Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for enabling synchronization of items (e.g., folders or files) in a cloud-based environment. In one embodiment, a method comprises, upon receiving a request from a collaborator to synchronize an item stored in the workspace, verifying if the collaborator has permission for downloading the item. The method further comprises, if the collaborator has permission for downloading the item, sending the item to the collaborator. The method further comprises synchronizing the item by automatically pushing an updated version of the item unilaterally from the cloud-based environment to the collaborator regardless of whether the collaborator has performed any modification to the sent item. Among other advantages, embodiments disclosed herein provide capabilities to synchronize items in cloud-based platforms, especially where items are often opened/edited among the collaborators.

Abstract: Systems and methods to automatically upgrade, or update a synchronization client to a cloud-based platform are provided. The automatic upgrading can be provided to a personal or an enterprise-level synchronization client. The synchronization client is implemented in a manner that is silent, secure and fault tolerant. In one embodiment, the disclosed technology includes an executable process to download the update, verify the contents, and apply the update. The contents can be verified by checking the certificate on any binary. The systems and methods further include identification and handling of items to be ignored by the synchronization client for synchronization with a cloud-based platform. In some embodiments, files and folders which typically should not be synchronized are identified and removed from the synchronization process in an effective manner.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include systems and methods to facilitate top down delete or un-synchronization on delete of a synchronization client to a cloud-based platform. The disclosed technology innovates the mechanism the synchronization client processes local deletes so that instead of synchronizing the delete of each individual item across to the cloud-based platform, it can accumulate the individual item deletes into a top-level folder delete and that top-level folder delete can be what is communicated across to the cloud-based platform. Embodiments of the present disclosure also include systems and methods for depicting item synchronization between a local and cloud based platform/service (e.g. the Box service). In some embodiments the system can identify items that cannot be synchronized between the local and cloud based platform/service (e.g., cloud based collaboration or storage platform/service).

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include systems and methods of conflict resolution, retry condition management and/or handling of problem files in the synchronization architecture of the cloud-based platform. One embodiment of the disclosed technology detects conflicts between incompatible changes made on opposite file systems based on file system sync results when executing a sync event on the file system. In one embodiment, the disclosed technology applies self-healing strategies when unexpected failures occur. For example, if a synchronization action fails repeatedly, an external action (e.g., from user, file system, etc.) can return the system back to a consistent state again.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for enabling synchronization of items (e.g., folders or files) in a cloud-based environment. In one embodiment, a method comprises, upon receiving a request from a collaborator to synchronize an item stored in the workspace, verifying if the collaborator has permission for downloading the item. The method further comprises, if the collaborator has permission for downloading the item, sending the item to the collaborator. The method further comprises synchronizing the item by automatically pushing an updated version of the item unilaterally from the cloud-based environment to the collaborator regardless of whether the collaborator has performed any modification to the sent item. Among other advantages, embodiments disclosed herein provide capabilities to synchronize items in cloud-based platforms, especially where items are often opened/edited among the collaborators.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for enabling synchronization of items (e.g., folders or files) with read-only permissions in a cloud-based environment. In one embodiment, a method comprises, upon receiving a request from a collaborator to synchronize an item stored in the workspace, determining whether the item is marked as read-only and verifying if the collaborator has permission for downloading the item. The method further comprises, if the item is marked as read-only and if the collaborator has permission for downloading the item, sending the item to the collaborator. The method further comprises synchronizing the item by automatically pushing an updated version of the item unilaterally from the cloud-based environment to the collaborator regardless of whether the collaborator has performed any modification to the sent item.

Abstract: Systems and methods method enabling file actions to be performed on a folder structure in a cloud-based service are disclosed. In one aspect, embodiments of the present disclosure include a method, which may be implemented on a system, for representing the folder structure in a user interface to the cloud-based service as a file and enabling file actions to be performed on file representing the folder structure in the user interface to the cloud-based service. In one embodiment, the folder structure and associated content is stored on a server which provides the cloud-based service in a compressed file format which is able to preserve the metadata associated with the folder structure which indicates its representation as the file in the user interface.

Abstract: Embodiments in the present disclosure include systems and methods related to a synchronization client of a cloud-based collaboration platform that runs on a user device for synchronizing folders and files between a location on the cloud-based collaboration platform and a location on the user device. The synchronization client informs a user of the status of synchronization processes and allows a user to choose various options depending on the informed status.

