Document Footnote Layout via Hierarchical Object Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing online document processing services face inefficiencies in displaying documents, particularly when changes are made, as they often require laying out the entire page again, which can be slow, especially in limited environments like web browsers or mobile applications.
Innovation Solution
The system employs a hierarchy of objects with layout and render functions to efficiently display document elements, including footnote reference information, by generating layout data for specific elements and using asynchronous and synchronous techniques to optimize page rendering, allowing for partial page updates without re-rendering the entire page.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the entire page is re-laid out when changes are made, then layout accuracy is maintained, but rendering time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the page into discrete objects (text elements, footnotes, images, etc.) that can be independently laid out and rendered. When a change occurs, only the affected objects and their dependencies are re-laid out rather than the entire page, maintaining layout accuracy while reducing rendering time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary layout calculations for all objects before rendering. When changes are made, the already-laid-out objects can be quickly updated or repositioned based on previous calculations, avoiding complete re-layout and reducing rendering time while maintaining accuracy.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the entire page is re-rendered when changes are made, then display consistency is ensured, but processing speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The page is segmented into independent renderable objects with defined relationships. The rendering system can selectively render only the changed objects and their dependencies, ensuring display consistency for affected areas while improving processing speed by avoiding redundant rendering of unchanged content.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses a dependency tracking mechanism that provides feedback about which objects are affected by changes. This feedback enables the rendering system to selectively update only the necessary portions of the page, maintaining display consistency while enhancing processing speed.
3Ease of operation
If footnote reference information is laid out on the same page, then information accessibility is improved, but page layout complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces footnote objects as intermediary elements that bridge the main text and footnote content. These footnote objects manage the placement and formatting of footnote reference information, allowing it to be displayed on the same page when space permits while maintaining a clear separation of concerns that reduces overall layout complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The footnote layout system is dynamic and adaptive. It automatically determines whether to place footnote reference information on the same page or on a separate footnote section based on available space and content requirements. This dynamic approach improves information accessibility when possible while managing layout complexity through automated decision-making.
Data Source
AI summary
A plurality of objects associated with respective footnote reference information within a document are generated. An overflow object associated with overflow footnote reference information corresponding to a previous footnote marker appearing on a previous page is invoked to lay out the overflow footnote reference information, generating overflow layout data. A current page object associated with current page footnote reference information that corresponds to a current page footnote marker appearing on the page is invoked to lay out the current page footnote reference information, generating current page footnote reference information layout data, if an available footnote height is sufficient to lay out the current page footnote reference information. The page is displayed based on the overflow layout data and the current page footnote reference information layout data.