Shared data with relationship information

• US 10,248,686 B2
• Filed: 06/20/2013
• Issued: 04/02/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 06/21/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Tekla Corporation
• Original Assignee: Tekla Corporation
• Inventors: Rantanen, Teemu, Wessman, Ragnar
• Primary Examiner(s): Brooks, David T.
• Application Number:
  US13/923,063
• Publication Number:
  US 20130346432A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,112 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/176 Support for shared access to files; File sharing support
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/24 Querying
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/904 Browsing; Visualisation therefor for navigating the web G06F16/954; browsing optimisation for the web G06F16/957
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 30/00 Computer-aided design [CAD]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 30/13 Architectural design, e.g. computer-aided architectural design [CAAD] related to design of buildings, bridges, landscapes, production plants or roads
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/35 model driven
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/101 Collaborative creation, e.g. joint development of products or services
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/103 Workflow collaboration or project management

Abstract

To enable a shared model comprising shared plans having a hierarchy with two or more levels, a data item stored in a shared plan is provided with relationship information indicating whether or not there is a previous data item in the shared plan, whether or not there is a next data item in the shared plan, and whether or not the data item has a relationship to a data item in a higher level plan.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

maintaining a shared data in a shared model, the shared data comprising a plurality of shared plans where each shared plan comprises one or more data items in a sequential order, the plurality of shared plans comprising a master plan and at least one parallel plan and a plurality of alternative plans, wherein at least one of the plurality of alternative plans are capable of being selected to be deleted upon storing of the shared model; and

wherein each data item contains relationship information comprising an identifier, previous data item information, next data item information, and higher level relationship information;

associating a first data item stored in a shared plan selected from the group consisting of the master plan, the at least one parallel plan, and the plurality of alternative plans, with the relationship information indicating;

whether or not the first data item has a previous data item in the shared plan,

whether or not the first data item is associated with a next data item in the shared plan, and

whether or not the first data item has a relationship to a second data item in a higher level plan, information representing an existing relationship indicating that the first data item is a starting data item for the shared plan, and information representing a missing relationship indicating that the first data item is one of the one or more data items for the shared plan, wherein the plurality of data items further includes a third data item that is in a relationship with both the second data item in the higher level plan and another data item in the plurality of data items;

detecting that the first data item is unwanted;

obtaining the relationship information of the first data item and relationship information of data items subsequent to the first data item;

determining that none of the data items subsequent to the first data item are to be saved;

creating a new shared plan comprising a start packet, the start packet having no previous data item information but having next data information that indicates the next data item is the first data item; and

moving the first data item and the data items subsequent to the first data item to the new shared plan, the data items subsequent to the first data item being positioned subsequent to the first data item in the new shared plan.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

forming a hierarchical structure using the relationship information so that if there is a previous data item, the first data item is placed after the previous data item, if there is a next data item, the first data item is placed before the next data item and if the first data item has the relationship, linking the first data item and the second data item in the higher level plan.

3. A method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

obtaining a working copy of the shared plan by taking a snapshot from the first data item; and

creating tracking information for the plan, the tracking information indicating the first data item as a current data item.

4. A method as claimed in claim 3, further comprising performing a primary load by loading to the working copy from the shared model at least the previous data item of the current data item, if there is a previous data item.

5. A method as claimed in claim 4, further comprising:

receiving a load instruction as a user input;

searching for the first data item indicated as the current data item from the shared model;

finding the first data item;

checking whether the found data item is associated with a next data item;

loading the associated data item to the working copy;

checking whether the associated data item is associated with a next data item; and

repeating the loading and checking of associated data items until there is an associated data item that is not associated with a next data item.

6. A method as claimed in claim 4, further comprising:

receiving a save instruction as a user input;

searching for the first data item indicated as the current data item from the shared model;

finding the first data item;

checking whether the found data item is associated with a next data item;

if the found data item is associated with a next data item, loading the associated data item to the working copy, checking whether the associated data item is associated with a next data item; and

repeating the loading and checking of associated data items until there is an associated data item that is not associated with a next data item;

forming a further data item to be stored in the shared plan;

indicating the last loaded data item as a previous data item for the further data item;

storing the further data item with the indication of the previous data item in a shared memory;

associating the last loaded data item with information identifying the further data item as a next data item; and

updating the tracking information to indicate the further data item as the current data item.

7. A method as claimed in claim 4, further comprising:

receiving an instruction to load from a higher level shared plan as a user input;

searching for the third data item having a relationship to a higher level data item in the higher level plan from the shared plan;

finding the third data item;

searching for the higher level data item indicated in the relationship information of the third data item;

finding the higher level data item;

checking whether the found higher level data item is associated with a next data item;

loading the associated next data item from the higher level plan to the working copy;

checking whether the associated next data item is associated with a next data item; and

repeating the loading from the higher level plan to the working copy until there is an associated data item that is not associated with a next data item.

