FIELP OF INVENTION
The present invention relates, in general, to an online platform independent collaborative application. The invention particularly relates to simultaneous usage by more users to simultaneously work on the same document, while each of them can see all the changes made in real time.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Historically the users have always struggled to bring partners "up to speed and on the same page for expected quality and preferred style of work". This is true for businesses across industries and the situation becomes particularly acute in business of a creative nature and where constant client interaction and feedbacks are a must for superior delivery and in the absence of a collaborative platform the user/partner relationship becomes an iterative process which is

often frustrating and counter productive. Agencies and partners keeping iterating on files and sending them to the user hoping that with each version the user will accept the incremental addition to the output. Unfortunately with the new speed to market paradigms this approach is simply futile. It clogs up bandwidth, frustrates progress and limits scalability. The other big frustrating problem for user is that they are always chasing on status on jobs and at what stage is their job at and when can they expect it. This is too frustrating for the users.
US patent 7,299,405 relates to a method and system for managing information during a meeting includes recording the activities of the participants in a meeting during the meeting. The actual need is for allowing more users to
simultaneously work on the same documents without recording any activities of the participants,
US patent 7,260,278 relates to a system and process that relieves meeting participants from the mundane tasks of note taking by capturing whiteboard content automatically and communicating the whiteboard content to remote meeting participants in real time using a fraction of the bandwidth required if video conferencing equipment were used. An ordinary whiteboard, and not an electronic whiteboard is used with hardware video conferencing equipment.

US patent 7,206,809 relates to computer hardware, software and communications technologies are combined in novel ways to produce a multimedia collaboration system that greatly facilitates distributed collaboration, in part by replicating the benefits of face-to-face collaboration. The system tightly integrates a carefully selected set of multimedia and collaborative capabilities, principal among which are desktop teleconferencing and multimedia mail. The invention involves hardware technologies, desktop teleconferencing and multimedia mail. The present invention deals with online whiteboard not desktop teleconferencing.
US patent 7,184,524 relates to a system with real-time activity or action, the real-time activities or actions like meetings between users, and may additionally or alternatively include chat sessions, shared whiteboards, remote presentations, audio conferences, video conferences, and/or any combination of these or other forms of communication between users. The document deals with conferencing and no online whiteboard is used which helps in file sharing and that too in native formats which makes it easy for user to share his ideas and later use it, as in the present invention.

US patent 7,299,257 talks about a system Connectlcon View which is a dynamic visual representation of the participants of a group being invited to communicate together with their presence information, lists of documents and URLs (Uniform Resource Locators) to be examined, and a set of mechanisms (email, chat, voice, and the like) to initiate communication, each of which can be billed to the originator or otherwise as desired. The available presence information allows a user to employ the best mode of communicating for the instant purpose, namely, either asynchronous communication or synchronous communication. The document deals with a dynamic visual representation of the participants of a group being invited to communicate together with their presence information, lists of documents and URLs (Uniform Resource Locators) while the present invention does not use proprietary Connectlcon View technology and deals with native file formats allowing more users to simultaneously work on the same documents.
US patent 7,209,948 discloses a collaborative review tool that provides for the review of artefacts created using any application without the awareness of that application. This tool provides for distributed reviewers to participate in the

review, allowing for marking text and making comments, that overlay the document without marking the original document. The tool allows for collaborative reviews, whiteboard review tools, Computer Supported Collaborative Work (CSCW), plugins for adding comments / notes to documents. The document does not provide the facility to secure separation of access to public and nonpublic information and also allows text base and video based information sharing, as in the present invention.
US Patent No: 7,249,314 relates to a system and methods for simultaneous editing of a document by two or more distinct users. The system will typically include one or more workspace servers and a number of client computers. Users access the system by using client software (or "clients") which execute on the client computers. One user has a section of a document locked, another user may have other sections of the same document locked. Each of the users may simultaneously edit his or her respective locked sections of the document.

