Hyperlink Reference Page Generation for Printed Documents
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Solution Overview
Problem
When electronic documents containing hyperlinks are printed, the hyperlinks are not highlighted, and their destinations are not listed, making it difficult for offline readers to identify and access them, limiting their referencing capability.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that detect hyperlinks in electronic documents, extract their destinations, and add reference pages to the printed output, listing the hyperlinks and their corresponding URLs, allowing users to access this information without needing the original electronic document.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If electronic documents are printed directly without processing, then printing speed is maintained, but hyperlink information is lost and readers cannot identify hyperlink destinations
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of hyperlinks and extraction of hyperlink destinations before the printing process. This advance processing ensures that all hyperlink information is captured and prepared for inclusion in the printed document, preventing any loss of hyperlink data during printing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary processing system between the electronic document and the printer. This intermediary component detects hyperlinks, extracts destinations, generates reference pages, and integrates them into the final printout, thereby preserving hyperlink information without requiring changes to the printer itself.
2Ease of operation
If reference pages with hyperlinks are added to the printed document, then reader referencing capability is improved, but document length increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the document into two parts: the main content and the reference pages. The reference pages are separated and placed at the end of the document, containing only the hyperlink destinations and URLs. This segmentation allows readers to easily access hyperlink information without it being interspersed throughout the main content, improving referencing capability while minimizing disruption to the document structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies partial action by only processing and including hyperlink information that is actually present in the document. Rather than adding unnecessary reference pages to all documents, the system selectively creates reference pages only when hyperlinks are detected, thus avoiding excessive document length increase while still providing the needed referencing capability.
3Loss of information
If hyperlink detection and processing is performed, then hyperlink destinations are preserved in printout, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual hyperlink tracking with an automated computer-based system. The processor automatically detects hyperlinks, extracts destinations, generates reference pages, and integrates them into the document without requiring manual intervention. This substitution of mechanical/manual processes with automated computing operations significantly reduces the time required while ensuring complete preservation of hyperlink information.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure discloses methods and systems for printing an input electronic document that contains one or more hyperlinks. According to the disclosed method, the input electronic document is received for printing. Then, one or more hyperlinks are detected and corresponding hyperlink destinations are extracted. Thereafter, one or more reference pages are added at an end of the input electronic document to create a final document for printing, the one or more reference pages list the extracted hyperlinks and corresponding hyperlink destinations. The final document is submitted to a printer for printing.