Patent ID: 7539680
Filing Date: 2009-05-26
Classification: G06F,Y10S

Abstract:
1. A method of controlling access to a database storing a design, comprising the steps of: (A) identifying a first version of said design by creating a first of a plurality of lists in a first identifier, each of said lists designating a respective subset of a plurality of module files that make up a respective version of said design; (B) allocating a plurality of first authorizations to said first identifier, each of said first authorizations comprising (a) a first permission granting one or more first users among a plurality of available users a first access to a respective first one of said module files in said database, wherein said first access includes (i) reading said respective first module file from said database, (ii) checking said respective first module file out of said database and (iii) writing said respective first module file into said database and (b) first information identifying one or more second users among said available users, wherein said first information is indicative of whether said second users have access to said first list; (C) controlling reading of said module files from said database in accordance with said first authorizations; (D) controlling modification of said module files in said database in accordance with said first authorizations; (E) creating evolved design data containing design differences between a previous version and a new version of said respective first module file; (F) adding said evolved design data to said respective first module file; and (G) reassembling said current version of said respective first module file by applying said evolved design data to said previous version of said respective first module file.