Rule-Based Network Cache for Data Transfer Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current data transfer systems face challenges in providing flexible, secure, efficient, and affordable access to data over networks, particularly due to limitations in bandwidth, inflexibility of data transfer channels, and management of diverse data types and media rights, which hinder efficient data sharing and management.
Innovation Solution
A network-based cache system that selectively stores and manages data according to user-defined policies, allowing authenticated remote access via a server-hosted approach, facilitating data transfer from either the data source or the cache based on availability and caching rules, ensuring efficient and secure data access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If data is transferred directly from the data source to the remote user, then data transfer reliability is maintained, but network bandwidth consumption increases and transfer speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by caching data at network locations before actual remote access requests occur. The system proactively copies data from the data source to cache servers in advance, so that when a remote user needs the data, it can be delivered quickly from the cache rather than transferring the full distance from the original source. This resolves the contradiction by preparing data beforehand at strategic network points.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces cache servers as intermediary components between the data source and remote users. These intermediaries store copies of data locally, allowing fast retrieval without requiring direct long-distance transfers from the original source. The cache acts as a mediator that satisfies remote access requests while consuming minimal network bandwidth, thus improving transfer speed without proportionally increasing bandwidth consumption.
2Productivity
If a network-based cache is implemented to store data, then data transfer efficiency improves, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing the cache server to perform multiple functions: storing data, managing cache policies, authenticating users, and routing data transfers. Rather than adding separate specialized components for each function, the cache server consolidates these roles, improving data transfer efficiency while limiting the increase in overall system complexity through functional integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The cache server implements self-service capabilities by autonomously managing its own cache content based on predefined policies. It automatically determines what data to cache, when to evict data, and how to allocate storage resources without requiring constant manual intervention or complex centralized control. This self-managing behavior improves efficiency while keeping the control architecture relatively simple.
3Adaptability or versatility
If caching rules are used to direct data from cache or data source, then data accessibility improves, but control and management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamics by making caching rules flexible and adaptable rather than static. The system can dynamically adjust cache behavior based on changing conditions such as data usage patterns, available storage space, and user priorities. This dynamic rule-based approach improves data accessibility by adapting to different scenarios while managing complexity through rule-based automation rather than complex decision-making processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The cache management system uses parameter changes to control data accessibility. By adjusting parameters such as cache size limits, eviction policies, priority levels, and validity periods, the system can flexibly control how data is accessed from either the cache or the original data source. These parameter-based controls provide adaptable access while maintaining manageable complexity through configurable settings rather than hard-coded logic.
Data Source
AI summary
Data transfer to a remote packet-communicating device over a network is effected using a network-based cache to selectively store data. According to an example embodiment of the present invention, a network-based server facilitates selective, rule-based storage of a registered user's data in a network-based cache. The registered user's data is available via the user's data source coupled to a packet-based network (e.g., via a user's home or business computer coupled to the Internet). The server controls remote access to data stored in the cache as well as data accessible via the registered user's data source. For instance, when a request for data transfer is received from a remote packet-communicating device, the network-based server authenticates the request and, for authenticated requests, facilitates a transfer of the requested data from one or both of a registered user's data source and the cache.