Document Processing System for Simultaneous Multi-Format Output
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current document processing systems require manual initiation of each application for outputting files, necessitating separate output commands and settings for multiple documents, which is inefficient and cumbersome, especially when dealing with disparate file formats.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for application-independent document processing that allows simultaneous output of disparately encoded electronic documents without manually initiating each application, by receiving selection data, associating formats with software modules, and communicating documents to corresponding modules for unified processing and output.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If multiple applications are manually opened and configured for outputting multiple documents, then each document can be processed with its specific application, but the operation time and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a document processing device as an intermediary between the user and multiple applications. This device receives output requests for multiple documents, automatically opens the appropriate applications, and coordinates the output process. The intermediary handles all manual operations including opening applications, selecting output commands, and configuring settings, thereby reducing user workload and operation time while maintaining proper document processing through specialized applications
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring and pre-opening the necessary applications before the user actually needs to output documents. The document processing device maintains a ready state with applications loaded and configured, so when output requests are received, the system can immediately proceed with processing without requiring the user to manually prepare each application, thus significantly reducing operation time
2Reliability
If each application is opened and configured separately for outputting documents, then document-specific processing is ensured, but the number of operations and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The document processing device is designed as a universal system that can handle multiple document types and applications through a single interface. It performs multiple functions including opening different applications, selecting appropriate output commands, configuring output settings, and coordinating simultaneous output operations. This multi-functional approach maintains document-specific processing reliability while reducing the perceived complexity for users, as all operations are managed through one unified device rather than requiring users to navigate multiple application interfaces
3Ease of operation
If manual output commands are issued in each application, then precise control over each document's output is achieved, but the number of steps and time required increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple separate output operations into a single coordinated process. Instead of requiring the user to issue output commands in each application separately, the document processing device combines all output requests into one unified operation. It simultaneously manages multiple applications, coordinates their output commands, and handles all configuration settings in parallel, thereby maintaining precise control over each document's output while dramatically improving output efficiency and reducing the number of user steps required
Data Source
AI summary
The subject application is directed to a system and method for simultaneously commencing output of disparately encoded electronic documents. Selection data representative of multiple electronic documents encoded in multiple disparate formats is first received. For example, the electronic documents are capable of being encoded in MICROSOFT OFFICE WORD, MICROSOFT OFFICE EXCEL, ADOBE ACROBAT formats, and the like. Each of the disparate formats is associated with a corresponding software module and then retrieved in accordance with received selection data. Next, the electronic documents are communicated to corresponding software modules, and the document processing device commences a selected document processing operation on each of the electronic documents by a corresponding software module. Each application-specific module is adapted for processing a document processing request for one or more types of documents that are associated with one specific application.