Virtual Folder Sharing for Conflict-Free Sync
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The complexity of synchronizing files across multiple devices, especially when sharing folders with other users, increases as more devices are used for editing files, leading to management challenges and potential conflicts.
Innovation Solution
An events-based technique is employed for efficient and secure synchronization, allowing for automatic resolution of name conflicts and independent permission management for folders and subfolders, enabling seamless sharing and synchronization across various devices and platforms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If folder sharing is enabled between multiple users, then file accessibility and collaboration are improved, but synchronization complexity and conflict management increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the folder structure into shared folders and non-shared folders, allowing selective permission management. Each folder can be independently configured with specific user permissions, enabling fine-grained control over file access while simplifying the overall synchronization management by treating shared and non-shared folders differently.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a cloud-based synchronization service as an intermediary between multiple devices and users. This intermediary handles the complex synchronization logic, conflict resolution, and permission management automatically, allowing users to access files from multiple devices without manually managing synchronization complexity.
2Productivity
If real-time synchronization across multiple devices is implemented, then file accessibility is improved, but conflict resolution complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The synchronization system automatically detects and resolves conflicts without requiring manual intervention. When multiple users modify the same file simultaneously, the system uses version control and timestamps to automatically determine which changes to apply, making the conflict resolution process self-service and transparent to users.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the synchronization service continuously monitors changes across devices and notifies users of conflicts or synchronization status. This feedback loop allows the system to adapt to real-time changes and resolve conflicts dynamically, maintaining high synchronization efficiency while managing complexity through automated feedback-driven resolution.
3Reliability
If permission management is applied to folders and subfolders, then access control is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by allowing permission management at the folder level and subfolder level independently. Each folder can have its own permission settings, enabling granular access control. This segmentation makes the permission management structure more manageable by breaking down the hierarchical permission system into discrete, configurable units.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system of sharing a folder in a file system between an owner and a grantee is provided. An indication of a folder to share with a grantee may be received from the owner. The folder to share may be a subfolder within a parent folder, the parent folder not shared with the grantee. Then, sharing permissions indicating a level of access the grantee has to the folder may be stored with the folder. A virtual folder corresponding to the folder to share may be created on a device of the grantee. The virtual folder maps to all objects within the folder to share and may be stored at a level equal to parent folders of a file hierarchy on device of the grantee.