According to this document each user can simultaneously edit his or her
respective locked sections of the document while the present invention allows more users to simultaneously work on the same documents.
Online Collaborative Whiteboard deals with online collaboration services market.Skrbl.com is a free, online, whiteboard application that runs completely in the web browser and allows others to view and/or collaborate on the whiteboard in real time.
The article" Imagination Cubed online white board" talks about the multi-user online whiteboards invite up to 2 other people to simultaneously use the white board.
The present invention provides for synchronous methods to be used. While the article only talks about mutli user online free system.
The article "A Simple 2 User Whiteboard application in C#/.NET "talks about an extremely simple whiteboard application to be used simultaneously by two users, which allows scribbling using pencil tool, drawing rectangles and ellipses.

The present invention is based on Flex Technology. While the Simple 2 User Whiteboard application in C#/,NET only uses scribbling tools and no use of synchronous methods.
Thus to overcome the problems the present invention provides an online collaborative application which is an application to share marketing communications assets, interactive content (documents, images, presentations) amongst other reviewers online on same application server in real time. It supports session handling, workflow assignments for reviewers, video chats and objects like pencils, rectangle, circle.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
The principal object of the present invention is to provide an online collaborative
application.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an application which demonstrates partners what are the expected levels of performance.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an application which is vital to the creative industries as a singular extra brush stroke could make the difference in an acceptable file and a rejected one.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide an application which is useful to users in different geographies having different preference of creative, colour, file construction, technology.
One more object of the present invention is to provide an application which tracks jobs hassle free.
Yet one more object of the present invention is to provide an application which tracks jobs in real time.
A further another object of the present invention is to provide an application which is extremely useful for remote communication in project handover and review phases.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide an application which can be used by users such as Marcom ( marketing communications) users as a forum to interact on their visual creations, ideas, concept and collaborate. This even extends to Audio and video creations.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:
Accordingly the present invention relates to an online collaborative application which is platform independent, accessible through web browser with the aid of Adobe Flash Player to be installed. It allows more users to simultaneously work on the same document, while each of them can see all the changes made in real time. Users communicate during the session using the in-built audio/ video / text chat. The whole session and each change are saved and are easily accessible through web interface for review.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the online collaborative application collaborates in real time.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the online collaborative application is characterized by audio, video, text chat, it saves session, it loads session, exports to PDF format, invites participants, has whiteboard tools.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the online collaborative application wherein the whiteboard tools comprises of pencil, basic shapes, text boxes, notes, draw table, import image, import excel data, image manipulation, multiple pages editing, resize, rotate, delete and move elements copy, cut, paste.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the online collaborative application is useful for the group comprising authors, journalists, public relation, editors, and publishers, bioggers or freelance / independent writers, letter writers, songwriters, poets, comedians, students, professors, and groups collaborating on a paper.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the online collaborative application can be integrated into any website and used.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the online collaborative application allows user to develop users own pluggin and tools.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the online collaborative application allows creation of customized application and sharing.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the online collaborative application the users can write comments on the office files and can send the files for review to others which configures rules based collaborative workflow.
In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the online collaborative application has the facility of creation of new or editing of existing information in a controlled generation and publishing process of the same information.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the online collaborative application application allows delivery and administration of information for the web presentation.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the online collaborative application allows automatic conversion for various display formats, personalized display and versions.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the online collaborative application allows the users to decide the secure separation of access to public and nonpublic information.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the online collaborative application has tools for visualization for internet presentation (browser, HTML, XML etc.)
Thus, the present invention provides an online platform independent collaborative application for users to simultaneously work on same document while viewing the changes made in real time, said application comprising: inbuilt audio/video/text chat for users to communicate during session; whiteboard tools for making the changes; and a storage unit for saving the whole session and each change, which are accessible through web interface for review.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
The invention can now be described with the help of the accompanying drawings.
It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of this invention and are therefore not to be considered as limiting the scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments.
Figure 1 shows an architectural overview of the application enhanced with an interaction management system.
Figure 2 shows the application flow process for the system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The present invention relates to online collaborative application which is an application to share marketing communications assets, interactive content (documents, images, presentations) amongst other reviewers online on same application server. It supports session handling, workflow assignments for reviewers, video chats, objects like Pencils, rectangle, circle. It's an online

