Secure Workflow File Sharing Through Metadata Mapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing network-based file sharing services are inadequate for securely and selectively sharing files between predefined user groups based on predefined workflows, leading to laborious, costly, and time-consuming document onboarding processes.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a server that receives entity and action identifiers, generates a task identifier, and populates a data structure with document identifiers, allowing secure and selective file sharing between user groups through a session-based sharing mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional network-based file sharing services are used, then file sharing is enabled, but secure and selective sharing between predefined user groups based on workflows is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the file sharing system into distinct functional components: a data structure that stores document identifiers mapped to metadata tags, a server that processes sharing requests, and a user interface that facilitates interactions. This segmentation enables secure and selective sharing by organizing data in a structured manner that supports workflow-based access control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by mapping document identifiers to metadata tags that encode information about user groups, workflows, and access permissions. By changing and manipulating these metadata parameters, the system achieves secure and selective file sharing tailored to specific workflow requirements.
2Productivity
If users search through emails and file directories for relevant documents, then document retrieval is performed, but the process is laborious, costly, insecure, and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-establishing a data structure that maps document identifiers to metadata tags containing information about user groups and workflows before documents are needed. This pre-organization of data enables rapid retrieval without requiring users to manually search through emails and file directories, significantly reducing time and effort.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides feedback mechanisms where the server processes sharing requests and returns relevant documents based on the mapped metadata tags. This feedback loop enables efficient document retrieval by automatically filtering and presenting only the relevant documents based on workflow and user group criteria.
3Adaptability or versatility
If existing file sharing services are used, then file sharing is possible, but predefined workflow-based permissioning is not supported
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves universality by creating a data structure that can handle multiple types of metadata tags representing different user groups, workflows, and permission levels within a single unified system. This multi-functional approach enables workflow-based permissioning without requiring separate complex systems for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces metadata tags as intermediary elements that mediate between documents and user groups. These metadata tags serve as a bridge, enabling the system to manage complex workflow-based permissions by translating them into manageable data mappings within the centralized data structure.
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure enables various computing technologies for sharing various files securely and selectively between various predefined user groups based on various predefined workflows. For each of the predefined workflows, the files are shared based on a data structure storing various document identifiers and various metadata tags, with the document identifiers mapping onto the metadata tags.