Recipient-Specific Access Codes for Secure File Sharing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for sharing items, such as files, lack a comprehensive solution that ensures secure, convenient, and efficient distribution and management of access permissions among users, particularly in collaborative environments.
Innovation Solution
A collaboration system that generates unique recipient-specific codes for accessing shared items, allowing secure access and management of permissions through Email messages, with features like secure access keys, version control, and audit tracking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional Email sharing is used, then simplicity and ease of operation are maintained, but security and access control are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the access control mechanism by generating unique recipient-specific codes for each recipient instead of using a single shared access key. This segmentation allows the system to maintain the simplicity of Email sharing while implementing secure, individualized access control for each recipient.
2Ease of operation
If manual forwarding of updated items is used, then simplicity is maintained, but time consumption and productivity are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the collaboration system automatically detects changes to shared items and pushes updated versions to all recipients. This eliminates the need for manual forwarding of updates, significantly improving productivity while maintaining operational simplicity through automated processes.
3Reliability
If centralized file sharing functionality is used, then access control and security are improved, but device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a collaboration system as an intermediary layer between Email and file sharing functionality. This intermediary handles the complex access control, authentication, and update distribution mechanisms, allowing users to maintain simple Email-based interaction while benefiting from secure, controlled file sharing capabilities.
4Reliability
If recipient-specific codes are generated for each recipient, then access security and control are improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service functionality where the collaboration system automatically generates, manages, and distributes recipient-specific codes without requiring manual intervention. The system handles code generation, storage, and distribution autonomously, improving access control while minimizing the operational complexity for users.
Data Source
AI summary
A collaboration system is described for sharing files. The collaboration system operates by receiving an Email message from a sender, the Email message specifying an attachment item (such as a file) and one or more recipients. The Email message also specifies a sender code assigned to the sender for the particular attachment item. The collaboration system stores the attachment item and then generates a recipient-specific code associated with each recipient who is to receive the Email message. The collaboration system then sends a recipient-tailored Email message to each recipient. Each recipient-tailored Email message contains Email content provided by the original Email message along with a recipient-specific code associated with the recipient. Each recipient can access the attachment item via its recipient-specific code, which constitutes a secure access key.