Location-Based File Sharing via Server-Generated Tokens

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing file-sharing methods in computer networking require significant time and effort, especially in meetings, as users need to manually add permissions by inputting email addresses of attendees, leading to wasted time and inefficiency.

Innovation Solution

A system that generates unique tokens and session identifiers based on the geographical location of user devices, allowing secure file sharing by determining nearby devices and sending these identifiers through a centralized server, enabling direct, encrypted file transfer within short-range networks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual permission management by inputting email addresses is used, then file sharing security is maintained, but time consumption and operational complexity increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefile sharing securityVSAvoidtime consumption for permission management

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables automatic device identification and permission assignment based on geographical location. When a user initiates file sharing, the server automatically detects nearby devices within the specified radius, generates unique tokens for each device, and establishes permissions without requiring manual email input from the user.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

A centralized server acts as an intermediary between the file sharer and potential recipients. The server receives location information from user devices, determines which devices are within the sharing radius, generates identification tokens, and manages the permission distribution process, eliminating the need for direct manual permission management by users.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If manual permission management by inputting email addresses is used, then file sharing security is maintained, but operational effort and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefile sharing securityVSAvoidoperational effort for permission management

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically performs device identification, token generation, and permission assignment based on geographical location data. Users simply need to initiate file sharing and specify a radius; the system handles all subsequent permission management tasks automatically without requiring users to manually find or input email addresses.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The server serves as an intermediary that automates the complex permission management process. It collects location information from devices, determines which devices fall within the sharing radius, generates unique identification tokens for each eligible device, and manages permission distribution, thereby simplifying the user's operational burden while maintaining security.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If automatic device identification based on location is implemented, then time efficiency and ease of operation improve, but system complexity and data processing requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefile sharing efficiencyVSAvoidsystem complexity for location-based identification

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The centralized server acts as an intermediary that handles the complex location-based device identification and token generation processes. User devices only need to provide their location information and receive generated tokens; the server performs the computationally intensive tasks of determining device proximity, generating unique tokens, and managing permission assignments, thereby keeping client devices relatively simple.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The server performs preliminary actions by pre-generating unique identification tokens for devices within the sharing radius before actual file transfer begins. Location information is collected and processed in advance, and permission structures are established beforehand, enabling rapid file sharing without real-time computation delays during the actual transfer process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS11783066B2Securely sharing files with user devices based on location

Publication Date: 2023.10.10 PROGRESS SOFTWARE CORP

AI summary

Methods and systems for securely sharing files with user devices based on location are described herein. A server may detect an endpoint device in response to receipt, from a user device, of a request to share a file, the endpoint device being proximate to the user device. An identifier indicative of the detected endpoint device may be generated by the server. The identifier may distinguish the detected endpoint device from other endpoint devices proximate to the user device. The server may send the identifier to the user device to enable the user device to share the file with the detected endpoint device.