Portable Device Shared Data Management via Segmented Folders
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Solution Overview
Problem
Portable electronic devices currently support only a single group of Address book, Tasks, Memo Pad, and Calendar, limiting their ability to manage and synchronize data from multiple users or sources effectively.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for managing shared data by allowing a portable electronic device to receive and store data from multiple users, using a server to synchronize and manage shared folders with read-only or read-write access, enabling the device to differentiate and store data associated with specific user identifiers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a portable electronic device stores only a single group of Address book, Tasks, Memo Pad, and Calendar data, then the device structure remains simple and easy to manage, but the device cannot effectively manage and synchronize data from multiple users or sources
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the data storage structure into multiple separate folders, each associated with a different user identifier. Instead of mixing all user data in a single group, the system segments data into distinct folders (e.g., User1_Folder, User2_Folder) that can be independently managed and synchronized. This allows the device to handle multiple users while maintaining clear organizational boundaries.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new organizational dimension by adding user identifiers as a classification criterion. Rather than organizing data only by type (Address book, Tasks, etc.), the system adds a user-based dimension, creating a two-dimensional storage structure where data is organized both by type and by user. This enables multiple users to have their own data groups without increasing the complexity of individual data structures.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a portable electronic device allows data sharing from multiple users, then data collaboration capability is enhanced, but data synchronization and management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments shared data into separate folders associated with different user identifiers. Each user's data resides in its own folder, allowing independent synchronization operations. When synchronizing, the device can selectively update specific user folders without having to process all data, simplifying the synchronization process despite multiple users.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces user identifiers as an intermediary layer between the physical data storage and the synchronization process. This intermediary enables the system to automatically route, identify, and manage data from different users without requiring complex manual intervention. The user identifier acts as a key that simplifies the synchronization logic by clearly distinguishing which data belongs to which user.
3Quantity of substance
If a portable electronic device stores multiple folders of Contacts, Tasks, Memo's, and Calendar, then multiple user data can be stored, but the device's single-folder limitation is exceeded requiring structural changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the storage structure into multiple user-associated folders, with each folder containing the standard data types (Contacts, Tasks, Memo's, Calendar). This segmentation allows the device to store data from multiple users while maintaining a consistent folder structure within each user's data group, preventing overall structural complexity from becoming unmanageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal folder structure template that can be replicated for each user. Each user receives the same standardized folder organization (Contacts, Tasks, Memo's, Calendar), making the system multi-functional in handling different users while maintaining structural simplicity through repetition of the proven template rather than creating unique structures for each user.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for managing shared data at a portable electronic device of a first entity is provided. A message is received advising that data associated with a second entity is being shared. A request is transmitted to a server for a list of shared folders associated with the second entity, in response to an option to view shared folders associated with the second entity being selected. The list is received. An initialize command is transmitted to the server, the initialize command identifying at least one folder in the list. The data associated with the second entity is received, responsive to the transmitting the initialize command. The data is stored in association with a second entity identifier.