8. A method as claimed in claim 7, further comprising:

checking whether the found data item is associated with a next data item; and

searching for the higher level data item only and performing subsequent steps if the found data item is not associated with a next data item.

9. A method as claimed in claim 8, further comprising, if the found data item is associated with a next data item:

loading the associated data item to the working copy;

checking whether the associated data item is associated with a next data item;

repeating the loading and checking of associated data items until there is an associated data item that is not associated with a next data item, and only after that searching for the higher level data item and performing subsequent steps.

10. A method as claimed in claim 4, further comprising:

receiving an instruction to save in a higher level shared plan as a user input;

searching for the third data item having a relationship to a higher level data item in the higher level plan from the shared plan in the shared model;

finding the third data item;

searching for the higher level data item indicated in the relationship information of the third data item from the shared model;

finding the higher level data item;

checking whether or not the found higher level data item is associated with a next data item;

if not, forming a further higher level data item to be stored to the higher level shared plan;

indicating the found higher level data item as a previous data item for the further data item;

storing the further higher level data item with the indication of the previous data item in the shared memory; and

associating the found higher level data item with information identifying the further data item as a next data item.

11. A method as claimed in claim 10, further comprising in response to storing the further higher level data item:

forming a further data item;

indicating in the relationship information of the further data item the further higher level data item as the relationship in the higher level plan; and

storing the further data item to the shared plan.

12. A method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

receiving as a user input an instruction to move a first shared plan having a second shared plan as a higher level plan below a third shared plan having the second shared plan as the higher level plan;

checking whether or not there is in the second shared plan a data item that is stored from the third plan and loaded to the first plan as a last performed higher level action; and

if there is, moving the first shared plan below the third plan by associating in the first shared plan the higher level relationship information of a data item whereto the loading was performed with a data item in the third shared plan as the higher level relationship, the data item in the third plan indicating in its higher level relationship the data item stored in the second shared plan.

13. A method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

receiving as a user input an instruction to move a first shared plan having a second shared plan as a higher level plan below a third shared plan which is as the higher level plan of the second shared plan;

checking whether or not the last higher level relationship of the first shared plan indicates loading from the second shared plan;

if yes, checking whether or not a data item in the second shared plan and indicated by the higher level relationship of the first shared plan has been stored in the third shared plan;

if yes, moving the first shared plan below the third plan by associating in the first shared plan the higher level relationship information of a data item whereto the loading was performed with a data item in the third plan indicated by the relationship information of the data item in the second plan.

14. A method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

receiving as a user input an instruction to make a plan unusable from a data item;

checking whether or not storing in a higher level plan has been performed in the data item or after the data item;

if not, removing the association indicating the data item as a next data item.

15. A method as claimed in claim 4, further comprising:

receiving a save instruction as a user input;

searching for the first data item indicated as the current data item from the shared model;

finding the first data item;

checking whether the first data item is associated with a next data item;

if the first data item is associated with a next data item;

forming a starting data item for a new plan and a second data item, the starting data having as relationship information no previous data item, the second data item as the next data item, and a relationship to the found data item indicated as the current data item in the plan the save instruction was targeted to, the plan being a higher level plan for the new plan, the second data item having as relationship information the starting data item as the previous data item and no next data item and no relationship to a data item in the higher level plan; and

storing the starting data item and the second data item in the shared model as the new plan.

16. A method comprising:

maintaining in a shared memory a shared model that comprises a hierarchical plan structure, a highest plan comprising one or more data items, each of the data items indicating that it does not have a relationship to a data item in a higher level plan, the highest plan forming the final plan for the model, and one or more other shared plans, each other plan comprising one or more data items, at least one of the data items having a relationship to a data item in the highest plan or in a higher level plan between the other plan and the highest plan in the hierarchical plan structure, the hierarchical plan structure being formed by means of the relationships of the data items, each of the one or more other plans being a parallel plan intended to be saved in the highest plan or in the higher level plan when it is ready for storing, or alternative plans such that one of the alternative plans is selected to be saved in the highest plan or in the higher level plan, and other alternative plans that are not selected to be saved are capable of being selected to be deleted when the shared model is stored, wherein each data item contains relationship information comprising an identifier, previous data item information, next data item information, and higher level relationship information;

forming a first data item to be added to a first plan of the one or more other shared plans;

associating the first data item stored in a shared plan selected from the group consisting of the master plan, the at least one parallel plan, and the plurality of alternative plans with information identifying a previous data item in the shared plan;

storing the first data item in the shared model;

associating the previous data item with information identifying the first data item as a next data item, such that the first data item and the previous data item are in a sequential order in the first plan, wherein at least one data item in the first plan is in a relationship with both a data item in the higher level plan and another data item in the first plan;

detecting that the first data item is unwanted;

obtaining the relationship information of the first data item and relationship information of data items subsequent to the first data item;

determining that none of the relationship information of the data items subsequent to the first data item are to be saved;

creating a new shared plan comprising a start packet, the start packet having no previous data item information but having next data information that indicates the next data item is the first data item; and

moving the first data item and the data items subsequent to the first data item to the new shared plan, the data items subsequent to the first data item being positioned subsequent to the first data item in the new shared plan.

