Shared Resource Locator for Cross-System File Access
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing file naming systems face difficulties in referencing files across different native formats and operating systems, leading to complications with drive letters, folder structures, and foreign languages, making it challenging to share files seamlessly across networks.
Innovation Solution
The conversion of file and folder names from native formats to shared resource locator (SRL) format, allowing for the creation of a universal link that can be used across various systems, enabling easy access and transmission of file locations without manual conversions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If native file format paths are used for file sharing, then the file can be accessed locally on the originator's system, but the path becomes incompatible with other systems having different drive letters, folder structures, or operating systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a shared resource locator (SRL) as an intermediary format that mediates between different native file path formats. The SRL contains universal components (server name, share name, file name) that can be interpreted by any system, eliminating direct dependency on specific drive letters or folder structures while maintaining file access functionality across Windows, Linux, and Apple systems
Solution Approach 2:
The system transforms file path parameters from system-specific representations (drive letters, native separators) to a standardized SRL format with consistent syntax elements. This parameter transformation allows the same file reference to be universally interpreted regardless of the originating or destination system's native format conventions
2Adaptability or versatility
If drive letter and folder naming conventions are strictly enforced to simplify file sharing, then path consistency is improved, but the system cannot accommodate different native formats, foreign languages, or mirrored folder names
Solution Approach 1:
The SRL format serves multiple functions universally: it works across different operating systems (Windows, Linux, Apple), supports various language character sets, handles different folder naming conventions including mirrored names, and provides a single unified syntax that replaces multiple system-specific path formats. This universal design eliminates the need for system-specific naming conventions
3Measurement precision
If manual conversion of file paths is required when sharing between systems, then path accuracy can be maintained, but significant time and effort are consumed and version control problems arise
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary automatic conversion of native file paths to SRL format using integrated software components. When a user selects a file for sharing, the originator's system automatically generates the SRL path without requiring manual intervention, ensuring accuracy while eliminating the time-consuming manual conversion process. The SRL is then ready for immediate use in emails or documents
Solution Approach 2:
The receiving system's SRL handler automatically converts the SRL back to the appropriate native path format for that specific system without user intervention. This self-service conversion ensures accurate file access on the destination system while eliminating the need for recipients to manually adjust paths, thereby preventing version control issues
4Ease of operation
If multiple copies of files are emailed between users to enable access, then file accessibility is improved, but disk space is significantly consumed and version control becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of copying files, the system uses SRLs as intermediary references that point to the original shared file location. Multiple users can have identical SRL strings in their emails or documents, but these references all point to the same single copy of the file on the shared network resource, eliminating redundant file storage while maintaining universal access capability
Data Source
AI summary
File and folder names are converted between their native format and a shared resource locator format. To send information on a file or folder, the file or folder name is parsed into various components and those components are converted to components in the shared resource locator. Sufficient information is provided in the shared resource locator to allow receiving software to develop the proper full native file or folder name, irrelevant of the receiving system, be it having different native formats, different drive letters and the like. A user need only click on a file or folder and a shared resource locator string is provided for pasting into emails or documents. Clicking on a shared resource locator results in the operating system automatically opening the file or folder from its shared location without manual conversions and the like.