Causal Tree Document Collaboration Conflict Resolution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional collaborative document editing methods often lead to conflicts and divergence in changes made by multiple users, as they typically involve either exclusive access to the document or creation of separate copies, resulting in the master document owner having to resolve conflicting edits.
Innovation Solution
A system and method utilizing a causal tree structure to track and store editing instructions, where each instruction is assigned a unique identifier, ensuring all users work with the same document by broadcasting and sequencing user editing instructions, and using site identifiers and stamps to manage concurrent edits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple users edit a document simultaneously using conventional methods, then collaboration capability is improved, but conflict and divergence of changes occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the document editing process into discrete, traceable operations by introducing a causal tree structure where each editing instruction is a separate node. This segmentation allows the system to track individual changes independently while maintaining overall document consistency through the tree's hierarchical organization of edit operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism in the form of a server that mediates between multiple users and the master document. The server receives editing instructions from various users, processes them through the causal tree structure, and ensures consistent application across all client devices, preventing direct conflicts between simultaneous edits.
2Ease of operation
If the master document owner creates unique copies for each collaborator, then editing access is improved, but conflict resolution burden increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service mechanism where the system automatically resolves potential conflicts through the causal tree structure and operation transformation logic. Instead of requiring the master document owner to manually resolve conflicts, the system autonomously processes editing instructions through standardized transformations that ensure consistency without human intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by establishing a standardized framework for handling editing instructions before conflicts occur. The causal tree structure and operation transformation rules are pre-configured to anticipate and prevent conflicts, allowing the system to process simultaneous edits smoothly without requiring post-hoc conflict resolution.
3Reliability
If checking in and out documents is used to manage editing, then document access control is improved, but collaboration efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamics by replacing the static check-in/check-out model with a dynamic system that handles multiple simultaneous editing sessions. The causal tree structure and operation transformation logic adapt to concurrent edits in real-time, allowing the document to remain accessible to multiple users while maintaining control through automated conflict prevention mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
A computing device includes a processor that carries out actions comprising: storing a causal tree structure corresponding to a document, where the causal tree structure includes a sequence of editing instructions and each editing instruction is assigned an identifier unique to such editing instruction. The method further includes receiving a user editing instruction for the document, where the user editing instruction is assigned an identifier unique to the user editing instruction. The method includes storing the user editing instruction and the identifier assigned to the user editing instruction as an additional node to the causal tree structure. The method further includes broadcasting, to a plurality of client devices, the user editing instruction and the identifier assigned to the user editing instruction.