17. A method comprising:

maintaining in a shared memory a shared model comprising at least a first plan for the shared model, the first plan comprising at least a first data item;

forming a second data item for a second shared plan to be added to the shared model below the first shared plan, the second plan being parallel to the first plan or alternative to the first plan, the first plan forming part of the second plan up to and including the first data item, the second data item being a starting data item of the second plan, the second plan configured to include a third data item to be added to the second shared plan and in a sequential order to the second data item, wherein the second data item is in a relationship with both the first data item and the third data item, and wherein the first plan or second plan is capable of being selected to be deleted upon storing of the shared model when the second plan is alternative to the first plan, and wherein each of the first data item and the second data item contains relationship information comprising an identifier, previous data item information, next data item information, and higher level relationship information;

associating the second data item with higher level relationship information by identifying the first data item in the first shared plan and with information indicating whether the second plan is parallel or alternative;

storing the second data item in the shared memory;

detecting that the second data item is unwanted;

obtaining the relationship information of the second data item and relationship information of the third data item;

determining that the third data item is not to be saved;

creating a new shared plan comprising a start packet, the start packet having no previous data item information but having next data information that indicates the next data item is the second data item; and

moving the second data item and the third data item to the new shared plan, the third data item being positioned subsequent to the second data item in the new shared plan.

18. A method as claimed in claim 17, further comprising:

forming the third data item to be added to the second shared plan;

associating the third data item with information identifying the second data item as a previous data item in the second shared plan;

storing the third data item in the shared model; and

associating the second data item with information identifying the third data item as a data item that is subsequent to the second data item such that the second data item and the third data item are in the second shared plan and in a sequential order.

19. A method as claimed in claim 17, wherein the shared model is for building information modelling in a multiuser environment.

20. A method as claimed in claim 19, wherein the shared model comprises a hierarchical plan structure that comprises

a highest plan comprising one or more data items, each of the data items indicating that it does not have a relationship to a data item in a plan that is at a higher level;

and

one or more other plans, each other plan comprising one or more data items, at least one of the data items having a relationship to a data item in the highest plan or in a higher level plan between the other plan and the highest plan in the hierarchical plan structure, the hierarchical plan structure being formed by means of the relationships of the data items.

21. An apparatus comprising

at least one processor;

and

at least one memory including computer program code;

the at least one memory and the computer program code being configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to;

maintain, in a shared model a shared data accessible by a user via a user apparatus, the shared data comprising a plurality of shared plans where each shared plan comprises one or more data items in a sequential order, the plurality of shared plans comprising a master plan and at least one parallel plan and a plurality of alternative plans, wherein at least one of the plurality of alternative plans are capable of being selected to be deleted upon storing of the shared model; and

wherein each data item contains relationship information comprising an identifier, previous data item information, next data item information, and higher level relationship information;

associate a first data item stored in a shared plan selected from the group consisting of the master plan, the at least one parallel plan, and the plurality of alternative plans with relationship information indicating whether or not the first data item has a previous data item in the shared plan, whether or not the first data item is associated with a next data item in the shared plan, and whether or not the first data item has a relationship to a second data item in a higher level plan, information representing an existing relationship indicating that the first data item is a starting data item for the shared plan, and information representing a missing relationship indicating that the first data item is one of the one or more data items for the shared plan, wherein the plurality of data items further includes a third data item that is in a relationship with both the second data item in the higher level plan and another data item in the plurality of data items;

detect that the first data item is unwanted;

obtain the relationship information of the first data item and relationship information of data items subsequent to the first data item;

determine that none of the data items subsequent to the first data item are to be saved;

create a new shared plan comprising a start packet, the start packet having no previous data item information but having next data information that indicates the next data item is the first data item; and

move the first data item and the data items subsequent to the first data item to the new shared plan, the data items subsequent to the first data item being positioned subsequent to the first data item in the new shared plan.