whiteboard, where users on internet, LAN, WAN can collaborate their thoughts via interactive medium and objects supported by the application. The system provides the users a way to communicate or share their thoughts to their peers. Users can logon to the system, share files; express their thoughts using objects like pencils, markers. Users can write comments on the office files and can send the files for review to others which configures rules based collaborative workflow.
Modes of collaborative sessions include chats, audio video, group initiation, sharing files. At the back end the system has an online server which manages the users logged, chat sessions.
The application largely works on the below user actions:
• Creation of new or editing of existing information in a controlled generation and publishing process of the same information
• Delivery and administration of information for the web presentation
• Automatic conversion for various display formats, personalized display and versions
• Secure separation of access to public and nonpublic information :Whoever creates the content can decide it's the content is open to all for read only, write

or overwrite permissions or can chose to be only for private viewing.
• Visualization for Internet presentation (browser, HTML, XML etc.)
The application is a perfect blend of established cutting edge and new technologies in the market. It uses Adobe Flex with the combination of Microsoft Net Framework. The UI has been crafted in Adobe flex and the technologies binding them is .Net 3.0.
The application puts together n number of people to leverage the collaboration efforts and ideas.
The application comprises of modules such as content management repository, database. Content Management is a module which is the backend of the application, some of the important functionalities are:
• Import and creation of documents and multimedia material
• Identification of all key users and their roles
• The ability to assign roles and responsibilities to different instances of content categories or types.
• Definition of workflow tasks often coupled with messaging so that content
managers are alerted to changes in content.

• The ability to track and manage multiple versions of a single instance of content.
• The ability to publish the content to a repository to support access to the content.
The repository is an inherent part of the system, and incorporates enterprise search and retrieval.
Content management is not visible to the user. But it has extensible API framework which could be plugged in to any database and any other content management system for content sharing. The files supported by the system are: Jpeg, PDF, GIF, MS office documents (Excel, word, and ppt). SWF, AVI, MP4, 3GP, FLV, Png, Tiff, BMP,
Database: The application uses MySQL an open source database. It is a multithreaded, multi user SQL database management system.
Workflow and Collaboration Engine: the application has a Service Oriented Architecture (SOA) workflow engine which guides how users can share data and

logic in a loosely coupled architecture. The Workflow and collaboration engine is tightly coupled with other Content Management, Database of online collaborative application and uses web services to align collaboration.
The Figure 1 is an architectural overview of the application enhanced with an interaction management system. The architecture supports various Rich and Web user interfaces that control the whole service interface of system's activity, business rules, and Human workflow through its service agents and data access layers. The service agents include E-Publishing, Enterprise Application Interface and Enterprise content Management. Data Access Layers include online transaction processing and Data Warehousing. The application has a secured signing, authentication and authorization process with easy configuration on the web. The system is having a robust exception management, log & trace and monitoring control within its service oriented architecture.
The architecture diagram has a Front end UI. The application is a Rich Internet Application (RIA), built on Adobe Flex and Action script 3 technologies. It uses Data -servers like Blaze DS which are based on J2EE technology stack.

The application UI has an
• an extensive component library of builtin controls and services that increase speed of user actions and interaction with other objects
• has objects for text and multimedia content (video, audio, streaming).
• Has an easy dialog for styles and themes to define the visual design.
• The UI could be customized according to the user needs and can be easily redesigned or enhanced Browser support: IE 6, IE 7, Mozilla Firefox 1.5, 2.0+, Safari 1.3. Data Access Layer (DAL) a layer which provides simplified access to data stored in persistent storage, of entity-relational database. This data access layer is used in turn by other program modules to access and manipulate the data within the data store without having to deal with the complexities inherent in this access.
Enterprise Application Interface (EAI) a module on the architectural level which decides as to how the system would talk to other applications like Video engines, Audio engines.
Data Warehousing (DW) is the repository of the system where the data is stored. This is where the system analyse the data & content and manages it.

