Document genealogy
AssigneeBentley Systems, Incorporated
InventorsMark D. Smith, John D. Simmons
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A computer-readable medium contains software that, when read by a computer, causes the computer to perform a method for tracing a document. The method includes: on the computer, generating a global unique identifier (GUID) for a master document; embedding the GUID in the master document; making a copy of the master document available for viewing on another computer, wherein the copy of the master document includes the embedded GUID; receiving a version verification request from the other computer about the copy, wherein the version verification request includes the GUID from the copy; and providing a latest version of the master document referenced by the GUID from the copy to the second computer in response to the version verification request.
Claims20
A computer-readable medium containing software that, when read by a computer, causes the computer to perform a method for tracing an electronic document, the method comprising:
- on the computer, electronically generating a global unique identifier (GUID) for an electronic master document;
- electronically embedding the GUID in the electronic master document;
- electronically making an electronic copy of the electronic master document available for viewing on another computer, wherein the electronic copy of the electronic master document includes the embedded GUID;
- electronically receiving a version verification request from the other computer about the electronic copy, wherein the version verification request includes the GUID from the electronic copy;
- and
- electronically providing a latest version of the electronic master document referenced by the GUID from the electronic copy to the second computer in response to the version verification request.
A computer-readable medium containing software that, when read by a computer, causes the computer to perform a method for tracing an electronic document, the method comprising:
- on the computer, electronically generating a global unique identifier (GUID) for an electronic master document;
- electronically generating a fingerprint for the electronic master document;
- electronically embedding the GUID and the fingerprint in the electronic master document;
- electronically making an electronic copy of the electronic master document available for viewing on another computer, wherein the electronic copy of the electronic master document includes the embedded GUID and fingerprint;
- electronically receiving a version verification request from the other computer about the electronic copy, wherein the version verification request includes the GUID and the fingerprint from the electronic copy;
- electronically comparing the fingerprints from the electronic copy and the electronic master document referred to by the GUID from the electronic copy;
- and
- returning a comparison result to the other computer.
A computer-readable medium containing computer readable program code that, when read by a computer, causes the computer to perform a method for tracing an electronic document, the method comprising:
- on the computer, electronically generating a global unique identifier (GUID) for an electronic master document;
- electronically embedding the GUID in the electronic master document;
- electronically making an electronic copy of the electronic master document available for viewing on another computer, wherein the electronic copy of the electronic master document includes the embedded GUID;
- automatically generating a version verification request including the GUID at the other computer;
- electronically receiving the version verification request from the other computer about the electronic copy;
- and
- electronically providing a latest version of the electronic master document referenced by the GUID from the electronic copy to the second computer in response to the version verification request.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.