Dynamic Time Reference Management in Digital Documents
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Solution Overview
Problem
Relative time references in digital documents can be misinterpreted due to their dependence on unspecified time bases, leading to misunderstandings about the document's meaning, especially when creation dates are not explicitly displayed.
Innovation Solution
Generating corresponding time artifacts from original time references based on fixed or variable time bases, which are then associated with the original time references to provide accurate time values, allowing for correct interpretation of time references regardless of access time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If relative time references are used in documents to convey information concisely, then document brevity is improved, but time reference interpretation accuracy deteriorates due to dependence on unspecified time bases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by pre-calculating and storing time artifacts corresponding to relative time references when the document is accessed. The processor identifies relative time references, determines the appropriate time base (e.g., document creation date, publication date), calculates the actual time values, and stores these pre-computed time artifacts for later retrieval and display, thereby resolving the ambiguity before the user needs to interpret the time reference.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary mechanism - the time artifact - that mediates between the relative time reference in the document and the actual time value needed for accurate interpretation. The time artifact serves as a bridge, containing both the original relative time reference and the calculated absolute time value, allowing users to understand the intended meaning without ambiguity about which time base was used.
2Measurement precision
If time bases are made explicit in documents to improve time reference interpretation, then time reference accuracy is improved, but document complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts the time base information from the document content itself (such as creation date, publication date, or last modified date) and uses it automatically to resolve relative time references. This eliminates the need to explicitly state time bases in the document while still achieving accurate interpretation, as the time base is derived from metadata that is already present in digital documents.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service by automatically determining the appropriate time base based on the document's own metadata and context. The processor identifies the relevant time base autonomously without requiring explicit instructions or additional information from the user, thereby maintaining document simplicity while achieving accurate time reference interpretation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If dynamic time base determination is implemented to handle variable time references, then adaptability is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements dynamics by enabling the time base determination to adapt automatically based on the specific document and context. The processor dynamically identifies the appropriate time base (creation date, publication date, last modified date, or other document-specific dates) based on the document's metadata and the current access context, allowing the system to handle variable time references flexibly without requiring manual configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies parameter changes by varying the time base parameter according to the document type, access context, and user preferences. The processor can switch between different time bases (e.g., document creation time vs. publication time) based on the specific requirements of each document, thereby achieving high adaptability while managing complexity through automated parameter selection based on established document metadata standards.
Data Source
AI summary
A method, computer system, and computer program product for accessing documents is provided. The method includes providing a document having one or more original time references having corresponding meanings depending on one or more time bases, identifying the original time references in the document, generating corresponding time artifacts for the original time references, the time artifacts including corresponding time values being calculated from the corresponding original time references according to the time bases and/or corresponding calculation instructions for calculating the corresponding time values from the corresponding original time references according to the time bases, and associating the corresponding time artifacts with the original time references for outputting the corresponding time values.