Compound Document Comparison via Embedded Object Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional document comparison systems are unable to effectively compare compound documents that contain embedded objects from different applications, as they lack the capability to isolate and compare these objects separately from the primary document.

Innovation Solution

A computer-based system and method that extracts and marks embedded objects in compound documents, compares the primary document type while ignoring embedded objects, and then compares the embedded objects by copying their contents to compatible documents, inserting the comparison results into the output document using location markers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional document comparison systems are used, then single format documents can be compared, but compound documents with embedded objects cannot be effectively compared

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecapability to compare compound documentsVSAvoidaccuracy of comparison

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the compound document into two separate components: the primary document and embedded objects. The comparison process is segmented into two independent comparison operations: one for the primary document and another for each embedded object. This segmentation allows the system to handle compound documents by treating them as composite structures, thereby improving adaptability while maintaining comparison accuracy through specialized handling of each component type.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts embedded objects from the compound document structure and isolates them for separate comparison. By taking out the embedded objects and comparing them independently, the system can accurately identify changes within objects while also tracking their positional changes in the primary document. This extraction approach resolves the contradiction by enabling compound document comparison without sacrificing comparison reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Measurement precision

If embedded objects are included in the primary document comparison, then the comparison process becomes complex, but if they are ignored, then object changes are not detected

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection of object changesVSAvoidcomplexity of comparison process

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The comparison process is segmented into distinct phases: extracting embedded objects, comparing the primary document without objects, comparing each extracted object separately, and then integrating the results. This segmentation reduces complexity by breaking down the complex task of compound document comparison into manageable sub-tasks, while ensuring precise detection of object changes through dedicated object comparison operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Embedded objects are extracted from the compound document and compared in isolation from the primary document. This extraction eliminates the complexity of simultaneously handling both document and object comparisons in a single process, while maintaining measurement precision by applying appropriate comparison algorithms to each component type independently.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Measurement precision

If embedded objects are extracted and compared separately, then accurate comparison is achieved, but the process requires copying objects to compatible documents

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of compound document comparisonVSAvoidease of implementation

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses compatible documents as intermediary structures to hold extracted embedded objects during the comparison process. These intermediary documents serve as temporary containers that allow objects to be compared in their native format while maintaining the ability to integrate comparison results back into the compound document structure. This intermediary approach achieves accurate comparison while providing a systematic method for implementation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

Embedded objects are copied to compatible documents that can properly accommodate and compare the specific object types. This copying process enables accurate comparison by placing objects in an appropriate environment, while the systematic copying methodology actually simplifies implementation by providing a clear, repeatable process for handling different object types.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentUS8527864B2Method of compound document comparison

Publication Date: 2013.09.03 FREEDOM SOLUTIONS GROUP LLC

AI summary

A method and system for comparing compound documents. An original compound document and a modified compound document are analyzed to determine and mark the location of embedded objects. A comparison is performed between an original primary document and the modified primary document, ignoring the embedded objects, the output of which is a comparison output document. The embedded objects are compared by copying the contents of the embedded objects to compatible documents, comparing the embedded object from the original compound document and the embedded object from the modified compound document, the output of which is inserted into the comparison output document using the location markers of the embedded objects.