System and method for merging a sub-document into a collaboratively authored master document

Abstract

The “Collaborative Document Merge Tool” or “CDMT” is a computer-implement process and accompanying product for merging a sub-document into a master document, the process comprising: identifying an author of the sub-document; reading metadata that specifies an authorized author of the sub-document; comparing the author to the authorized author, and merging the sub-document into the master document only if the author is identical to the authorized author.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The novel features believed characteristic of the invention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives and advantages thereof, will be understood best by reference to the follow detailed description of an illustrative embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 represents an exemplary computer network.

FIG. 2 describes programs and files in memory on a computer.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart of the Specification Component.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart of the Merge Component.

Claims

1. A computer program product comprising a computer useable medium having a computer readable program, wherein the computer readable prop=a when executed on a computer causes the computer to: identify an author of a sub-document;read metadata from master document, wherein the metadata specifies an authorized author for the sub-document;compare the author to the authorized author, andmerge the sub-document into the master document only if the author is identical to the authorized author.

2. The computer program product of claim 1 wherein the sub-document is a chat transcript

3. The computer program product of claim 1 wherein the sub-document is an email message.

4. The computer program product of claim 1 wherein the metadata comprises extensible markup language elements.

5. A computer-implemented process for merging a sub-document into a master document, the process comprising: identifying an author of the sub-document;reading metadata that specifies an authorized author of the sub-document,comparing the author to the authorized author, andmerging the sub-document into the master document only if the author is identical to the authorized author.

6. The computer-implemented process of claim 7 wherein the sub-document is a chat transcript.

7. The computer-implemented process of claim 7 wherein the sub-document is an email message.

8. The Computer-implemented process of claim 7 wherein the metadata comprises extensible markup language elements.

9. A computer comprising: a processor,a memory coupled to the processor, anda computer program in the memory operable to cause the processor to identify an author of a sub-document,read metadata from a master document, wherein the metadata specifies an authorized author for the sub-document,compare the author to the authorized author, andmerge the sub-document into the master document only if the author is identical to the authorized author.

10. The computer of claim 9 wherein the sub-document is a chat transcript.

11. The computer of claim 9 wherein the sub-document is an email message.

12. The computer of claim 9 wherein the metadata comprises extensible markup language elements.