Collaboration Control Elements Linked to Utilities
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing collaboration systems lack tight integration with software applications, often operating independently and requiring laborious adaptation of tools, which limits effective collaboration, especially in complex tasks requiring real-time interaction among multiple users.
Innovation Solution
The solution integrates collaboration utilities directly with the user interface of the application through specific control elements, such as collaborative icons, allowing synchronized user interfaces and secure, role-based access, while utilizing a collaboration bus to manage shared data and communication, enabling seamless interaction among users without altering the application's processing logic.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If collaboration systems operate independently or parallel to the application user interface, then implementation simplicity is maintained, but integration tightness and collaboration effectiveness deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the collaboration system with the application user interface by integrating collaboration control elements directly into the application's control elements. This allows collaboration functions to be invoked seamlessly within the application context, resolving the contradiction by combining what was previously separate (collaboration system and application UI) into a unified interface that maintains both simplicity and effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates control elements that serve multiple functions - they operate as standard application controls for individual user interaction and simultaneously function as collaboration controls when activated by collaborative icons. This multi-functionality allows the same interface elements to support both application operations and collaboration activities, eliminating the need for separate independent collaboration systems.
2Reliability
If code-based integration is used with collaboration objects, then collaboration functionality is achieved, but adaptation labor and error probability increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses interface definitions that can be copied and reused across different control elements and applications. Instead of writing custom code for each integration, standardized interface definitions are created once and then instantiated multiple times, dramatically reducing adaptation labor while maintaining reliable collaboration functionality through consistent interface contracts.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the integration mechanism into distinct, reusable components: control elements, collaborative icons, and interface definitions. This segmentation allows each component to be developed, tested, and maintained independently, reducing the complexity and labor of adaptation while ensuring reliable functionality through modular design.
3Loss of information
If full desktop sharing is provided to all participants, then collaboration visibility is improved, but security and access control deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing different levels of access and visibility to different users based on their roles and permissions. Instead of uniform full desktop sharing, the system selectively shares specific control elements and information with appropriate users, maintaining security while ensuring each participant receives the visibility they need for their collaborative tasks.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of access control from a binary state (all-or-nothing desktop sharing) to a granular state where access rights, visibility levels, and permission scopes can be individually adjusted for each user and control element. This allows the system to optimize both security and collaboration visibility by tailoring parameters to specific collaboration scenarios and user roles.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an application (48) adapted for collaboration by a plurality of users, the application comprising a processing logic (49), a user interface (41), the user interface comprising at least one control element (200) adapted to receive collaborative input, wherein the at least one control element (200) is linked to a collaboration utility (21), the collaboration utility (21) being adapted to generate the collaborative input for the control element (200) based on the individual inputs of at least some of the plurality of users.