PINApp Local Cloud Storage Intermediary

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for sharing digital content through public cloud services require uploading content to the cloud or using expensive hardware devices like NAS or PCDs, which are costly and lack portability and privacy control.

Innovation Solution

The Pervasive Intermediate Network Attached Storage Application (PINApp) allows users to associate a local folder or device with a public cloud service, enabling sharing without uploading content, using existing cloud services and eliminating the need for expensive hardware by storing and managing digital content locally.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If digital content is uploaded to public cloud services for sharing, then content accessibility and sharing capability are improved, but storage costs and loss of local control increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontent sharing capabilityVSAvoidlocal control over digital content

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a local server as an intermediary between the user's digital content and public cloud services. The local server hosts content locally while enabling cloud-based sharing capabilities, thus mediating between local control and cloud accessibility without requiring content upload to cloud storage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If expensive NAS or PCD hardware is used to enable local storage with cloud sharing, then privacy and local control are improved, but device cost and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprivacy and securityVSAvoidhardware requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes existing computing devices ( PCs, smartphones, tablets) serve multiple functions by enabling them to act as NAS devices through software installation. This eliminates the need for dedicated expensive hardware while maintaining privacy and security benefits, as universal devices already possess necessary processing and storage capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent copies the functionality of expensive dedicated NAS hardware into software form that can run on existing universal computing devices. By replicating NAS capabilities through software rather than requiring specialized hardware, the solution maintains reliability and privacy while dramatically reducing device complexity and cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Reliability

If dedicated NAS hardware is deployed for content storage and sharing, then storage security and local hosting are improved, but portability and ease of deployment worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage securityVSAvoidportability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms the static, fixed-location nature of dedicated NAS hardware into a dynamic solution that can be easily deployed and moved across different devices. By implementing NAS functionality as portable software that can be installed on various computing devices, the system maintains storage security while gaining the portability and flexibility of software-based solutions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS9792452B2Pervasive intermediate network attached storage application

Publication Date: 2017.10.17 TAN ANTHONY

AI summary

A Pervasive Intermediate Network Attached Storage Application (PINApp) enables users to digitally assign (pin/tack) a folder or drive to a public cloud storage service for the purpose of sharing their digital content with others. The PINApp enables users to engage the cloud storage services without the need to upload the digital content to the cloud in order for it to be viewed or shared. The PINApp can be used to unify all of the digital content stored on multiple devices and cloud services for a single owner or user.