Document Generation Engine Using Content Transforming Objects

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Solution Overview

Problem

Document generation tools face challenges in effectively integrating and transforming data from various formats into visually appealing and structured documents, lacking efficiency in handling diverse data types and display characteristics.

Innovation Solution

A document generation engine comprising a data reader, template reader, and document generator, which utilizes content transforming objects and data binding statements to read, manipulate, and execute template files, transforming data into desired display formats, including hierarchical structures and nested sub-assemblies, to generate documents based on received data.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If document generation tools use basic data integration methods, then implementation is simple, but efficiency in handling diverse data types is poor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveefficiency in handling diverse data typesVSAvoidcomplexity of data transformation system
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces content transforming objects as intermediary components that mediate between raw data and document output. These objects serve as specialized transformers that convert data from various formats into desired display formats, enabling efficient handling of diverse data types without requiring complex custom transformation logic for each data type.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a universal data transformation framework using content transforming objects that can handle multiple data types and formats through a common interface. This multi-functional approach allows the system to process diverse data types (XML, JSON, CSV, etc.) and transform them into various document formats (PDF, HTML, Word) using the same underlying mechanism, improving productivity while managing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Manufacturing precision

If document generation tools lack structured transformation capabilities, then system design is simple, but ability to create visually appealing documents is poor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprecision of data presentation controlVSAvoidcomplexity of template execution system
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the document generation process into distinct components: template reading, data binding, content transformation, and document assembly. Each component handles a specific aspect of the transformation process, allowing precise control over data presentation (size, font, layout, position) while organizing system complexity into manageable, modular segments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables precise control over display characteristics by allowing parameter changes in content transforming objects. These objects can modify data presentation parameters such as size, font, layout, and position during the transformation process, enabling visually appealing documents with precise formatting control without requiring hard-coded formatting logic.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If document generation tools process all data uniformly, then processing logic is simple, but adaptability to diverse data formats is poor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to diverse data formatsVSAvoidcomplexity of data reading system
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces content transforming objects as intermediary components that mediate between raw data and document output. These objects serve as specialized transformers that convert data from various formats into desired display formats, enabling efficient handling of diverse data types without requiring complex custom transformation logic for each data type.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the data transformation logic from the core document generation flow and places it in separate content transforming objects. This extraction allows the system to handle diverse data formats (XML, JSON, CSV, databases) through dedicated transformation components, improving adaptability while keeping the main generation logic simple and reusable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS8185820B1System and/or method for document generation
Publication Date: 2012.05.22 ADOBE INC
  • US8185820B1 patent drawing
  • US8185820B1 patent drawing
  • US8185820B1 patent drawing

AI summary

Embodiments of methods, apparatuses, devices and systems associated with document generation are disclosed. For example, methods, apparatuses, devices, and systems associated with formatting content for display are disclosed. Including method apparatuses, devices, and systems to read a data file and a template file, create one or more sub-assemblies based at least in part on said template file and/or said data file; and execute one or more tags in said template file to populate said one or more sub-assemblies with data from said data file.