Digital Document Page Numbering with Reference and Fractional Indices
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Solution Overview
Problem
The inconsistency between page numbers in printed physical documents and their digital versions due to varying screen sizes, form factors, and resolutions makes it difficult to reference digital documents accurately across different devices.
Innovation Solution
A page numbering system for digital documents that includes embedded reference page numbers and fractional page numbers, allowing for consistent referencing between digital and physical documents by correlating digital page renderings with their corresponding physical page equivalents, even across different display characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If digital documents are rendered on devices with different screen sizes, form factors, and resolutions, then the digital document can be accessed on various devices, but the page numbers become inconsistent with the reference physical document
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the page numbering system into two distinct components: reference page numbers (from the physical document) and fractional page numbers (representing portions of reference pages). This segmentation allows each component to serve its specific function - reference page numbers maintain consistency with the physical document while fractional page numbers adapt to digital rendering variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a new dimension to page numbering by introducing fractional page numbers that represent portions of reference pages. This transforms the traditional one-dimensional page number system into a two-dimensional system where page location is specified by both which reference page and what portion of that page, enabling precise mapping across different device renderings.
2Measurement precision
If page numbers are standardized to match physical documents, then referencing becomes accurate, but the digital document cannot adapt to different screen sizes and resolutions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the page numbering system dynamic by allowing fractional page numbers to change based on the rendering context. The same reference page may be divided into different numbers of fractional pages depending on screen size, resolution, and content layout, enabling the system to adapt to various devices while maintaining reference accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal page numbering system that serves multiple functions simultaneously: it maintains consistency with physical documents for accurate referencing while adapting to different digital rendering contexts. The dual numbering system can represent the same content differently based on device characteristics, making it universally applicable across all devices.
3Measurement precision
If fractional page numbers are introduced to represent portions of reference pages, then precise content alignment is achieved, but the page numbering system becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces fractional page numbers as an intermediary layer between the reference page number system and the actual digital content rendering. This intermediary allows the system to maintain simple reference page numbers for overall navigation while using fractional page numbers only when precise content alignment is needed, reducing the perceived complexity for most use cases.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies fractional page numbers selectively rather than universally. Full reference page numbers are used for general navigation and overview, while fractional page numbers are applied locally only when precise content alignment is required, such as when referencing specific portions of a page. This localized application reduces overall system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A device including a processor and a memory communicatively coupled to the processor is provided. The memory stores instructions causing the processor, after execution of the instructions by the processor, to: display a reference page number with each displayed page of a digital document having reference page numbers, the digital document corresponding to a reference document having page numbers that correspond to the reference page numbers; and display a fractional page number with each displayed page of the digital document, each fractional page number corresponding to a portion of a page of the reference document.


