In-Document Tagging for Automated Content Sharing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current document dissemination methods require manual extraction and sharing of document portions, lacking context and efficiency, and often necessitate specialized interfaces for simple information distribution and feedback processes.

Innovation Solution

A system that allows users to add in-document tags specifying operations on document portions, enabling automated sharing, commenting, and approval within the document context, using a visual representation of tags and processing them based on user commands or events.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual extraction of document portions is used for sharing, then information can be shared, but the process becomes cumbersome and context is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of sharing document portionsVSAvoidtime required for manual extraction
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the document into selectable portions and applies tags to specific segments rather than requiring manual extraction. Users can mark up specific portions of documents with tags that automatically extract and share only the relevant segments, eliminating the need for manual cut-and-paste operations while preserving context through the tag structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces tags as an intermediary mechanism between the document and the sharing process. These tags serve as markers that automatically identify and extract document portions for sharing, acting as a mediator that eliminates the need for manual extraction while maintaining the connection to the original document context.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If specialized sharing interfaces are used, then document distribution is enabled, but the system complexity increases and interfaces become stand-alone modules

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecapability for document distributionVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates the tagging system directly into the word processing application, making the document editing tool itself multi-functional. The same application that creates and edits documents also handles tagging, marking, and sharing operations, eliminating the need for separate stand-alone sharing interfaces and reducing overall system complexity.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the sharing functionality with the document editing environment by implementing tags within the word processing application. This consolidation combines document creation, markup, and distribution capabilities into a single integrated system, reducing the number of separate interfaces and modules needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Productivity

If in-document tagging is implemented, then automated sharing is enabled, but the system requires processing and event handling mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveefficiency of information sharingVSAvoidsystem processing requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements event-driven tag processing where tags are processed automatically upon specific events such as document saving, closing, or user commands. This preliminary setup of event handlers allows automated sharing to occur without continuous system monitoring, balancing productivity improvement with manageable processing requirements by triggering actions only when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS8966362B2Method and system for in-document markup in support of information sharing
Publication Date: 2015.02.24 XEROX CORP
  • US8966362B2 patent drawing
  • US8966362B2 patent drawing
  • US8966362B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A system is provided to facilitate content dissemination. During operation, the system allows a user to add a tag to a first document, wherein the tag indicates an operation to be performed on a portion of the document. The system then processes the tag and performs the operation on the document portion based on the tag.