Distributed Sparse Information Sharing System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current information sharing systems are centralized, making them vulnerable to failures and difficult to share information, as they lack redundancy and are isolated.
Innovation Solution
A sparse information sharing system where multiple servers store different parts of the information, syncing point-to-point without a central point, allowing any host to act as a server and enabling direct or indirect information sharing between trusted servers, with features like signature-based verification and access control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a centralized management system is used for information sharing, then the system structure is simple and easy to manage, but the system becomes vulnerable to failures and information loss when the central server breaks down
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the centralized information storage system into multiple distributed servers, each storing different parts of the information. This segmentation eliminates the single point of failure in centralized systems while maintaining manageable system structure through modular architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the architectural parameter from centralized to distributed system topology. By transforming the system structure parameter, it achieves both improved reliability through redundancy and maintained simplicity through standardized distributed protocols.
2Ease of operation
If a centralized server controls all information, then the system is easy to control and manage, but the system becomes isolated and difficult to share information with external systems
Solution Approach 1:
Each server in the distributed system maintains autonomous control capabilities while simultaneously enabling information sharing with other servers. This multi-functionality allows servers to both control their local information and participate in broader information exchange, enhancing adaptability without sacrificing ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a peer-to-peer communication protocol as an intermediary mechanism that enables controlled information sharing between distributed servers. This mediator maintains ease of operation through standardized interfaces while dramatically improving information sharing capability across the system.
3Ease of operation
If all servers store complete information copies, then information access is fast and convenient, but the system consumes excessive storage space and bandwidth
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by having each server store only the specific parts of information relevant to its function and local users. This selective storage reduces overall storage requirements while maintaining fast access performance for locally relevant data through optimized data placement.
4Reliability
If multiple distributed servers are used to eliminate single points of failure, then system reliability improves, but the system complexity increases due to synchronization requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service through automatic synchronization protocols where each server independently manages its own data consistency with other servers. This autonomous approach reduces central coordination complexity while maintaining system robustness through decentralized self-organizing behavior.
Data Source
AI summary
In an approach for a sparse information sharing system, a processor receives a request from a host owner for a host to become a server of an information sharing system, wherein the request specifies at least one type of information the server will maintain and provide to visitors of the server. A processor syncs the server with other servers of the information sharing system with information of the specified at least one type of information. A processor, responsive to the server receiving updated information from a visitor of the server, notifies the other servers of the updated information.