Remote File Browsing and Annotation via Server Mediation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Mobile computing devices face limitations in memory capacity, making it cumbersome to access and share large digital files such as photos and presentations, especially when users are not directly connected to a computer.

Innovation Solution

A system and method that allows users to browse, annotate, and share electronic files from a remote location using a mobile device, enabling interactive access, annotation, and sharing of files through a network, with features like keyword search, voice recording, and intelligent file scaling to reduce bandwidth requirements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If digital files are stored on mobile devices, then accessibility and convenience are improved, but memory capacity is exceeded

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccessibility of digital filesVSAvoidmemory capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

A server acts as an intermediary between the mobile device and the digital file collection. The server hosts the photo collection and handles storage, while the mobile device runs a client application that communicates with the server to access photos remotely without storing them locally, thus resolving the memory capacity limitation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of storing complete digital files on the mobile device, the system creates and manages copies on a remote server. The mobile device accesses these copies through network communication, allowing full file access while maintaining minimal local storage requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Ease of operation

If large digital files are accessed from remote locations, then mobility and remote access are improved, but network bandwidth consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveremote access capabilityVSAvoidnetwork bandwidth consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the photo collection into individual photo units that can be independently accessed, loaded, and managed. This allows the client application to load only the specific photos needed rather than transferring entire collections, reducing unnecessary network bandwidth consumption while maintaining remote access capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If digital photos are shared with others, then connectivity and sharing capability are improved, but control over file distribution becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefile sharing capabilityVSAvoidfile distribution control

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The server acts as a mediator that controls and manages file distribution. When users share photos, the server handles the distribution process, authentication, and access control, eliminating the need for complex peer-to-peer control mechanisms on mobile devices while enabling versatile sharing capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS11616820B2Processing files from a mobile device

Publication Date: 2023.03.28 MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING LLC

AI summary

The presently described subject matter allows the user to interactively browse a collection of electronic files, such as a digital photo collection, remotely using a mobile telephone. Files from the collection of electronic files can be directed from the mobile telephone to be sent to a remote display device, where the file can be displayed. Also, a user can record voice and text annotations from the mobile phone to preserve with an electronic file, and which is transported along with the file when it is displayed on a remote display device.