Intermediary Engine for Cross-System Data Sync

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current systems face challenges in efficiently sharing and syncing data across multiple data storage systems due to differences in file systems, file identifiers, and interfaces, leading to time-consuming and error-prone processes, especially for larger data sets and devices with limited local memory.

Innovation Solution

A system utilizing an intermediary engine that manages a membership database, generates globally unique identifiers for shared resources, and performs notifications for transactions across cloud-based storage accounts, allowing for automatic detection and synchronization of changes across different storage systems.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If data is shared using download links or email between different storage systems, then data can be transferred between users, but the process becomes time-consuming and error-prone

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata sharing efficiencyVSAvoidtime for download and upload process

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary system that acts as a mediator between different storage systems. This intermediary receives notifications from multiple storage systems, compares content hashes, and automatically coordinates sync operations, eliminating the need for manual download-upload processes between users of different storage systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback mechanisms where storage systems send notifications about data changes to the intermediary. The intermediary then compares content hashes and provides feedback about which copies need synchronization, enabling automatic coordination without manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Adaptability or versatility

If data is downloaded locally before uploading to another system, then data can be shared between systems, but devices with limited local memory cannot handle larger data sets

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompatibility across storage systemsVSAvoidlocal memory requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The intermediary system eliminates the need for local memory to hold data during transfer. By receiving notifications and comparing content hashes remotely, the intermediary coordinates synchronization without requiring the user's device to download and re-upload data, thus bypassing local memory constraints.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical process of physical download-and-upload through local storage with a digital notification-and-coordination system. The intermediary uses content hash comparison and automated coordination to achieve synchronization without the physical data movement that would require local memory capacity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If manual steps are repeated to keep users synced after data updates, then synchronization can be maintained, but the process becomes increasingly complex and error-prone

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesynchronization accuracyVSAvoidcomplexity of manual coordination process

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system establishes continuous feedback loops where storage systems automatically notify the intermediary of any data changes. The intermediary compares content hashes and automatically determines which copies need updating, replacing manual sync coordination with automated feedback-driven synchronization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The intermediary system performs self-service by automatically detecting changes through notifications, comparing content hashes, and coordinating synchronization without human intervention. This eliminates the need for users to manually repeat synchronization steps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Adaptability or versatility

If multiple users share data across different storage systems, then collaboration is enabled, but coordinating everyone to stay synced becomes impossible

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecross-system collaboration capabilityVSAvoidease of coordination among multiple users

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The intermediary acts as a central coordinator for multiple users across different storage systems. It receives notifications from all storage systems, compares content hashes centrally, and automatically determines the synchronization state for all users, making multi-user coordination as simple as single-user sharing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS10999370B1Syncing and sharing data across systems

Publication Date: 2021.05.04 BRIDGELABS INC

AI summary

Systems and techniques are provided for syncing shared resource across multiple systems using an intermediary system. The system includes logic to store membership data that includes a plurality of members in a membership. The system includes logic to create a reference content hash for the shared resource of the membership. The system can download the content hash of a copy of shared resource, upon receiving a notification of a transaction with the copy of the shared resource. The system can compare the content hash of the copy with the content hash of the master copy to detect any changes to the copy of shared resource. The system can designate the copy of shared resource with updated content as master copy and fanout the master copy to storage accounts associated with members in the membership. The system can perform the fanout for sets of members in the membership.