Automated Hyperlink Generation for Document Cross-Referencing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current document management systems face challenges in automatically generating links between documents without user intervention, particularly in complex projects where extensive cross-references are needed, leading to time-consuming manual procedures and limitations in simultaneous access and file organization.

Innovation Solution

A method for automatically generating hyperlinks in electronic documents by scanning for matching text strings and correlating them with corresponding destinations, allowing for batch processing without user intervention, using a document management software application that selects files, generates search terms, and appends activatable hyperlinks to the documents.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual procedures are used to create cross-references between documents, then link accuracy can be ensured, but time consumption increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelink accuracyVSAvoidtime consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-service by automatically scanning document text, extracting reference terms, identifying target documents, and creating hyperlinks without requiring user intervention. The computer executes the hyperlinking process autonomously based on text matching between source and target documents, eliminating manual link creation while maintaining accuracy through systematic text comparison.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical manual process of creating cross-references with an automated computer-based system. The computer scans document text, processes reference terms, matches them with target documents, and generates hyperlinks programmatically, substituting human manual operations with automated mechanical processing that is both faster and equally accurate.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If documents are stored as a single large file, then file organization is simplified, but access and manipulation performance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefile organizationVSAvoidaccess performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides a large document into multiple separate document files based on logical sections or topics. Each segment becomes an independent file that can be accessed and manipulated separately, improving performance while maintaining organization through the automated cross-reference system that links related segments together via hyperlinks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a new organizational dimension by creating a network of interconnected document files rather than a single hierarchical structure. Hyperlinks provide navigational paths between segmented documents, allowing users to access specific sections directly without loading entire large files, thus improving access speed while maintaining logical organization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Reliability

If conventional file systems are used, then file locking prevents conflicts, but simultaneous access by multiple users is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconflict preventionVSAvoidsimultaneous access
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments a large document into multiple independent document files, allowing different users to simultaneously access and work on different segments without file locking conflicts. Each segmented file can be independently opened and edited by multiple users, enabling concurrent collaboration while maintaining data integrity through the hyperlink connection system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS11361035B2Batch generation of links to documents based on document name and page content matching
Publication Date: 2022.06.14 BLUEBEAM INC
  • US11361035B2 patent drawing
  • US11361035B2 patent drawing
  • US11361035B2 patent drawing

AI summary

Batch generating of links to documents in which named content is automatically discovered within documents is disclosed. A selection of a plurality of documents is received from a user. Then, a list of search terms each correlated to a hyperlink destination is generated from the received selection of the electronic documents. Each of the plurality of electronic documents is scanned for text strings that match search terms stored in a list. Without user intervention, activatable hyperlinks from the matched text strings in the plurality of electronic documents are generated. Activatable hyperlinks to the respective matched text strings in each of the plurality of electronic documents are appended.