File Kinship Tracking via Directed Graph Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
As people use multiple computing devices to create and share multimedia content, it becomes difficult to track which versions of files are on different devices, leading to confusion and disorganization.
Innovation Solution
A system that determines kinship between electronic files across multiple devices by analyzing operational relationships and similarities through bit-level and content-level analysis, creating a kinship directed graph to track and propagate updates, ensuring that related files are identified and synchronized across the network.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple computing devices are used to create and share multimedia content, then content creation and sharing capabilities are improved, but tracking and managing file versions across devices becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring file system calls and operational commands across multiple devices, automatically detecting when files are copied, moved, or modified, and propagating kinship relationship updates back to all devices in real-time, ensuring consistent version tracking information
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a kinship tracking system as an intermediary layer between multiple computing devices and their file systems. This intermediary captures file operations through file system monitors, analyzes operational commands, and maintains kinship directed graphs that mediate the relationship between files across devices, enabling automatic version tracking without user intervention
2Quantity of substance
If file versions accumulate across multiple devices over time, then content availability is improved, but organization and tracking become difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the complex problem of multi-device file tracking into manageable components: file system monitor modules on each device, operational command analyzers, kinship relationship databases, and update propagation mechanisms. Each component handles a specific aspect of the tracking process, making the overall system organized and maintainable
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a new dimension to file management by creating kinship directed graphs that represent files as nodes and operational relationships as directed edges. This graphical dimension transforms traditional flat file listing into a multi-dimensional structure showing provenance, copy relationships, and version hierarchies across devices, enabling intuitive visualization and tracking
3Reliability
If manual tracking of file versions is attempted, then some level of control is achieved, but time and effort are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements self-service by automatically monitoring file operations through file system calls, detecting kinship relationships without user intervention, and propagating updates across devices autonomously. The kinship tracking system serves itself by continuously analyzing operational commands and maintaining version information without requiring manual user actions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary action by establishing kinship relationships and version tracking structures in advance through automatic file system monitoring. When files are copied or moved, the system has already captured the operational command and created the appropriate kinship graph structure, so version information is ready before users need to access or manage files
Data Source
AI summary
Kinship between electronic files among personal networked devices may be ascertained between the files by determining an operational relationship between the files and with a similarity measurement.