Virtual Collaboration Objects for Portion-Level Document Sharing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current document collaboration systems do not allow users to efficiently share specific portions of a document, requiring users to create new documents when they want to collaborate on only certain parts, which is inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for creating and sharing virtual collaboration objects, where users can specify portions of stored digital source objects to include in a virtual collaboration object, generating a metadata list and collaboration object ID, and controlling access through an access control list, allowing sharing of specific document parts without creating a new physical object.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the entire document is shared with other users for collaboration, then collaboration capability is enabled, but control over sharing specific portions is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the document into multiple portions and creates separate collaboration objects for each portion. This allows the author to share only specific portions with collaborators while maintaining control over what is shared. The segmentation principle directly resolves the contradiction by enabling portion-level sharing control without requiring to share the entire document.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new dimension of control by creating virtual collaboration objects that reference specific portions of the original document. Instead of sharing the entire document or nothing, the system adds a portion-selection dimension, allowing authors to selectively share content. This dimensional approach resolves the contradiction by providing granular control over sharing scope.
2Ease of operation
If a new document is created to share specific parts, then portion-specific sharing is achieved, but time and effort are wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates virtual copies of document portions rather than requiring physical duplication. The collaboration objects are lightweight references to specific portions of the original document, not full copies. This copying approach enables portion-specific sharing while avoiding the time-consuming process of creating and managing separate physical document copies.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the original document serve multiple functions simultaneously - it remains the source document while also being the basis for multiple virtual collaboration objects. Each collaboration object references the original document, allowing the original to function as both the master copy and the source for multiple shared portions. This multi-functionality eliminates the need to create separate documents, resolving the time loss contradiction.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the entire document is shared, then all content is accessible to collaborators, but access control over specific portions is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments access control by creating separate collaboration objects for different document portions. Each collaboration object can have its own access control list, allowing the author to grant different levels of access to different collaborators for different portions. This segmentation enables precise access control while maintaining collaboration efficiency, as collaborators only access the portions they need rather than the entire document.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different access control qualities to different portions of the document. Each collaboration object can have customized permissions and access control lists tailored to its specific content and intended collaborators. This local quality approach allows the author to optimize access control for each portion independently, improving both security and collaboration efficiency by giving collaborators exactly the access they need for their specific tasks.
4Quantity of substance
If physical document duplication is avoided, then storage and management efficiency is improved, but mechanisms for portion identification are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces metadata lists as intermediaries between the original document and the collaboration objects. The metadata list stores portion identification information and acts as a mediator that connects collaborators to the specific portions of the original document without requiring physical duplication. This intermediary approach enables efficient storage (no duplication) while managing the complexity of portion identification through a structured metadata system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates lightweight metadata copies instead of physical document copies. The metadata list contains references and identification information for document portions, serving as a minimal-copy representation that enables portion access without duplicating the actual document content. This copying strategy reduces storage requirements while providing the necessary portion identification mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and machine-implemented method for creating and sharing virtual collaboration objects, including receiving a request from a user to create a virtual collaboration object, the request identifying one or more portions of each of one or more stored digital source objects for inclusion in the virtual collaboration object, where for at least one of the stored digital source objects, the one or more portions comprise less than the full stored digital source object, creating a metadata list in response to the request including the one or more stored digital source objects and portion information identifying the one or more portions of each of the one or more stored digital source objects, generating a collaboration object identifier (ID) corresponding to the virtual collaboration object, associating the metadata list with the collaboration object ID and providing a reference to the collaboration object ID for sharing with one or more other users.