Hierarchical Tree Data Transformation for Content Assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users face difficulties in combining disparate content from various Internet sources and generating a printed, aesthetically pleasing version of this content for offline viewing.

Innovation Solution

A hierarchical tree structure is used, where leaf nodes represent original content and non-leaf nodes specify scripts to transform data, allowing for the generation of combined content that can be printed. Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) are exposed to enable content providers to create hierarchical trees and manage the printing process through a print service provider, allowing end-users to specify content combination and printing requests.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If users manually combine content from various Internet sources, then content can be assembled for printing, but the process becomes difficult and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontent assembly efficiencyVSAvoiduser operation difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary system that acts as a mediator between users and content sources. This system automatically retrieves content from multiple Internet sources, processes it through defined workflows, and prepares it for printing. The intermediary handles the complexity of content aggregation, transformation, and formatting, freeing users from manual assembly tasks while maintaining ease of operation through simple interface interactions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the content assembly process into distinct modular components: content retrieval from different sources, content transformation through workflows, and final printing preparation. Each segment can be independently configured and executed, improving overall productivity by allowing parallel processing of multiple content sources and enabling users to interact with the system at high-level abstraction points rather than managing complex manual assembly operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If content providers offer customized content generation services, then user-desired content assembly is enabled, but the providers must operate as print service providers

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontent customization capabilityVSAvoidservice operation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal platform that performs multiple functions: content retrieval from various sources, content transformation through configurable workflows, and printing service coordination. This multi-functional system allows content providers to offer customized content generation services without needing to operate as full print service providers. The platform handles the complexity of content assembly and printing logistics, enabling providers to focus on content curation and workflow definition while maintaining adaptability to user-specific requirements.

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

3Productivity

If hierarchical tree structure is used to transform data, then combined content is generated, but the transformation process requires complex scripting

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontent transformation efficiencyVSAvoidtransformation system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-defining transformation workflows and scripts that are configured in advance. These workflows are stored in the hierarchical tree structure, with each node containing pre-programmed transformation logic. When content flows through the tree, the pre-configured scripts automatically execute the appropriate transformations without requiring complex real-time scripting decisions. This approach maintains high transformation efficiency while reducing the perceived complexity for users, as the complex scripting work has been done beforehand during system setup rather than during content processing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS8885192B2Data transformation using leaf and non-leaf nodes
Publication Date: 2014.11.11 HEWLETT PACKARD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LP
  • US8885192B2 patent drawing
  • US8885192B2 patent drawing
  • US8885192B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A hierarchical tree is received that includes nodes. The nodes include a leaf node and a non-leaf node. The leaf node points to the non-leaf node, and specifies original data. The non-leaf node specifies a script to transform the original data to generate transformed data. The script is executed to transform the original data to generate the transformed data. The transformed data is output.