Computer implemented method for simultaneous multi-user editing of a document
First Claim
1. A computer-implemented method for simultaneous, multi-user editing of a document stored in a memory shared by a plurality of users, comprising the steps of:
- a. creating a multi-user control file in the shared memory that is associated with a master copy of the document when a first user of the plurality of users accesses the document in the shared memory from a local computer;
b. assigning the master copy of the document a master copy version identifier number when the first user of the plurality of users accesses the document in the shared memory;
c. creating a local copy of the document for editing by each user on each user'"'"'s local computer, which first local copy duplicates the master copy, when each user of the plurality of users accesses the document in the shared memory;
d. assigning each local copy of the document a unique user version identifier number when each user of the plurality of users accesses the document in the shared memory;
e. initiating a save operation by one user of the plurality of users;
f. when the one user of the plurality of users saves any edits made to the document, comparing the user version identifier number for that one user to the master copy version identifier number; and
g. based on that comparison, reconciling the master copy and the one user'"'"'s local copy of the document by determining whether any conflicts exist between the master copy and the one user'"'"'s local copy, presenting those conflicts to the one user, and resolving those conflicts based on input from the user.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Word processing program module having a multi-user editing capability provided for by the utilization of a multi-user control file (MCF) that is created when a document is first accessed. The MCF is comprised of individual record files for the master copy of the document, and each user and includes an assigned name, a date/time number, and a version identifier number. The MCF facilitates the tracking of the version identifier numbers to control the timing and sequence of events when a user opens, saves, and/or closes a document. The MCF also facilitates the control of the reconciliation of documents that may be required when a user attempts to save as well as facilitates the performing of the necessary timing functions when conflict resolving is required before edits are saved. The MCF further facilitates the capability to automatically recover the multi-user editing environment from a system failure as well as to manually remove a user from the multi-user editing environment.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. A computer-implemented method for simultaneous, multi-user editing of a document stored in a memory shared by a plurality of users, comprising the steps of:
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a. creating a multi-user control file in the shared memory that is associated with a master copy of the document when a first user of the plurality of users accesses the document in the shared memory from a local computer; b. assigning the master copy of the document a master copy version identifier number when the first user of the plurality of users accesses the document in the shared memory; c. creating a local copy of the document for editing by each user on each user'"'"'s local computer, which first local copy duplicates the master copy, when each user of the plurality of users accesses the document in the shared memory; d. assigning each local copy of the document a unique user version identifier number when each user of the plurality of users accesses the document in the shared memory; e. initiating a save operation by one user of the plurality of users; f. when the one user of the plurality of users saves any edits made to the document, comparing the user version identifier number for that one user to the master copy version identifier number; and g. based on that comparison, reconciling the master copy and the one user'"'"'s local copy of the document by determining whether any conflicts exist between the master copy and the one user'"'"'s local copy, presenting those conflicts to the one user, and resolving those conflicts based on input from the user. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A computer-readable medium on which is stored a computer program for simultaneous, multi-user editing of a document stored in a memory shared by a plurality of users, the computer program comprising instructions which, when executed by a computer, perform the steps of:
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a. creating a multi-user control file in the shared memory that is associated with a master copy of the document when a first user of the plurality of users accesses the document in the shared memory from a local computer; b. assigning the master copy of the document a master copy version identifier number when the first user of the plurality of users accesses the document in the shared memory; c. creating a local copy of the document for editing by each user on each user'"'"'s local computer, which first local copy duplicates the master copy, when each user of the plurality of users accesses the document in the shared memory; d. assigning each local copy of the document a unique user version identifier number when each user of the plurality of users accesses the document in the shared memory; e. initiating a save operation by one user of the plurality of users; f. when the one user of the plurality of users saves any edits made to the document, comparing the user version identifier number for that one user to the master copy version identifier number; and g. based on that comparison, reconcling the master copy and the one user'"'"'s local copy of the document by determining whether any conflicts exist between the master copy and the local copy being saved by the one user, presenting those conflicts to the one user, and resolving those conflicts based on input from the one user. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A networked computer system for accessing and editing a master copy of a document stored in a shared memory, the document capable of being accessed and edited by a plurality of users simultaneously, comprising:
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a. a file server having a server processing unit; b. a shared memory storage device coupled to the server processing unit; c. a network bus coupled to the server processing unit; d. at least one local computer having a local processor coupled to the network bus; e. an input device coupled to the local processor; f. a pixel-based display device coupled to the local processor; g. a local memory storage device coupled to the local processor; and h. the local processor being operative to; i. creating a multi-user control file in the shared memory that is associated with a master copy of the document when a first user of the plurality of users accesses the document in the shared memory from a local computer; ii. assigning the master copy of the document a master copy version identifier number when the first user of the plurality of users accesses the document in the shared memory; iii. creating a local copy of the document for editing by the user on the user'"'"'s local computer, which first local copy duplicates the master copy, when the user accesses the document in the shared memory; iv. assigning the local copy of the document a user version identifier number when the user accesses the document in the shared memory; V. initiating a save operation by the user; vi. when the user saves any edits made to the document, comparing the user version identifier number for that user to the master copy version identifier number; and vii. based on that comparison, reconciling the master copy and the user'"'"'s local copy of the document by determining whether any conflicts exist between the master copy and the local copy being saved by the user, presenting any of said conflicts to the one user, and resolving those conflicts based on input from the user. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification