Synchronizing Virtualized File Systems Queries
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current collaborative workspace environments do not provide a method to synchronize a list of files or queries from the workspace to a local computing device, limiting the ability to maintain synchronized content and queries across devices.
Innovation Solution
A synchronization client generates requests for lists of queries and associated content from a collaborative workspace environment, creating folders for each query result and performing periodic updates to ensure synchronization, using techniques like placeholders and hard links to manage content duplication and access control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If files are synchronized to a local computing device, then content accessibility is improved, but there is no way to synchronize a list of files or queries from the workspace to the local device
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the synchronization process into distinct components: query list synchronization and content synchronization. The query list is separated from individual file contents, allowing independent management and synchronization of metadata versus actual data, thereby enabling versatile synchronization options.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a new dimension to file synchronization by introducing query list synchronization as a separate layer. Instead of only synchronizing individual files, the system now operates at two levels: the query/list level (metadata, organization) and the content level (actual file data), enabling comprehensive synchronization control.
2Reliability
If periodic updates are performed to ensure synchronization, then data consistency is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic updates through scheduled synchronization intervals, where the system automatically checks for and applies changes at predetermined times. This periodic mechanism maintains data consistency without requiring continuous monitoring, balancing reliability with resource efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The synchronization system incorporates feedback mechanisms that track changes between periodic updates, identify discrepancies, and automatically resolve them. This feedback loop ensures consistency while managing complexity through automated conflict resolution and change detection algorithms.
3Ease of operation
If folders are created for each query result, then content organization is improved, but risk of content duplication increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements intelligent copying mechanisms that create references or links to content rather than duplicating actual data. When folders are created for query results, the system uses symbolic links, hard links, or reference pointers that point to the master copy, allowing organized access without multiplying the actual content storage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a nested folder structure where query result folders contain references to content that may be shared across multiple queries. This nesting approach allows hierarchical organization of queries and their results while maintaining a single source of truth for duplicate content, reducing storage redundancy.
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure generally relates to synchronizing a list of queries made against content hosted by a collaborative workspace environment, or against some other remote computing device, to a local computing device. The methods and system described herein enable a synchronization client associated with the local computing device to synchronize one or more queries (e.g., a most recently used file list on the collaborative workspace environment, a list of shared files on the collaborative workspace environment and the like), along with the content associated with the one or more queries, provided on the collaborative workspace environment to the local computing device.