Local Document Cache for Seamless Remote Editing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Content management systems face performance issues due to the need for users to access and edit documents through a network, leading to complex operations and dependency on network speed and connectivity, which hinders seamless editing experiences.
Innovation Solution
A system that enables users to edit remotely managed documents locally by synchronizing content from a content management server to a client device, allowing editing with a single click, using a sync agent and edit client control module to automatically download, edit, and upload documents asynchronously, while maintaining global document links and inter-document linking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If users access and edit documents through a content management server over a network, then centralized content management and control are achieved, but system performance and user experience deteriorate due to network dependency and complex operations
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments document access into two parts: local cache storage for fast access and network storage for centralized management. The client device maintains a local cache of frequently accessed documents, allowing rapid editing operations locally while the content management server retains ultimate control and stores the authoritative version of documents.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a content management server as an intermediary that coordinates between local client devices and centralized storage. The server manages document versions, handles synchronization, and maintains access control policies, enabling both local performance and centralized management to coexist.
2Productivity
If users download and edit documents locally, then editing speed and user experience improve, but document version control and synchronization complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The client device automatically manages document synchronization and version control without requiring user intervention. The system self-service handles downloading documents to local cache, detecting local modifications, uploading changes to the server, and resolving version conflicts automatically, reducing the perceived complexity for users.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the content management server provides information about document versions, modification status, and synchronization state to client devices. This feedback enables automatic version control and conflict resolution, managing complexity through systematic information exchange rather than user coordination.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple users simultaneously access and edit the same document through the content management server, then collaborative editing is enabled, but access control conflicts and synchronization issues arise
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by establishing access control policies and document reservation mechanisms before multiple users attempt to edit the same document. The content management server pre-configures who can access and modify documents, preventing conflicts before they occur and enabling stable collaborative editing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic access control where document permissions and reservation status can change based on current editing state. When a user reserves a document for editing, the system dynamically adjusts access for other users, allowing collaborative editing while maintaining stability through adaptive permission management.
4Reliability
If all document accesses are made through the content management server, then centralized control is maintained, but system performance depends heavily on network speed and connectivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adds a spatial dimension to document storage by implementing both local cache storage on client devices and remote storage on the content management server. This multi-dimensional storage architecture allows documents to be accessed from the nearest available location (local or remote), improving speed without sacrificing centralized control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-loading documents into local cache on client devices before they are needed for editing. This advance preparation reduces network dependency during actual editing operations, improving access speed while the content management server maintains centralized control over the authoritative document versions.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method that enables editing capabilities of content accessed from a content management server using any type of locally-installed application is provided. In some embodiments, a content management server stores documents in a cache on the user's computer. Documents can thus be accessed and edited using the document in the local file system of the user. For example, users may open, reserve or lock, download, and edit documents with a single user action such as a click. Advantageously, the teachings of embodiments as described can be used in conjunction with content management systems for improving the user experiences involved in editing documents by providing an ‘instant’ and ‘seamless’ editing experience substantially equivalent to editing files on a local hard disk.