22. An apparatus comprising

at least one interface configured to provide access to a shared memory;

at least one processor; and

at least one memory including computer program code;

the at least one memory and the computer program code being configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to

load from the shared memory comprising a shared model comprising at least a first plan for the shared model, the first plan comprising at least a first data item at least information on the first data item;

form a second data item for a second shared plan to be added to the shared model below the first shared plan, the second plan being parallel to the first plan or alternative to the first plan, the first plan forming part of the second plan up to and including the first data item, the second data item being a starting data item of the second plan, the second plan configured to include a third data item to be added to the second shared plan and in a sequential order to the second data item, wherein the second data item is in a relationship with both the first data item and the third data item, and wherein the first plan or second plan is capable of being selected to be deleted upon storing of the shared model when the second plan is alternative to the first plan, and wherein each of the first data item and the second data item contains relationship information comprising an identifier, previous data item information, next data item information, and higher level relationship information;

associate the second data item with higher level relation information by identifying the first data item in the first shared plan and with information indicating whether the second plan is parallel or alternative;

store the second data item in the shared memory;

detect that the second data item is unwanted;

obtain the relationship information of the second data item and relationship information of the third data item;

determine that the third data item is not to be saved;

create a new shared plan comprising a start packet, the start packet having no previous data item information but having next data information that indicates the next data item is the second data item; and

move the second data item and the third data item to the new shared plan, the third data item being positioned subsequent to the second data item in the new shared plan.

23. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having computer-readable instructions executable by a computer such that, when executing said instructions, said computer will:

maintain, in a shared model a shared data accessible by a user via a user apparatus, the shared data comprising a plurality of shared plans where each shared plan comprises one or more data items in a sequential order, the plurality of shared plans comprising a master plan and at least one parallel plan and a plurality of alternative plans, wherein at least one of the plurality of alternative plans are capable of being selected to be deleted upon storing of the shared model; and

wherein each data item contains relationship information comprising an identifier, previous data item information, next data item information, and higher level relationship information;

associate a first data item stored in a shared plan selected from the group consisting of the master plan, the at least one parallel plan, and the plurality of alternative plans with relationship information indicating;

whether or not the first data item has a previous data item in the shared plan,

whether or not the first data item is associated with a next data item in the first shared plan, and

whether or not the first data item has a relationship to a second data item in a higher level plan, information representing an existing relationship indicating that the first data item is a starting data item for the first shared plan, and information representing a missing relationship indicating that the first data item is one of the one or more data items for the first shared plan, wherein the plurality of data items in the sequential order further includes a third data item that is in a relationship with the second data item in the higher level plan;

detecting that the first data item is unwanted;

obtaining the relationship information of the first data item and relationship information of data items subsequent to the first data item;

determining that none of the data items subsequent to the first data item are to be saved;

creating a new shared plan comprising a start packet, the start packet having no previous data item information but having next data information that indicates the next data item is the first data item; and

moving the first data item and the data items subsequent to the first data item to the new shared plan, the data items subsequent to the first data item being positioned subsequent to the first data item in the new shared plan.

24. A system comprising at least

one or more first computing apparatuses, each comprising a data storage for storing a shared model comprising a hierarchical plan structure that comprises a highest plan comprising one or more data items, each of the data items in the highest plan indicating that it does not have a relationship to a data item in a higher level plan, the highest plan forming the final plan for the model, and one or more other shared plans, each other plan comprising one or more data items, at least one of the data items in a shared plan having a relationship to a data item in the highest plan or in a higher level plan between the other plan and the highest plan in the hierarchical plan structure, the hierarchical plan structure being formed by means of the relationships of the data items, each of the one or more other plans being a parallel plan intended to be saved in the highest plan or in the higher level plan when it is ready for storing, or alternative plans such that, one of the alternative plans is selected to be saved in the highest plan or in the higher level plan, and other alternative plans that are not selected to be saved are capable of being selected to be deleted when the shared model is stored, wherein each data item contains relationship information comprising an identifier, previous data item information, next data item information, and higher level relationship information;

one or more second computing apparatuses, a second apparatus being configured to have access to the data storage and configured to form a first data item to be added to one of the one or more shared plans, associate the first data item stored in a shared plan selected from the group consisting of the master plan, the at least one parallel plan, and the plurality of alternative plans with information identifying a previous data item in the shared plan, store the first data item in the shared model, and associate the previous data item with information identifying the first data item as a next data item, such that the first data item and the previous data item are in a sequential order in the shared plan, wherein at least one data item in the shared plan is in a relationship with both a data item in the higher level plan and another data item in the shared plan;

detecting that the first data item is unwanted;

obtaining relationship information of the first data item and relationship information of data items subsequent to the first data item;

determining that none of the data items subsequent to the first data item are to be saved;

creating a new shared plan comprising a start packet, the start packet having no previous data item information but having next data information that indicates the next data item is the first data item; and

moving the first data item and the data items subsequent to the first data item to the new shared plan, the data items subsequent to the first data item being positioned subsequent to the first data item in the new shared plan.