Hierarchical Document Set View for Concurrent Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current document management systems struggle to efficiently manage and display multiple documents and pages as a cohesive whole, particularly in collaborative workflows, due to limitations in file locking, version tracking, and flexibility in page ordering, especially when dealing with PDF documents.
Innovation Solution
A method for computerized presentation and sorting of multiple documents and pages, which includes generating a document set view by correlating original and addendum documents using unique page identifiers and priority identifiers, allowing for automated identification of updates and revisions, and enabling flexible ordering and arrangement of pages across multiple documents.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If multiple documents are stored as separate files in a hierarchical file system, then file locking issues are avoided and concurrent access is possible, but the documents cannot be viewed and navigated as a cohesive whole
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the document collection into a hierarchical structure where a master document contains references to multiple subordinate documents. Each document can be independently accessed and managed, yet the hierarchical relationships enable unified navigation. The system divides the document management task into: (1) master document level for overall structure and navigation, (2) subordinate document level for detailed content and independent editing
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a nested document structure where subordinate documents are embedded within or referenced by a master document. The master document acts as a container that organizes multiple subordinate documents in a hierarchical manner, allowing users to navigate from the master document down to specific subordinate documents and back up, creating a cohesive viewing experience while maintaining independent file status
2Loss of information
If all pertinent files are opened concurrently to view the document as a whole, then complete project accessibility is achieved, but file locking issues arise and complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The master document serves multiple functions simultaneously: (1) it provides a unified navigation interface for viewing the complete project, (2) it maintains hierarchical relationships with subordinate documents, (3) it enables selective access to individual documents without requiring all files to be open, and (4) it tracks relationships between documents. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need to open all files concurrently while maintaining complete project visibility
3Productivity
If documents are segregated into multiple files by business unit, then concurrent revisions are possible, but tracking updates and presenting the most recent version becomes error-prone
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements automatic feedback mechanisms where the system continuously monitors and tracks hierarchical relationships between master and subordinate documents. When a subordinate document is updated, the system automatically detects the change, updates the relationship metadata, and ensures the most recent version is presented. This automated feedback loop eliminates manual version tracking errors while preserving concurrent revision capabilities
4Device complexity
If a single document file is used to maintain document cohesion, then navigation as a whole is enabled, but file locking issues prevent concurrent access by multiple users
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the single document into a master document and multiple subordinate documents, each stored as separate files. This segmentation allows multiple users to concurrently edit different subordinate documents without file locking conflicts, while the hierarchical structure maintained by the master document ensures the collection can still be navigated as a cohesive whole
Data Source
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Figure 4A~4C
AI summary
A method of computerized presentation of a plurality documents is disclosed. There is at least one original document with at least one original document page, and an addendum document with at least one addendum document page. A first selection of the at least one original document is received. There is a page sequencing array defined by an arrangement of each original document. A second selection of the addendum document is received. Each of the at least one addendum document page is correlated to an original document page. A document set is generated using the first selection and the second selection. For each addendum document in the document set, a priority identifier is determined. A document set view is generated from the document set with the original document pages and the addendum document pages, and is defined by an ordered page selection according to the page sequencing array.