Method and system for linking data across multiple files
First Claim
1. A method linking data across an AEC project where the data is arranged in a plurality of files, comprising:
- defining a link source located in a first of the plurality of files;
defining a link target located in a second of the plurality of files; and
establishing a bidirectional link between the link source and the link target.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method of maintaining a bidirectional link between data in a file checked-out from a content management system to a user computer and data in at least one file maintained at the content management system is provided. In the method, a first file is scanned at least when it is one of checked in and checked out of the document management system to locate a link in the file. Information is gathered from the first file regarding a source and target of the link. It is determined if an element in the file is the source or the target. The information is the stored in a database. The information in the database is automatically updated when a second file is corresponding to the other end of the link is checked in to the document management system to reflect changes made to the end of the link in the second file. The changes are applied to the information in the first file.
18 Citations
42 Claims
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1. A method linking data across an AEC project where the data is arranged in a plurality of files, comprising:
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defining a link source located in a first of the plurality of files;
defining a link target located in a second of the plurality of files; and
establishing a bidirectional link between the link source and the link target. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. In an AEC project including a plurality of design file comprised of models, with each model being comprised of a number of elements, the elements being organized into drawings that are arranged on a number of sheets, a method for establishing and maintaining bidirectional links between data in the plurality of files, the method comprising:
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receiving an identification of a link source;
receiving an identification of a link target;
adding a dependency linkage to the link source, wherein the dependency linkage references a link description sufficient to locate the link target; and
indexing the link source, link target and link description is a database. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. A method of maintaining a bidirectional link between data in a file checked-out from a content management system to a user computer and data in at least one file maintained at the content management system, comprising:
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scanning a first file at least when it is one of checked in and checked out of the document management system to locate a link indicator in the file;
gathering information from the first file regarding a source and target of the link;
determining if an element identified by the link indicator is the source or the target;
storing the information in a database;
automatically updating the information in the database when a second file is corresponding to the other end of the link is checked in to the document management system to reflect changes made to the end of the link in the second file; and
applying the changes to the information in the first file. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
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35. A system for linking data, comprising:
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a database storing a plurality of files that are part of a project, the files being comprised of a plurality of elements;
a content management system controlling access of users to the files and assigning a unique document ID to each document in the project;
means for establishing a bidirectional link between a first element in a first of the plurality of files and a second element in a second of the plurality of files; and
means for updating the link, the first element and the second element to reflect changes made to the first or second element. - View Dependent Claims (36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42)
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Specification