Geographic Area Locking for Concurrent Database Editing
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Solution Overview
Problem
In collaborative editing of geographic features in shared geographic databases, existing systems lack effective mechanisms to prevent conflicts between overlapping editing areas, leading to potential data inconsistencies and unauthorized edits.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that allow users to select and define geographic areas by coordinates, with an intersection module determining if areas overlap, and a lock module preventing edits in non-intersecting areas, ensuring exclusive editing rights and notifying users of intersections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple users can simultaneously edit geographic features in a shared database, then productivity and collaboration are improved, but data consistency and conflict prevention deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the geographic database into spatial segments (geographic areas) that can be independently locked and edited. Each user is assigned a specific geographic area to edit, preventing overlapping edits and ensuring data consistency while maintaining simultaneous collaboration across different regions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a locking mechanism as an intermediary between users and the database. This mediator assigns and manages editing rights to specific geographic areas, coordinating access between multiple users and preventing direct conflicts while enabling collaborative editing.
2Reliability
If a locking mechanism is implemented to prevent overlapping edits, then data consistency is improved, but ease of operation and user flexibility deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism that notifies users when their desired geographic area is locked by another user. This allows users to understand the locking status and adjust their editing plans accordingly, maintaining data consistency while providing transparent communication about operational constraints.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If geographic areas are locked to prevent conflicts, then harmful factors (overlapping edits) are reduced, but device complexity and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies locking only to specific geographic areas where conflicts are detected, rather than locking the entire database. This localized approach prevents harmful overlapping edits in contested regions while maintaining open access to non-conflicting areas, reducing overall system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods, and computer storage mediums are provided for collaboratively editing geographic features in a shared geographic database. An example method includes receiving a request from a first user to edit data associated with a plurality of geographic features geocoded within a first geographic area. The first geographic area is selected by the first user and defined by a first set of coordinates. The method then determines whether the first geographic area intersects a second geographic area. The second geographic area is selected by a second user and defined by a second set of coordinates. The intersection between the first and second sets of coordinates is determined by comparing the coordinates of the first and second geographic areas. When the first and second geographic areas do not intersect, the method locks the first geographic area to prevent other users from editing the geographic features geolocated within the first geographic area.