Document Formatting Mechanism for Accessibility and Fidelity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing document formats struggle to simultaneously represent Final Form and alternate Mark-Up formats, leading to issues with accessibility, fidelity, and efficiency in printing and digital consumption, particularly for users with disabilities, due to the complexity of retrofitting tags and maintaining precise visual appearance.

Innovation Solution

A method that embeds or associates one or more alternate Mark-Up formats within identified components of a Final Form document, using a mechanism like the Alternate Document Container Object (ALT_DOC) to link or embed Mark-Up format data, enabling flexible rendering suitable for different devices and accessibility needs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If Mark-Up format tags are retrofitted onto Final Form documents to promote accessibility, then accessibility needs are addressed, but the Final Form document becomes cluttered with unwanted tags requiring additional stripping steps

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveaccessibilityVSAvoiddocument structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the document into separate Final Form and Mark-Up format representations, each serving distinct purposes. The Final Form maintains precise visual appearance while the Mark-Up format handles accessibility and reflow, eliminating the need to clutter the Final Form with accessibility tags.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary conversion process that transforms Final Form documents into Mark-Up formats with proper accessibility tags. This intermediary step allows accessibility features to be added without directly modifying the Final Form document structure, avoiding clutter while maintaining accessibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If alternate Mark-Up formats are created for different accessibility needs, then accessibility for specific disabilities is improved, but maintaining fidelity across multiple formats becomes complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccessibility for specific needsVSAvoidfidelity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal conversion mechanism that can generate multiple Mark-Up formats (HTML, ePub, Braille, etc.) from a single Final Form source. This universal approach ensures consistent fidelity across all formats while providing specialized accessibility features for different disabilities through format-specific rendering rules.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple document formats are maintained for different use cases, then accessibility and device compatibility are improved, but document size and processing complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice compatibilityVSAvoiddocument size

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses intelligent copying where the Final Form document serves as the master source, and Mark-Up formats are generated as needed through conversion processes. This approach avoids storing multiple complete document versions, reducing overall document size while maintaining compatibility across devices through on-demand format generation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentUS10303740B2Autonomous document formatting mechanism

Publication Date: 2019.05.28 RICOH CO LTD

AI summary

A method is disclosed. The method includes receiving Final Form presentation document data and inserting one or more alternate Mark-Up formats at each of one or more document components identified in the document data.