existing file transmission methods, then transmission can be completed, but network interruptions may terminate connection and cause difficulties in recovering previous transmission
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by transmitting the directory structure file before transmitting the actual file data. This directory structure file serves as a roadmap that allows the transmission process to be resumed from where it left off after network interruptions, improving reliability by enabling easy recovery without requiring complete re-transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the directory structure file provides information about the expected file hierarchy and transmission status. This feedback allows the system to track which files have been successfully transmitted and which need to be re-transmitted after network interruptions, enabling reliable recovery of the transmission process.
4Productivity
If the depth of sub-directory is exceedingly deep, then file organization is detailed, but storage failure occurs at recipient due to Windows maximum limit of 260 letters for directory length
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a directory structure file as an intermediary that describes the file folder hierarchy without requiring the actual deep directory paths to be created on the recipient's system. This intermediary contains the path information in a controlled format, allowing detailed file organization to be represented while avoiding the Windows 260-character path length limitation that would occur with actual deep directory creation.
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed are a method and a system for transmitting a file folder from the sending end to the receiving end. The system uses a file folder transmission unit at the sending end side to generate a directory structure file of the file folder. The directory structure file may have properties such as the size of the file folder, paths and path lengths of the files in the file folder. The sending end then sends the directory structure file to the receiving end through the file folder transmission unit to allow the system to determine which files in the file folder need to be transmitted. The needed files in the file folder are then transmitted to the receiving end according to the determination. The sending end and the receiving end may communicate using an instant messaging tool. The disclosed method and system allow a faster and more convenient file folder network transmission.