Layered Document Collaboration System for Concurrent Editing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current document collaboration tools are inefficient and frustrating due to sequential, non-concurrent editing processes, leading to delays and confusion among multiple users working on the same document, as they require waiting for each user's turn and create multiple redundant file versions.
Innovation Solution
A real-time document collaboration system that allows multiple users to simultaneously view and edit a shared document, with annotations and modifications stored in separate user layers, enabling concurrent editing and dynamic presentation of changes, and integrating with conferencing solutions for enhanced collaboration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple users work sequentially on separate document versions with tracking, then each user can make edits without interference, but the process creates delays and requires waiting for each user's turn
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the document into multiple layers, with each user's annotations stored in a separate layer. This allows multiple users to work simultaneously on the same document without interfering with each other's edits, eliminating the need for sequential turns while maintaining edit accuracy through layer isolation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new dimension to document collaboration by using layered annotation structures instead of sequential file versions. Users' annotations are stacked in different layers above the base document, enabling concurrent editing in the same document space rather than creating separate version files over time.
2Loss of information
If multiple users create separate document versions with their edits, then each user's contributions are preserved, but multiple redundant file versions are created requiring manual reconciliation
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges all users' annotations into a single multi-layered document structure. Instead of creating separate file versions for each user, all contributions are integrated into one document with distinct layers for each user's annotations, eliminating redundant file versions while preserving all user contributions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the concept of copying annotations into separate layers rather than creating separate document files. Each user's annotations are copied into their own layer within the same document, allowing all contributions to be preserved without generating multiple redundant file versions that require manual reconciliation.
3Loss of information
If users review multiple separate document versions to understand all inputs, then complete collaboration history is visible, but the process becomes slow and frustrating
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides dynamic control over layer visibility, allowing users to selectively show or hide specific annotation layers. This enables efficient review of collaboration history by displaying only relevant user contributions at any given time, rather than requiring users to manually review all separate document versions to understand complete collaboration context.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and methodology for collaboration and display among a plurality of users. The system is comprised of mapping logic defining a mapped structure for storing a plurality of separate layers of data in a plurality of data layers; and, storage for storing layer data in selected ones of said plurality of separate data layers, responsive to the mapping logic. The mapping logic associates user image data for each of at least two of the plurality of users for storage as respective said layer data in a respective one of the separate data layers. The system is further comprised of display definition logic controlling which of the plurality of data layers are utilized in providing a display presentation to at least one of the plurality of users. In an alternate embodiment, the system is further comprised of display mapping logic determining a hierarchial structuring for utilization within the display presentation of each respective said one of the data layers, placed within the combined display presentation according to the mapping logic, to appear atop one another within the display presentation, with a precedence of display presence, for providing a combined display presentation; and, display generation logic responsive to the display definition logic, the storage, the mapping logic, and the display mapping logic, for providing the combined display presentation comprising the display presentation associated with a first said data layer of the plurality of data layers appearing within the combined display presentation.