Document Collaboration System Using Layered Data Architecture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current document collaboration tools are inefficient and non-concurrent, requiring sequential user input and leading to delays, confusion, and loss of momentum, as they often involve creating multiple document versions and relying on single-user control, which hinders collaborative work on shared files.
Innovation Solution
A document collaboration system that allows multiple users to concurrently view and edit a shared document, with real-time annotation and tracking of user inputs, using a peer-to-peer architecture that separates user inputs into distinct data layers for customized presentation and management, enabling simultaneous editing and annotation on a common base image.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If sequential user input is used in document collaboration tools, then single-user control is maintained, but collaboration efficiency and speed are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments user inputs into distinct data layers, allowing multiple users to simultaneously edit different portions of the document without interfering with each other. Each user's inputs are stored in separate layers that can be independently managed and combined, enabling concurrent collaboration while maintaining clear control over each user's contributions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new dimension by organizing data into multiple layers rather than a single sequential stream. This layered structure allows simultaneous operations from multiple users to coexist in the same time space, transforming the traditional sequential collaboration model into a concurrent multi-dimensional approach.
2Loss of information
If multiple document versions are created for each user edit, then user contributions are tracked, but system complexity and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of creating separate document files for each user, the patent segments the document into a base version and multiple data layers. Each layer contains the inputs from specific users, allowing all contributions to be tracked and displayed simultaneously within a single document structure, eliminating the need for multiple version files.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges all user inputs into a unified multi-layer document structure rather than managing separate version files. The base document and all user layers are combined into a single cohesive structure that can be displayed and edited concurrently, reducing system complexity while maintaining complete contribution history.
3Adaptability or versatility
If all users view all document versions simultaneously, then complete collaboration is enabled, but confusion and loss of momentum occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by allowing each user to view and edit specific layers corresponding to their contributions, while also having the option to view other layers. This selective visibility maintains complete collaboration awareness while allowing users to focus on relevant information, preventing confusion from overwhelming amounts of simultaneous data.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and methodology for collaboration among a plurality of users at a plurality of computing appliances. A respective one computing appliance of the plurality of computing appliances is for use by each respective one user of the plurality of users. Each said respective one computing appliance is comprised of a processor, a display apparatus providing a display presentation, and a communications interface providing coupling of data between itself and at least one other of the plurality of computing appliances. A memory provides storage that is associatively structured as a plurality of data layers. Each of the data layers is associatively mapped to a respective at least one of said plurality of computing appliances, to provide mapped storage in each respective data layer of respective layer data representative of annotations originated from at least one respective one of said plurality of computing appliances, preferably for each of at least two of said plurality of the computing appliances. The display apparatus at at least one of said plurality of the computing appliances provides a display presentation generated responsive to said at least two of the plurality of the data layers. In one embodiment, the display apparatus for at least two of the computing appliances provide a same said display presentation. In a preferred embodiment, said same said display presentation is comprised of an underlying image which appears as an underlying display relative to which is aligned a display presentation of the annotations as made atop the respective underlying image.