Online Transaction processing (OLTP) this module ties up with business, commercial transactions if need be. For integrating it with existing systems like mobile commerce systems, banking systems, ATM.
After signing in, authentication process is carried out and then authorization takes place. The system also configures, carries out exception management, kept a track of log and monitor accordingly.
The invention will now be described in detail with reference to an example as given below which is provided to illustrate the invention and therefore, should not be construed to limit the scope of the invention.
Figure 2 shows the process of online collaborative application. The figure depicts the application flow for the system. The process commences by having the originator member M login on the internet to start the interactive session with his online and offline counterparts C that has database links attached thereto. The member M works on his concept 1, draws sketches and share data, chat and video chat online in the session. The originator must first decide whether to join session 2, invite I or assign / mark the task to his friends A for the database links

included therein. If the originator does not join, accept or invite the shared access to any of the recipients, this application exits since the originator is not interested in the interactive session or tracing the session/log. The application software of the present invention makes a tool available that contains the choices include, but are not limited to, view, edit, draw, shapes, text and various other functions.
As soon as the user logs in on the internet, a whiteboard with tools and a chat window is displayed. The application has the option of knowing which all friends are online and offline. With friends the user can share data, chats, and video, or the user can work on his concept, draws sketches, files. The user may also invite and assign task. Or the user after logging in can directly join the session 2, do the pending task 3, or accept the new task 4, indicate that the task is understood 5, work on it 6 and mark the task as done 7.
Numerous modifications and adaptations of the system of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and thus it is intended by the appended claims to cover all such modifications and adaptations which fall within the true spirit and scope of this invention.

The invention provides an online collaborative application which is adapted to collaborate in real time. The online collaborative application is characterized by audio, video, text chat. It is adapted for saving and loading of sessions, exporting to PDF format and inviting participants. In the online collaborative application, the whiteboard tools comprise pencil, basic shapes, text boxes, notes, draw table, import image, import excel data, image manipulation, multiple pages editing, resize, rotate, delete and move elements copy, cut, paste. The online collaborative application is useful for the group comprising of authors, journalists, public relation, editors, and publishers, bloggers or freelance/independent writers, letter writers, songwriters, poets, comedians, students, professors, and groups collaborating on a paper. The online collaborative application can be integrated into any website and accessed by the users. It is adapted for users to develop users own pluggin and tools. The online collaborative application can be adapted for creation of customized application and sharing. The online collaborative application wherein the users can write comments on the office files and can send the files for review to others which configures rules based collaborative workflow. The online collaborative application wherein the application is adapted for the creation of

new or editing of existing information in a controlled generation and publishing process of the same information. The online collaborative application wherein the application allows delivery and administration of information for the web presentation, The online collaborative application wherein the application is configured for automatic conversion for various display formats, personalized display and versions. The online collaborative application wherein the application allows the users to decide secure separation of access to public and nonpublic information. The online collaborative application wherein the application is provided with tools for visualization for internet presentation (browser, HTML, XML etc.)

WE CLAIM :
1. An online platform independent collaborative application for users to
simultaneously work on same document while viewing the changes made
in real time, said application comprising :
- inbuilt audio/video/text chat for users to communicate during session;
- whiteboard tools for making the changes; and
- a storage unit for saving the whole session and each change which are accessible through web interface for review.

2. The online collaborative application as claimed in claim-l, wherein said application is accessible through web browser with the aid of Adobe Flash Player installed therein.
3. The online collaborative application as claimed in claim-l, wherein said application is capable of collaborating in real time.
4. The online collaborative application as claimed in claim-l, wherein said application is adapted for saving and loading of sessions, exporting to PDF format and inviting participants.

5. The online collaborative application as claimed in claim-1, wherein said whiteboard tools comprise pencil, basic shapes, text boxes, notes, draw table, import image, import excel data, image manipulation, multiple pages editing, resize, rotate, delete and move elements copy, cut, paste.
6. The online collaborative application as claimed in claim-1, wherein said application is integrated into a website accessable by the users.
7. The online collaborative application as claimed in claim-1, wherein said application is adapted for users to develop their own pluggin and tools.
8. The online collaborative application as claimed in claim-6, wherein said application is adapted for users to create customized application and sharing.
9. The online collaborative application as claimed in claim-1, wherein said application is adapted for creation of new or editing of existing information in a controlled generation and publishing process of the same information.
10. The online collaborative application as claimed in claim-1, wherein said application is configured for automatic conversion for various display formats, personalized display and versions.

11. The online collaborative application as claimed in claim-1, wherein said application is further provided with visualization tools for internet presentation, like browser, HTML, and XML.
12. An online platform independent collaborative application for users to simultaneously work on same document while viewing the changes made in real time substantially as herein described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.