Document Editing Modes for Real-Time Collaboration and Controlled Publication

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing content collaboration systems lack the ability to provide both real-time synchronous editing and controlled publication modes, leading to inefficiencies in document editing and sharing, particularly when teams want to keep edits hidden from a wider audience until completion.

Innovation Solution

A content collaboration system that supports both synchronous editing mode, where edits are visible in real-time to all users, and publication-controlled editing mode, where edits are only visible after a publication request, allowing users to collaborate while keeping changes hidden until explicitly shared.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If synchronous editing mode is used where edits are visible in real-time to all users, then collaboration efficiency is improved, but the ability to keep edits confidential until completion deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecollaboration efficiencyVSAvoidconfidentiality of edits

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically switches between synchronous editing mode (where edits are visible in real-time) and publication-controlled editing mode (where edits are hidden until publication). This allows the same document to adapt its visibility characteristics based on the current collaboration phase, resolving the contradiction between real-time collaboration efficiency and edit confidentiality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the visibility parameter of document edits based on the selected editing mode. In synchronous mode, the visibility parameter is set to 'real-time visible', while in publication-controlled mode, it is set to 'hidden until publication'. This parameter change allows the system to satisfy both contradictory requirements at different times.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Loss of information

If publication-controlled editing mode is used where edits are only visible after publication, then confidentiality of edits is improved, but real-time collaboration capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconfidentiality of editsVSAvoidreal-time collaboration capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system allows dynamic switching between publication-controlled editing mode and synchronous editing mode, enabling teams to transition from confidential drafting (where confidentiality is prioritized) to collaborative refinement (where real-time collaboration is prioritized), thus resolving the contradiction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary editing in publication-controlled mode where changes are kept confidential, then transitions to synchronous mode for final collaborative review and editing. This preliminary action allows confidential work to be done first, then real-time collaboration to occur, resolving the contradiction between confidentiality and collaboration capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Device complexity

If a single editing mode is provided, then system simplicity is improved, but versatility in editing approaches deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem simplicityVSAvoidversatility in editing approaches

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The content collaboration system provides multiple editing modes (synchronous and publication-controlled) within a single unified platform. This multi-functionality allows the system to handle different collaboration scenarios and team preferences without requiring separate systems, thus resolving the contradiction between simplicity and versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20250217577A1System and graphical user interface for document editing and publication control

Publication Date: 2025.07.03 ATLASSIAN PTY LTD

AI summary

A method may include causing a client computer to display a graphical user interface including a content panel configured to display a selected document in a publication-controlled editing mode and in a synchronous editing mode and a navigational panel including a hierarchical element tree. The method may further include, in response to a selection, from a first user, of a selectable element in the hierarchical element tree, causing the document to be displayed in the content panel in the synchronous editing mode. The method may further include, in response to receiving from the first user a request to edit the document in the publication-controlled editing mode, causing the document to be displayed in the content panel in the publication-controlled editing mode.