File Reference Association in Electronic Communications
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic communication systems face difficulties in providing search, retrieval, and other functionalities for files shared as references, rather than attachments, as the file content is not directly incorporated in the communication, making it hard to access and associate relevant electronic communications with the file.
Innovation Solution
A system and method where a file reference is stored as a file node in a data store, associated with a file identifier, allowing access to the file content and metadata, and creating a message node for electronic communications, enabling search and retrieval of files even when the content is not directly included in the communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If file content is shared as a reference rather than an attachment, then storage efficiency and communication speed are improved, but search and retrieval functionality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism (file reference association system) that connects electronic communications with file references stored in a file service. The system creates associations between message nodes and file nodes in a graph database, enabling search functionality without storing file content directly in communications. This intermediary layer resolves the contradiction by maintaining reference-only storage while enabling efficient search through the association graph.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent moves the search capability from the communication dimension to the data store dimension. Instead of searching within communication content, the system creates a separate dimensional space (graph database with file nodes and message nodes) where associations are stored and queried. This dimensional transformation allows efficient search and retrieval without compromising the reference-based storage approach.
2Volume of moving object
If file content is shared as a reference rather than an attachment, then communication size is reduced, but accessibility and functionality of the file deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces an intermediary association mechanism that connects file references in communications with their actual content in the file service. When a user receives a communication with a file reference, the system automatically resolves the reference through the graph database associations, providing seamless access to file content without increasing communication size. This intermediary resolution process maintains ease of operation while keeping communications lightweight.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates lightweight copies (file references and associations) in the communication system that point to the actual file content stored in the file service. These reference copies enable easy access and sharing without duplicating the actual file content in communications. The system effectively uses reference copying to maintain small communication sizes while preserving full file accessibility through the association graph.
3Reliability
If separate data stores are used for files and communications, then data integrity and security are improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the file service and communication service into a unified graph database structure. Instead of maintaining completely separate data stores with complex integration layers, the system uses a single graph database that contains both file nodes and message nodes with explicit association relationships. This merging approach maintains data integrity through the graph structure while reducing system complexity by eliminating the need for separate data management systems and their interconnections.
Data Source
AI summary
Examples of the present disclosure describe systems and methods for electronic communication and file reference association. In an example, a file reference may refer to file content stored by a file service. The file reference may be used to share the file content in an electronic communication among a plurality of users. The file reference may be identified within the electronic communication, and may be used to generate a file node. The file node may store information relating to the file content and/or file reference. A message node associated with the electronic communication may be created, which may be associated with the file node. The file node may later be used to identify electronic communications relating to the file reference. Thus, electronic communications relating to the file reference may be accessible to a user using the file reference or by searching, rather than manually identifying related electronic communications.