Multi-Component Direct Mail Package Editor with Hierarchical Sub-Components
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing direct mail editing systems lack the capability to efficiently manage and edit multi-component direct mail packages, particularly in creating and managing graphical representations of sub-components within a package.
Innovation Solution
A direct-mail component editor system that includes a processor and memory with instructions to receive a package indication, identify components and sub-components, generate a graphical user interface (GUI) with editable canvases for sub-components, convert user edits from one data format to another, and store the edits in a memory location.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a WYSIWYG system is used to display direct mail components, then the visual representation accuracy is improved, but the system cannot efficiently manage and edit multi-component packages with sub-components
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the direct mail package into hierarchical components and sub-components, allowing each to be individually identified, displayed, and edited within the WYSIWYG interface. The data-object structure divides the package into manageable units that can be selectively manipulated while maintaining overall visual coherence.
Solution Approach 2:
The system adds a hierarchical dimension to the traditional WYSIWYG interface by introducing nested components and sub-components. This allows the editor to manage complex multi-component packages while maintaining the visual fidelity of the original WYSIWYG display, effectively operating in both visual and structural dimensions simultaneously.
2Ease of operation
If a simple editor interface is used, then the ease of operation is improved, but the capability to generate and manage graphical representations of sub-components is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically generates graphical representations of sub-components from the data-object structure without requiring manual intervention. The editor interface self-configures to display and manage the hierarchical package structure, reducing the operational burden on users while maintaining comprehensive management capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-identifying and structuring components and sub-components within the data-object before the user begins editing. This preliminary organization enables the simple interface to automatically present the correct hierarchical structure, eliminating the need for users to manually configure complex graphical representations.
3Ease of manufacture
If user edits are stored in the original data format, then the storage simplicity is improved, but the system cannot facilitate efficient conversion between different data formats
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces an intermediary data structure that facilitates conversion between different data formats. This intermediate representation layer allows the editor to store edits in the original format while enabling efficient conversion to other formats as needed, acting as a mediator between storage simplicity and format versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the data format parameters as needed by maintaining the original storage format while enabling conversion to alternative formats. This parameter flexibility allows the same edited content to be stored simply in the original format while being convertible to JSON, XML, YAML, or other formats when required by different output requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a direct-mail component editing system. The direct-mail component editing system is configured to create direct mail packages and includes a computing device coupled to a display and a printer. During operation, a user can use computing device to design components for a direct-mail mailer, which will be rendered on a graphical user interface and displayed displayed on display as it will be printed by printer. Further, the direct mail component editing system is configured to provide “free form” editing of the content of the components of the package.