Abstract: Systems and methods to automatically upgrade, or update a synchronization client to a cloud-based platform are provided. The automatic upgrading can be provided to a personal or an enterprise-level synchronization client. The synchronization client is implemented in a manner that is silent, secure and fault tolerant. In one embodiment, the disclosed technology includes an executable process to download the update, verify the contents, and apply the update. The contents can be verified by checking the certificate on any binary. The systems and methods further include identification and handling of items to be ignored by the synchronization client for synchronization with a cloud-based platform. In some embodiments, files and folders which typically should not be synchronized are identified and removed from the synchronization process in an effective manner.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include systems and methods to facilitate top down delete or un-synchronization on delete of a synchronization client to a cloud-based platform. The disclosed technology innovates the mechanism the synchronization client processes local deletes so that instead of synchronizing the delete of each individual item across to the cloud-based platform, it can accumulate the individual item deletes into a top-level folder delete and that top-level folder delete can be what is communicated across to the cloud-based platform. Embodiments of the present disclosure also include systems and methods for depicting item synchronization between a local and cloud based platform/service (e.g. the Box service). In some embodiments the system can identify items that cannot be synchronized between the local and cloud based platform/service (e.g., cloud based collaboration or storage platform/service).

Abstract: Embodiments in the present disclosure include systems and methods related to a synchronization client of a cloud-based collaboration platform that runs on a user device for synchronizing folders and files between a location on the cloud-based collaboration platform and a location on the user device. The synchronization client informs a user of the status of synchronization processes and allows a user to choose various options depending on the informed status.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include systems and methods of conflict resolution, retry condition management and/or handling of problem files in the synchronization architecture of the cloud-based platform. One embodiment of the disclosed technology detects conflicts between incompatible changes made on opposite file systems based on file system sync results when executing a sync event on the file system. In one embodiment, the disclosed technology applies self-healing strategies when unexpected failures occur. For example, if a synchronization action fails repeatedly, an external action (e.g., from user, file system, etc.) can return the system back to a consistent state again.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for file system monitoring in a system which incrementally updates clients with what occurred in a cloud-enabled platform. In one embodiment, a method comprises, in response to an event which represents that a modification to an item has taken place on the cloud-based platform, identifying whether execution of the event is to violate any local file system rule. The method further comprises, if the execution of the event is to violate any local file system rule, buffering the event until a subsequent event arrives. The method further comprises identifying whether execution of an aggregate of the events is to violate any local file system rule.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for enabling synchronization of items (e.g., folders or files) with read-only permissions in a cloud-based environment. In one embodiment, a method comprises, upon receiving a request from a collaborator to synchronize an item stored in the workspace, determining whether the item is marked as read-only and verifying if the collaborator has permission for downloading the item. The method further comprises, if the item is marked as read-only and if the collaborator has permission for downloading the item, sending the item to the collaborator. The method further comprises synchronizing the item by automatically pushing an updated version of the item unilaterally from the cloud-based environment to the collaborator regardless of whether the collaborator has performed any modification to the sent item.

Abstract: Systems and methods for seamless access, editing, creating of files in a web or mobile interface to a collaborative cloud platform (e.g., cloud-based file sharing, collaboration and/or storage service) are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a file accessed through the web or mobile interface is associated with an “Edit” button/action, or other similar feature. When selected, if an editor or other native application to edit or access the file is not installed, this action can automatically launch the installer and prompt the user to install the editor. If it is installed, this action can launch the native application on the user's computer.

Abstract: Systems and methods method enabling file actions to be performed on a folder structure in a cloud-based service are disclosed. In one aspect, embodiments of the present disclosure include a method, which may be implemented on a system, for representing the folder structure in a user interface to the cloud-based service as a file and enabling file actions to be performed on file representing the folder structure in the user interface to the cloud-based service. In one embodiment, the folder structure and associated content is stored on a server which provides the cloud-based service in a compressed file format which is able to preserve the metadata associated with the folder structure which indicates its representation as the file in the user interface.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for enabling selective subfolder synchronization in a cloud-based environment. In one embodiment, a method comprises, in response to a selection, from a user, of a first synchronization state of a first folder in a workspace, synchronizing content of the first folder associated with the user based on the first synchronization state regardless of a second synchronization state of a second folder in the workspace. The first folder is a subfolder of the second folder. The workspace is provided by a server of a cloud-based environment, and is shared among the user and one or more collaborators of the user. Among other advantages, embodiments disclosed herein provide fine-grained control to the users of a cloud collaboration environment over what folder(s) in their workspace is to be shared and/or synchronized.

Abstract: Platform and application independent system and method for networked file access and/or editing are disclosed. In one aspect, embodiments of the present disclosure include a method, which may be implemented on a system, for identifying an application locally available for use on the device, to edit the file via an operating system of a device through which the request is initiated and automatically launching the application on the device or passing an identifier of the file to the application, such that the file is opened and thus available for edit using the application without a prior prompt to store the file on the device. The automatic launching of the application can occur without the prior prompt to request a user to specify a local directory in which to store the file.