Cloud Modular Apps for Collaborative Documents
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Solution Overview
Problem
The use of modular applications in collaborative documents stored on cloud computing services is complicated, as they require installation on each device used for editing, and sharing these applications among collaborators is cumbersome, as each user must install the same application on their devices.
Innovation Solution
Storing and executing modular applications on the cloud computing service rather than on client computers, allowing users to access and share them from any device, with the cloud service managing activation and deactivation across all connected clients.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If modular applications are installed on each client device, then each user can use the application on their device, but the complexity of installation and sharing increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a cloud-based intermediary service that hosts modular applications and manages their distribution. Instead of users installing applications directly on multiple devices, the cloud service acts as an intermediary that delivers applications to collaborators automatically. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining ease of use while eliminating installation complexity through the intermediary cloud infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a copying mechanism where modular applications are replicated and distributed to collaborators through the cloud service. When one user activates a modular application, it is automatically copied and made available to other collaborators on their respective devices without requiring manual installation. This approach maintains ease of use while eliminating the complexity of individual installations through automated copying.
2Adaptability or versatility
If modular applications are shared among collaborators, then all users can access the application functionality, but the time and effort required for distribution increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-hosting modular applications on the cloud service infrastructure before they are needed. When a user wants to share a modular application with collaborators, the application is already prepared and stored in the cloud, allowing for instant distribution. This eliminates distribution time while maintaining collaboration capability, as the preliminary cloud hosting enables immediate sharing without installation delays.
Solution Approach 2:
The cloud service acts as an intermediary that manages the distribution process automatically. When a user activates a modular application for sharing, the intermediary cloud service handles the replication and delivery to all collaborators, eliminating manual distribution efforts. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining full collaboration capability while reducing distribution time through automated intermediary management.
3Ease of operation
If modular applications are stored on the cloud service, then sharing becomes easier, but the system architecture becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the application hosting, storage, and distribution functions into a single cloud-based platform. By combining these functions that would otherwise be distributed across multiple user devices into one centralized cloud service, the system simplifies sharing operations. The merged architecture handles all aspects of modular application management, making sharing easier while consolidating complexity into a managed service rather than distributing it across user systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The cloud service is designed as a universal platform that handles multiple functions: storing modular applications, managing user collaborations, handling application activation, and distributing to multiple devices. This multi-functional universal system simplifies sharing ease by providing a single interface for all operations, while consolidating the architectural complexity into a versatile cloud infrastructure that manages diverse tasks through unified mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for providing applications for use within collaborative documents includes storing, on a cloud computing service, a collaborative document accessible by a plurality of collaborators and a plurality of modular applications for a document editing application used by the plurality of collaborators to view the collaborative document, where the plurality of modular applications are usable within the collaborative document. The cloud computing service receives a request from a first collaborator in the plurality of collaborators to activate the use of a first modular application in the plurality of modular applications within the collaborative document, and activates the use of the first modular application within the collaborative document, where the first modular application executes on the cloud computing service and each of the plurality of collaborators may use the first modular application within the collaborative document.