File System Variants for Cross-Device Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users face inconvenience in accessing and sharing data files across different computing devices due to limitations in network connections and physical characteristics, such as varying display sizes and bandwidth, leading to difficulties in accessing files stored on portable storage devices from multiple devices.
Innovation Solution
A file system that employs a utility computing model for remote storage of data files and their variants, allowing access through a cloud computing resource, where variants of files are customized for specific client devices, and data is stored in a virtual file system with reduced durability data stores for cost-effective storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If files are stored in high durability data stores to ensure data reliability, then data reliability is improved, but storage cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments data storage into two categories: primary data objects are stored in high durability data stores for reliability, while file variants are stored in low durability data stores for cost efficiency. This segmentation allows the system to achieve overall data reliability while reducing total storage costs by applying appropriate durability levels to different data types.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the durability parameter of data storage based on the type of data being stored. Primary data objects maintain high durability parameters for reliability, while file variants use low durability parameters to reduce storage costs. This parameter change strategy allows the system to optimize both reliability and cost simultaneously.
2Adaptability or versatility
If file variants are generated and stored for every client device type, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates simplified copies of primary data objects as file variants tailored to specific client device characteristics. These variants are stored in a distributed file system and automatically served based on client type, reducing the complexity of manual file management while improving adaptability to different devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a file service as an intermediary that automatically manages the selection and delivery of appropriate file variants based on client device characteristics. This intermediary handles the complexity of variant management, allowing the system to maintain high adaptability while keeping the user interface simple.
3Reliability
If all files are stored with high durability to ensure data reliability, then data reliability is improved, but storage cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments data storage into two categories: primary data objects are stored in high durability data stores for reliability, while file variants are stored in low durability data stores for cost efficiency. This segmentation allows the system to achieve overall data reliability while reducing total storage costs by applying appropriate durability levels to different data types.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the durability parameter of data storage based on the type of data being stored. Primary data objects maintain high durability parameters for reliability, while file variants use low durability parameters to reduce storage costs. This parameter change strategy allows the system to optimize both reliability and cost simultaneously.
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed are various embodiments that provide variants of files in a file system. Multiple file systems are maintained for multiple users. Each file system includes multiple files and one or more folder. Each file includes a respective unique identifier and a respective reference to a data object stored in one or more data store. Multiple file variants are maintained. Each file variant includes the respective unique identifier of a respective file. Each file variant also includes a respective reference to a secondary data object stored in the one or more data stores. The secondary data object is related to the primary data object referenced by the respective file.