Molecular Structure Editor Concurrent Editing with CRDTs
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current computer-based systems face challenges in managing concurrent edits to molecular structure data, particularly in distributed networks, where conflicts can arise and the history of edits is not preserved, leading to inconsistencies and loss of edit intent.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing undirected graphs, Lamport logical clocks, and conflict-free replicated data types (CRDTs) to ensure simultaneous, versioned editing of molecular structures across multiple users, preventing conflicts and maintaining edit history through globally unique timestamps and causal trees.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple users edit molecular structure data concurrently in a distributed network, then productivity and collaboration are improved, but conflicts and inconsistencies arise leading to loss of data integrity
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by establishing global timestamps and causal relationships before conflicts occur. Each edit operation is pre-tagged with a unique timestamp and causal parent reference, creating a predetermined ordering framework that prevents conflicts before they happen. This preliminary structuring of edit operations ensures that even concurrent edits can be reliably merged without inconsistency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism in the form of a central server that coordinates edit operations across distributed users. The server acts as a mediator that receives edit operations, assigns global timestamps, tracks causal relationships, and ensures consistent propagation of changes to all users. This intermediary layer prevents direct conflicts by orchestrating the sequence and visibility of edits across the distributed network.
2Ease of operation
If concurrent edits are allowed without coordination, then ease of operation is improved, but atomic consistency and edit integrity are violated
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service concurrent editing where each user can independently make edits without blocking others or requiring explicit coordination. The automatic timestamp assignment and causal relationship tracking occur without user intervention, allowing free concurrent editing while maintaining atomic consistency through the inherent ordering mechanism built into each edit operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter space of edit operations by adding timestamp and causal parent references to each edit. These additional parameters transform unordered concurrent edits into ordered, traceable operations. By modifying the structure of edit data to include temporal and causal information, the system maintains atomic consistency while allowing operational freedom.
3Device complexity
If edit history is not preserved in concurrent editing systems, then device complexity is reduced, but loss of information about edit intent and provenance occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the edit history into discrete, atomic edit operations, each with its own timestamp and causal parent reference. This segmentation allows the history to be stored as a series of independent, traceable units rather than a monolithic record. Each segment (individual edit) contains sufficient information to reconstruct the full provenance chain, preserving edit intent without requiring complex centralized history management.
Data Source
AI summary
Computer-based methods that permit two or more users to perform simultaneous edits on a digitally encoded molecular structure. The methods use properties of conflict-free replicated data types (CRDT's) and causal trees to provide a distributed system which can manage the life-cycle of virtual molecular structures; including simultaneous editing, versioning, and provenance. Applications of the technology include, but are not limited to: simultaneous computer aided design of molecules in 2D or 3D in which users may be distributed across multiple computers and in which the need for computer time synchronization (offline or online editing) is obviated; version control and provenance tracking of a virtual molecule; and other types of data used in computer aided molecular design activities.