Aggregate Document with Graphical Indicators for Multi-Document Merging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current document comparison and merging techniques are inadequate for efficiently handling multiple documents with varying content, particularly in group editing environments where tracking changes and selecting differences across documents is cumbersome.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that determine content element locations with differing content across multiple documents, generate an aggregate document with graphical indicators for user selection, and render information for each document providing different content, allowing users to efficiently view and accept changes from various authors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional document comparison methods are used to compare multiple documents, then the comparison can be performed, but the process becomes cumbersome and inefficient when handling multiple documents with varying content
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the document comparison process by identifying and marking specific content element locations that differ across documents. Instead of comparing entire documents at once, the system divides the comparison into discrete content elements (words, phrases, or sections) that can be independently analyzed and tracked, making multi-document comparison more manageable and efficient
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a visual dimension to document comparison by rendering graphical indicators directly at content element locations within the aggregate document. This transforms the comparison from a textual analysis task into a visual inspection task, where users can quickly identify differences through graphical markers rather than manually reviewing text changes across multiple documents
2Ease of operation
If users manually review and select differences across multiple documents, then content can be merged, but the process is time-consuming and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by automatically generating the aggregate document structure and pre-identifying all content element locations that differ across the input documents. Graphical indicators are rendered in advance at these locations, so when users need to select content, the work of identification has already been done, and they only need to make selection decisions rather than perform analysis
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary aggregate document that serves as a mediator between the multiple source documents and the final merged result. This aggregate document consolidates all differing content elements with graphical indicators, acting as an intermediate representation that simplifies the selection process by presenting all options in one place rather than requiring users to switch between multiple documents
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are a method, system, and article of manufacture for comparing and merging multiple merge documents, wherein each merge document includes content element locations having user content or empty. A determination is made in the determined merge documents of content element locations in at least two of the merge documents having a same content and content element locations in at least two of the determined merge documents having different content. An aggregate document is generated including content element locations corresponding to the content element locations in the determined merge documents. A content graphical indicator is rendered with content element locations in the aggregate document for which at least two of the determined merge documents provide different content, and information is rendered in response to user selection for the content in the plurality of the merge documents provided for the selected content element location.