Document Version Genealogy via Embedded RSID Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Managing multiple versions of documents is complex due to the lack of tools that can accurately determine genealogical relationships between versions, especially when meta-information like DMS version information is absent or modified, making it difficult for authors and collaborators to decide on appropriate actions.
Innovation Solution
A software tool that extracts and utilizes Revision Sequence IDs (RSIDs) from Microsoft Word documents to establish genealogical relationships by analyzing the content of RTF, DOC, DOCX, and DOCM files, determining ancestor relationships based on common and subset RSIDs, and constructing a genealogical tree to track document versions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If Document Management Systems are used to track document versions, then document version tracking capability is improved, but the system cannot determine genealogical relationships when meta-information is absent or modified
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses RSIDs as an intermediary mechanism to establish document genealogy. Instead of relying on external meta-information that may be missing or modified, the system embeds RSIDs within the document content itself, which serve as reliable identifiers that travel with the document through all copies and versions, enabling genealogical determination even when other metadata is unavailable.
Solution Approach 2:
The system extracts RSIDs from document content rather than relying on external metadata copies. By analyzing the actual RSID values embedded in document files, the system creates a reliable genealogical record that is independent of file names, timestamps, or other metadata that may be copied incorrectly or modified during document transmission and editing.
2Measurement precision
If manual tracking of document versions is performed, then genealogical relationships can be determined, but time consumption and operational complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service genealogy determination by automatically extracting RSIDs from document content and computing genealogical relationships without human intervention. The automated analysis of RSID sequences allows the system to independently establish document version histories, eliminating the need for manual tracking while maintaining high accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical tracking processes with automated computational analysis. Instead of manually comparing document versions and tracking changes, the system uses algorithmic analysis of RSID sequences to automatically determine genealogical relationships, significantly reducing time and operational complexity.
3Ease of operation
If file metadata such as timestamps and file names are used for version tracking, then tracking process is simplified, but these metadata may be altered or lost in copied files
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts the essential version identification information (RSIDs) from within the document content itself, separating it from external metadata like file names and timestamps. By taking out the critical version identifiers from the vulnerable metadata layer and embedding them in the immutable document content, the system ensures reliable version tracking regardless of metadata modifications.
Data Source
AI summary
This invention discloses a novel system and method for determining the genealogy of versions of a document by inspection of content extracted from the document. In one embodiment, the invention extracts a set of revision identifier values from each version of a document and then applies logical rules to the extracted set of revision identifier values to determine which versions of the document are ancestors of the other versions.