Multi-Level Access Control for Collaborative CAx Design
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current computer-aided technologies (CAx) are limited to single-user paradigms, restricting simultaneous editing and collaboration on component designs, lacking multi-level access control and synchronization across multiple users.
Innovation Solution
A multi-user CAx environment with a data module, display module, and editing module, utilizing a synchronization module to manage access levels, allowing multiple users to collaborate by accessing and editing component designs across different access levels, with features like geometrical selectors and access lists, and data storage in a database.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If single-user paradigm is used, then file access control is simple, but collaboration efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the database into multiple work areas with different access levels (first, second, and third levels). Users can be granted access to specific work areas based on their needs, allowing simultaneous collaboration while maintaining simple control through hierarchical segmentation of data access rights.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multi-user access is allowed, then collaboration capability is improved, but data consistency is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic access control where the synchronization module automatically adjusts user access levels in real-time based on current work area conditions and user profiles. This dynamic mechanism allows multiple users to collaborate simultaneously while maintaining data consistency through automated permission management that adapts to changing collaboration needs.
3Productivity
If simultaneous editing is enabled, then productivity increases, but conflict management becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a synchronization module as an intermediary that manages all access requests between users and the database. This mediator automatically resolves conflicts by enforcing access levels and coordinating edits across work areas, enabling simultaneous editing while simplifying conflict management through centralized automated control.
4Reliability
If access restrictions are implemented, then data security is improved, but user flexibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by implementing different access levels for different work areas within the same database. Users can have full flexibility in work areas where they are granted higher access levels while security restrictions are applied only to sensitive areas, allowing data security improvement without unnecessarily reducing overall user flexibility.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for collaborating on a component a first multi-user CAx environment including a data module. The first multi-user CAx environment corresponds to a first profile. The data module is configured to access data relating to a component design in a database. The database relates to a group of function-based commands. A synchronization module is configured to cause the data module to access at least one work area relating to the component design according to one of at least three access levels when at least one predetermined criterion is met, and another one of the at least three access levels when the at least one predetermined criterion is not met. A method for designing a component is also disclosed.