Digital Edition Asset Segmentation for Rapid Offline Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing digital edition systems for newspapers and magazines on electronic devices require complete download before access, are time-consuming, and lack interactivity, making them unsuitable for rapid content access and offline use.

Innovation Solution

A processor-implemented method and system that allows displaying digital editions on electronic devices without complete download, using a compiled file structure with minimal assets stored locally and additional assets downloaded sequentially, enabling immediate access and adaptive downloading based on user input and behavior.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the complete digital edition is downloaded before access, then all content is available for offline reading, but the download time is excessive and user waiting tolerance is violated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontent availabilityVSAvoiddownload time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The digital edition is divided into multiple segments: a first portion containing essential content (text, basic layout) and a second portion containing additional content (high-resolution images, supplementary materials). The system downloads and makes available the first portion immediately, while the second portion is downloaded subsequently, allowing users to access core content without waiting for the complete edition.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary downloading of the essential first portion of the digital edition before the user needs to access it. This preliminary action ensures that critical content is ready for immediate viewing, while less critical content is prepared for later download, thus reducing initial waiting time while maintaining content availability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If the digital edition is downloaded completely in advance, then offline access is enabled, but storage space requirements increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoffline access capabilityVSAvoidstorage space

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The digital edition content is segmented into essential and non-essential portions. Only the essential first portion is downloaded and stored locally for offline access, while the second portion with additional content remains on remote servers. This segmentation enables offline access to core content while minimizing local storage requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system extracts and separates critical content from supplementary content. The essential text and basic layout are extracted for local storage to enable offline reading, while images and additional materials are left on remote servers, reducing the weight of locally stored data while preserving offline access functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Device complexity

If the digital edition is provided in PDF format, then file structure is simple, but interactivity is limited and download size is bulky

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefile structure simplicityVSAvoiduser interactivity

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The digital edition is segmented into structural data (downloaded locally) and content assets (stored remotely). The local file contains organized references to content modules, maintaining simple file structure, while remote servers host interactive content elements. This segmentation enables enhanced interactivity without increasing local file complexity or size.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates a universal access mechanism that works with both simple local file structures and complex remote content. The local application serves multiple functions: managing simple local files, communicating with remote servers, and coordinating content delivery. This multi-functionality enables rich interactivity while maintaining file structure simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Device complexity

If sequential downloading is used, then download process is simple to manage, but total download time increases due to lack of parallel operations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedownload management simplicityVSAvoiddownload speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The download process is segmented into distinct phases: first downloading essential content, then downloading additional content in parallel operations. Each segment has its own download manager, allowing simple management of individual downloads while enabling parallel execution to improve overall download speed and productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS10042822B2Device, method and system for displaying pages of a digital edition by efficient download of assets

Publication Date: 2018.08.07 NUGLIF

AI summary

A processor-implemented method for displaying a digital edition is provided. The digital edition is readable by a dedicated software application running on a data processing device, such as an electronic tablet. The method allows opening the digital edition, such as a daily newspaper, even though the edition is not completely downloaded on the data processing device. The digital edition comprises a compiled file including a structure of the edition, and a list of minimal assets located on a remote storage and required to open the edition. A processing device configured to perform the method is also provided, as well as a backend system to generate the digital edition files.