Data Sharing System for Collaborative Product Development

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Solution Overview

Problem

In collaborative product development processes, data inconsistencies arise due to simultaneous editing by multiple entities, leading to logical corruption and unreliability, as different groups work on project components without proper data management.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a data sharing system that separates data into locked and unlocked sets, where only authorized entities can modify the unlocked data, ensuring data integrity and consistency by defining permissions based on entity hierarchy and function, and integrating changes back into the master data set.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If multiple entities are allowed to edit data simultaneously in collaborative product development, then productivity and collaboration are improved, but data consistency and reliability deteriorate due to logical corruption

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecollaborative development efficiencyVSAvoiddata consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the data set into locked and unlocked portions, allowing simultaneous access and editing by multiple entities while preventing logical corruption. The unlocked data can be modified by authorized entities, while the locked data maintains consistency and integrity, resolving the contradiction between collaborative efficiency and data reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a data management system as an intermediary that controls access to locked and unlocked data portions. This intermediary ensures that multiple entities can collaborate efficiently while maintaining data consistency through controlled access and modification mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If data is made accessible to multiple entities for collaborative editing, then ease of operation is improved, but data integrity deteriorates due to unauthorized changes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata accessibilityVSAvoiddata integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different access qualities to different portions of the data. The unlocked data portion is accessible and modifiable by authorized entities, while the locked data portion maintains integrity and is protected from unauthorized changes. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between ease of operation and data integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic data access control where the system can transition data between locked and unlocked states based on authorization. This dynamic mechanism allows authorized entities to access and modify data when needed while automatically protecting data integrity when locked, resolving the contradiction between accessibility and integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If comprehensive data access is provided to all entities, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases due to need for reconciliation processes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata sharing flexibilityVSAvoidreconciliation process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments data into locked and unlocked portions, which simplifies the data sharing architecture. Authorized entities can access and modify unlocked data without triggering complex reconciliation processes, as the locked data maintains consistent integrity. This segmentation reduces system complexity while maintaining adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a copy of the data set that can be selectively accessed and modified. This copying mechanism allows entities to work with data independently without requiring complex real-time reconciliation, as each entity works with their own copy of the unlocked portion while the master locked data maintains consistency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentUS8499036B2Collaborative design process
Publication Date: 2013.07.30 SAP SE
  • US8499036B2 patent drawing
  • US8499036B2 patent drawing
  • US8499036B2 patent drawing

AI summary

Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, for sharing information. The technique includes defining a stored data set maintained by a first entity to include a locked data set and an unlocked data set, and providing a second entity with access to the stored data set. The second entity has permission to view the locked data set and to change only the unlocked data set.