File Sharing via Erasure Coding and Fragment Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing file sharing methods are insecure as they rely on encryption keys that can be compromised, and cloud storage solutions may expose sensitive information to data mining and unauthorized access.
Innovation Solution
A file sharing system that splits data files into multiple coded fragments and shares them through various communication services, including email and cloud providers, using erasure encoding to ensure security without relying on encryption keys, with a verification code protecting access to cloud-stored fragments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If encryption is used to secure file sharing, then security is improved, but key management complexity and vulnerability increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the original file into multiple coded fragments using erasure encoding. Each fragment is then shared through different communication channels. This segmentation eliminates the need for encryption keys while maintaining security, as the file can only be reconstructed when a sufficient number of fragments are combined.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the security mechanism from traditional encryption and replaces it with erasure coding. Instead of relying on cryptographic keys, the system uses mathematical coding to distribute and reconstruct file data, removing the vulnerability associated with key management.
2Ease of operation
If cloud storage is used for file sharing, then accessibility is improved, but data privacy and security are worsened due to data mining and unauthorized access
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the file into multiple coded fragments before uploading to cloud storage. Individual fragments contain no meaningful information and cannot be used to reconstruct the original file. This allows the file to be stored in the cloud for easy accessibility while maintaining data privacy, as the cloud provider cannot access or mine meaningful information from the fragmented data.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different quality characteristics to different parts of the data. Each coded fragment has the property of being useless in isolation but valuable when combined with other fragments. This local quality transformation ensures that cloud-stored fragments provide accessibility without compromising privacy.
3Device complexity
If a single communication channel is used for file transfer, then simplicity is improved, but reliability is worsened due to single point of failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the file transfer process into multiple independent communication channels. Each fragment can be transmitted through different channels (email, cloud storage, messaging services). This segmentation eliminates single points of failure, as the file can still be reconstructed if some channels fail or are blocked.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a dynamic file sharing system where fragments can be transmitted through multiple possible channels. The system adapts to different communication conditions and can dynamically select which channels to use, improving reliability without requiring a fixed complex communication structure.
Data Source
AI summary
One embodiment provides a file sharing system. During operation, the system identifies a data file to be sent to a second device of a second user and generates a plurality of coded fragments from the data file based on a generator matrix of erasure encoding. An individual coded fragment does not include plaintext data. The system generates a plurality of sub-files, each of which comprises one or more coded fragments, of the data file. The system attaches a first sub-file to an electronic communication destined to the second device, uploads a second sub-file to a cloud provider, and embeds a link, which may expire and is protected based on a verification code, associated with the uploaded second sub-file into the electronic communication. The system sends the electronic communication to the second device and the verification code in a text message to a cell phone of the second user.