Annotation Mapping via Text String Similarity Scoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods fail to accurately map annotations from one document to another, especially when the text content has been modified, leading to erroneous annotations as the position and dimensions of imported annotations no longer indicate the relevant text.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that generate a text string including the annotated range and contextual characters, compare this string to the target document at different positions to determine similarity scores, and select a position for the annotation based on these scores to associate it with the correct range of text, even if the text has been modified.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If annotations are imported using conventional position and dimension methods, then the annotation can be transferred to another document, but the annotation position and dimensions no longer indicate the relevant text when the document text has been modified
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses text strings as an intermediary to bridge the annotation and the target text. Instead of directly mapping annotation positions to document coordinates, the system extracts text strings from the annotated regions, searches for matching text in the target document, and uses the found text position to place the annotation. This intermediary approach allows annotations to remain accurate even when document text is modified between copying and final use.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical coordinate-based annotation system with a text-based matching system. Instead of relying on fixed position and dimension coordinates that break when text changes, the system uses text string comparison and matching to dynamically determine annotation positions, substituting a rigid mechanical approach with a flexible text-processing approach.
2Device complexity
If the annotation is based on position and dimensions only, then the annotation can be created without capturing text, but the annotation cannot reliably indicate the relevant text when text changes occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary text extraction and string generation before the annotation import process. By pre-extracting the text string from the source document's annotated region and storing it with the annotation data, the system prepares the necessary text information in advance. This preliminary action ensures that when the annotation is imported, the text matching can immediately occur without requiring complex real-time text capture mechanisms.
3Productivity
If text modifications are made to the original document after copying, then the document can be improved with corrections, but the imported annotation positions become erroneous
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic annotation positioning system that adapts to text changes. Instead of using fixed static coordinates, the system dynamically searches for matching text strings in the target document and adjusts annotation positions based on the actual text location found. This dynamic approach allows annotations to remain accurate even when documents are edited, as the positioning is determined at import time rather than being fixed at copy time.
Data Source
AI summary
An annotation corresponding to a first range of text of a first document may be received. Based on the annotation, comparisons may be performed between a text string that comprises the first range of text and a group of text of a second document at different positions in the group of text. Based on the comparisons, similarity scores between the text string and the group of text may be determined at the different positions in the group of text. A position for the annotation in the group of text may be selected based on the similarity scores at the different positions. The annotation may be associated with a second range of text in the group of text that corresponds to the position.