Virtual Content Relationship Maps for File Retrieval
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hierarchical file systems face difficulties in efficiently locating electronic files due to the complexity and vast number of files, making it challenging to retrieve specific content within a directory.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a content storage and retrieval system that utilizes predefined relationship heuristics and metadata to create virtual content relationship maps, allowing users to identify and retrieve related content instances by defining relationships between files based on common metadata values such as location, time, user, and content type.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional hierarchical file systems are used to organize files, then files can be organized in structured directories, but it becomes difficult to locate specific files as the number of files increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces virtual content relationship maps as an intermediary layer between the hierarchical file system and the user. These maps are built using metadata and relationship heuristics to connect related files across the hierarchy, allowing users to navigate through relationships rather than traversing deep directory structures. This mediator enables efficient file location even in systems with vast numbers of files.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a new dimension to file organization by creating virtual maps that represent files and their relationships in a graph structure rather than traditional hierarchical trees. This dimensional transformation allows navigation through multiple relationship paths simultaneously, providing alternative routes to locate files without being constrained by the depth of the hierarchical structure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If more hierarchical levels are added to organize vast numbers of files, then file organization structure is improved, but file location difficulty intensifies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the navigation complexity from the hierarchical directory structure by separating the organization function (hierarchy) from the location function (virtual maps). The virtual content relationship maps are constructed independently using metadata extraction, allowing the system to maintain complex hierarchical organization while providing simplified navigation paths through the extracted relationship information.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the file system navigation into two independent components: the hierarchical directory structure for organization and the virtual content relationship maps for location. This segmentation allows each component to optimize for its specific purpose without the other bearing the burden of both organization and navigation complexities.
3Speed
If specific information about file location is known, then file can be located efficiently, but this information is often unavailable for vast numbers of files
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by pre-computing and storing virtual content relationship maps based on metadata and relationship heuristics before users need to locate files. These maps are built in advance using available metadata information, creating ready-to-use navigation paths that eliminate the need for users to have specific location information when searching for files.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes the mechanical search process (manual traversal of directory hierarchies requiring specific location information) with an automated information system that uses metadata and relationship heuristics to automatically determine file locations and relationships, replacing user knowledge requirements with system-based information retrieval.
Data Source
AI summary
In an exemplary method, content instances and metadata associated with the content instances are maintained, a request for content is received, one of the content instances is identified based on the request, at least one other of the content instances is identified as being related to the one content instance based on a predefined relationship heuristic and the metadata associated with the content instances, and data representative of the one content instance and the other content instance is provided in response to the request. In certain embodiments, the related content instance is identified by identifying a metadata value associated with the one content instance and a common metadata value associated with the other content instance. In certain embodiments, the common metadata value includes at least one of a common location data value, a common time data value, a common user identifier, and a common content type.