File Transfer via Intermediary Server for Device Availability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users face challenges in sharing files between electronic devices without a server, as they need direct access to the devices storing the content, limiting file sharing when one device is not available.
Innovation Solution
An electronic device with a communication module and processor that receives file lists from multiple devices, designates source and target devices, and transmits file transfer messages to facilitate file sharing, even when the source device is not directly accessible, by considering network and battery criteria.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If direct device connection is used for file transfer, then network cost is reduced, but file sharing becomes impossible when source device is not available
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a server as an intermediary component that mediates file transfers between electronic devices. The server receives file lists from multiple devices, allows users to select target files and source devices, and facilitates the transfer process even when the source device is not directly connected to the target device. This resolves the contradiction by enabling indirect file sharing through the server while maintaining the benefit of reduced direct network costs between devices.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple devices are monitored for file sharing, then file availability increases, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The server acts as a centralized intermediary that handles the complexity of monitoring and managing file lists from multiple electronic devices. Instead of each device needing to directly monitor and communicate with every other device (which would create exponential complexity), the server consolidates this functionality, receiving file lists from multiple devices and presenting unified options to users. This reduces system complexity while maintaining high file sharing availability.
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device comprising: a communication module; and at least one processor configured to: receive, via the communication module, a respective file list of each of a plurality of external electronic devices; designate a target file based on the file list, a first external electronic device from the plurality as a source electronic device and a second external electronic device from the plurality as a target electronic device; and transmit, via the communication module, a file transfer message to the target electronic device, wherein the file transfer message comprises an instruction to retrieve a target file from the source electronic device.