Document Template Component Positioning Automation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current document production systems lack automation for maintaining consistent design elements across varying content lengths, requiring manual adjustments that are time-consuming and expensive, especially when dealing with complex layouts and multiple components.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus for creating and using templates that define components, links, and repeat functions to automatically position and format content within a document, allowing for consistent design while adapting to content changes, using a processing system to populate and position elements based on defined spatial relationships.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If manual positioning and formatting methods are used, then design consistency can be maintained, but production time and costs increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedesign consistencyVSAvoidproduction time

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The document is segmented into multiple components (text blocks, images, tables, etc.) that can be independently positioned and formatted. Each component can be assigned specific positioning rules and formatting instructions, allowing automated processing while maintaining overall design consistency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes parameters such as component positions, sizes, and formatting attributes automatically based on predefined rules and templates. This allows the document to adapt to varying content lengths and types while maintaining consistent design characteristics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If automated positioning rules are implemented, then productivity improves, but design consistency may be compromised due to manual adjustments

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduction efficiencyVSAvoiddesign consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-service by automatically positioning and formatting components according to predefined rules without requiring manual intervention. The automated rules engine evaluates component properties and applies appropriate positioning and formatting actions, ensuring both productivity and design consistency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the positioning rules evaluate the current state of components and adjust positions iteratively to satisfy design constraints. This feedback loop ensures that automated positioning maintains design consistency while improving productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If complex layouts with multiple components are used, then document sophistication increases, but manual adjustment requirements and errors increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelayout sophisticationVSAvoiderror rate

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The positioning rules system is designed to be universal and multi-functional, handling various component types (text, images, tables, etc.) and layout configurations through a single automated framework. This reduces the need for manual adjustments across different document types and complexities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adapts positioning and formatting rules based on the specific characteristics of each component and the overall document layout. This dynamic behavior allows complex layouts to be processed automatically with high reliability, reducing manual intervention and errors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Adaptability or versatility

If content length varies significantly, then document adaptability improves, but maintaining consistent element positioning becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontent flexibilityVSAvoidpositioning consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The positioning rules are dynamic and responsive to content variations. When content length changes, the system automatically recalculates component positions and spacing to maintain consistent design characteristics, accommodating flexible content while preserving positioning consistency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary positioning and formatting actions based on predefined templates and rules before final document assembly. This preliminary action ensures that even when content length varies, the basic positioning framework is already established, maintaining consistency throughout the document.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS8719699B2Dynamic positioning of components using document templates

Publication Date: 2014.05.06 TYPEFI SYST PTY LTD

AI summary

A method of creating a template for presenting content within a document. The method includes defining a plurality of components, each including at least one content region and at least one of a frame, a template perimeter and an object. A number of links are then defined between the components, each link representing a respective spatial relationship. A processing system is then responsive to the template to populate the content region with content, generate a representation of each component and position the representation of each component in the document using the defined links to control the relative spatial positioning of the components.