A system for electronic file collaboration among multiple users is
implemented using command messages transmitted on dedicated network
channels established between conference participants in a peer-to-peer
architecture with total autonomy from a central server. The system
employs owner-in-control methodology to allow direct transmission of
copies of documents among participants by permission, and to prevent
storage of copies of documents used in a conference by participants.
Mark-ups, additions, and other actions occurring on a conference document
can only be saved by the document owner. An advanced viewer engine is
provided for reading, displaying and manipulating electronic data in
texts, tables, vectors and 3D model formats, as well as common raster
images. A proxy module allows data transmitted through IPFW routers or
firewall devices with sufficient authentications and security measures.