Binary File Document Models for Cross-Application Collaboration

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing document collaboration systems are limited in their ability to interact with binary data files in various formats, requiring manual conversion and leading to multiple file copies and tedious change merging processes.

Innovation Solution

A document collaboration system that generates a document model corresponding to a binary data file upon request, allowing client applications to modify the model and synchronize changes across multiple users, regardless of the application format.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a document collaboration system restricts file formats to standard collaborative document formats, then the system can maintain simple operation and reliable collaboration, but the adaptability to different binary data file formats deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveformat compatibilityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a document model as an intermediary layer between the binary data file and the collaboration system. The document model acts as a standardized interface that translates various binary file formats into a common structure, allowing the collaboration system to work with any format without increasing its core complexity. This mediator approach enables format compatibility while maintaining system simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system segments the file handling process into distinct components: the binary data file, the document model, and the collaboration system. By separating these elements, the system can maintain its core collaboration functionality unchanged while adding format adaptability through the document model layer, thus avoiding overall system complexity increase.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If the system converts binary data files to collaborative document format, then format compatibility is improved, but the time required for manual conversion and merging increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveformat compatibilityVSAvoidconversion time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by automatically generating a document model from the binary data file when first accessed. This pre-processing step creates a ready-to-collaborate structure in advance, eliminating the need for manual conversion each time the file is accessed. The document model is prepared beforehand, so subsequent collaboration operations can proceed immediately without time-consuming format conversions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If multiple users create separate copies of binary data files using different applications, then each user can work with their preferred application, but the complexity of merging changes across multiple files increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveapplication flexibilityVSAvoidmerging complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the document models of multiple users into a single unified document model on the server. Instead of managing separate file copies across different applications, the system combines all user views into one centralized document model that reflects the current state of the binary data file. This unified model eliminates the complexity of tracking and merging changes across multiple separate files, while still allowing each user to interact through their preferred application.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Adaptability or versatility

If the system generates a document model for each binary data file access, then format adaptability is improved, but the computational resources and system complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveformat compatibilityVSAvoidcomputational resources

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs the computationally intensive document model generation as a preliminary action when the binary data file is first accessed or uploaded. This one-time processing creates a cached document model that can be reused for subsequent access operations. By performing the generation upfront rather than repeatedly during each access, the system minimizes ongoing computational resource consumption while maintaining format adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS12361381B2Providing a binary data file to a client application using a document model

Publication Date: 2025.07.15 GOOGLE LLC

AI summary

A method for providing a binary data file to at least a first client application and a second client application includes receiving a first request to access the binary data file from the first client application, and identifying a first document model associated with the binary data file, wherein the first document model reflects edits made to the binary data file by the first client application and the second client application. The method further includes transmitting data corresponding to the first document model to the first client application, receiving, from the second client application, a second request indicating a modification to the binary data file, revising the first document model associated with the binary data file to include the modification to the binary data file, and transmitting data corresponding to the revised first document model to the second client application.