Shared File Editing Conflict Management via Portion Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing file sharing systems in networks often restrict simultaneous editing of different portions of a file, leading to inconvenient operations and potential data inconsistency, as they either require users to designate access portions unnecessarily or waste network resources by updating information at predetermined times.
Innovation Solution
A system where a server manages shared files across client apparatuses, allowing users to edit different portions simultaneously by checking for conflicts and using graphic user interfaces to request and grant editing rights dynamically, preventing simultaneous editing of the same portion and maintaining data consistency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a file is restricted to prevent simultaneous editing by multiple users, then data consistency is maintained, but editing efficiency and user convenience deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides a file into multiple portions and implements separate management for each portion. When one user edits a specific portion, other users can simultaneously edit different portions. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by allowing parallel editing operations while maintaining data consistency within each portion through exclusive control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic editing rights management where access permissions are not fixed but can be changed in real-time based on current editing status. The system dynamically grants or revokes editing rights for specific portions when users open or close files, enabling flexible simultaneous editing while preventing conflicts.
2Productivity
If a file is divided into portions with separate management, then simultaneous editing at different portions is enabled, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal file management mechanism that handles both exclusive and simultaneous editing scenarios through the same system framework. The file management unit provides multi-functional support for different access patterns (read-only, read-write, simultaneous editing) without requiring separate specialized systems, thereby managing complexity while enabling sophisticated editing capabilities.
3Reliability
If editing rights are assigned preliminarily to avoid conflicts, then data consistency is maintained, but user flexibility and ease of operation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service mechanism where users automatically acquire editing rights for file portions when they open them for editing, and rights are automatically released when they close the file. This eliminates the need for preliminary manual assignment of editing rights while maintaining data consistency through automatic exclusive control, greatly improving user flexibility and ease of operation.
Data Source
AI summary
In a system where files are shared by a plurality of client apparatuses through a network, when an access to a file in the shared files by a first client apparatus is received, it is decided whether the file is under editing by a second client apparatus or not, with reference to file management data. When the accessed file is not edited by a second client apparatus, the second client apparatus editing the file including a portion which the first client apparatus intends to edit, a first graphic user interface is presented for notifying whether the second apparatus permits or rejects editing of the portion by the first client apparatus. When a notification to permit editing of the portion is received, the first client apparatus is allowed to open the file in a status wherein editing of the portion is permitted.