Granular Annotation Comparison System Using Embedded Markers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional document comparison programs fail to preserve the context of changes in annotations between original and modified documents, often ignoring annotation text or mixing it with the main document text, making it difficult to discern granular changes.

Innovation Solution

A computer-based system and method for comparing annotations at a granular level by determining annotation ranges and creating an annotation comparison output, which allows users to easily identify changes in annotations within files, preserving context by correlating and displaying changes in annotations alongside the main document body.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If annotation text is stored separately from the main document, then document structure is preserved, but annotation changes cannot be compared at a granular level

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedocument structureVSAvoidannotation change detection

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces annotation markers as intermediary elements that are embedded within the main document text at the precise locations where annotations are attached. These markers serve as bridges between the separate annotation storage and the main document structure, enabling the comparison system to locate and compare annotation changes at the exact granular level where they occur in the document flow.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the annotation comparison process by identifying specific annotation ranges within the document text. Each annotation is associated with a defined range of text it references, allowing the comparison to focus on specific segments rather than treating annotations as monolithic blocks. This segmentation enables granular detection of changes within annotation text while preserving the overall document structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Measurement precision

If annotation text is inserted into the main document body, then granular comparison becomes possible, but document readability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveannotation change detectionVSAvoiddocument readability

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Annotation markers act as intermediaries that enable granular comparison without permanently altering the document's readable form. The markers are embedded in the text to provide precise location information for comparison purposes, but they are designed to be distinguishable from the main content, allowing the comparison function to operate precisely while the document remains readable for normal viewing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts how annotation text is presented based on the operation being performed. During comparison operations, annotation text is accessed and compared at its precise locations within the document structure. During normal viewing, the annotation text remains separate and does not interfere with the main document readability, achieving context-dependent behavior that satisfies both requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Device complexity

If conventional document comparison is used, then processing simplicity is maintained, but annotation context is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomparison processVSAvoidannotation context

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary actions by embedding annotation markers in the document text before the comparison process begins. These markers pre-establish the locations and ranges of annotations within the document structure, so that when comparison is performed, the system can immediately locate and compare annotation text at the correct positions without losing contextual information about where annotations are attached.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Annotation markers serve as intermediaries that carry contextual information between the separate annotation storage and the main document. These markers enable the comparison system to retrieve annotation text and associate it with the correct locations in the document, preserving the contextual relationship between annotations and the text they reference even though annotations are stored separately.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS11275714B2Systems and methods for the comparison of annotations within files

Publication Date: 2022.03.15 FREEDOM SOLUTIONS GROUP LLC

AI summary

Systems and methods are disclosed for comparing annotations in files to show changes in the annotations at a granular level. In one implementation, a system receives a first file and a second file for comparison. The system determines the annotation ranges for each annotation in the first file and the annotation range for each annotation in the second file. The system then determines the annotations from the first file that overlap with annotations from the second file and compares annotations that overlap. The system then incorporates the comparison of the annotations into a main comparison file. In certain implementations, the system uses an index to determine what annotations overlap. In other implementations, matched pairs are created from overlapping annotations.