Integrated Authoring System for Technical Manuals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems are unable to author interactive electronic technical manuals (IETM) of Class IV level and paper technical manuals simultaneously, as they struggle with data conversion from MIL-STD-1388-2B to MIL-PRF-87269 or MIL-STD-2361 standards, and fail to manage information like tables and illustrations effectively, leading to inefficiencies in manual development.
Innovation Solution
An integrated authoring system comprising an iCAST-LSA module, TMM module, illustrated drawing manager module, and TMA module, which extracts data from logistics support analysis databases, automatically converts and manages data to create interactive electronic and paper technical manuals, ensuring compliance with international standards and reducing redundant entry.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If data is provided in MIL-STD-1388-2B format for text editors, then electronic technical manuals lower than Class III can be authored, but electronic technical manuals higher than Class IV cannot be authored due to inability to store and manage contents in database format
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary conversion system that transforms MIL-STD-1388-2B format data into MIL-PRF-87269 or MIL-STD-2361 database formats. This intermediary conversion layer enables compatibility between legacy text editor-based systems and modern database-based electronic technical manual systems, allowing authoring of manuals across all class levels without directly modifying the source data format.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by transforming the data structure parameters from flat text editor formats to hierarchical database formats. The conversion process modifies key parameters including data organization structure, storage format, and access methods, enabling the same source data to support both Class III text-based manuals and Class IV database-based manuals.
2Productivity
If text editor files are used for technical manual data, then authoring can be performed, but manual developers must re-edit files and cannot provide tables and illustrated drawings due to unsatisfaction of document standards
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal authoring system that handles multiple document types (tables, illustrations, text) through a single integrated interface. The system provides multi-functionality by enabling authors to work with various media types and export to different formats (HTML, SML, database formats) without requiring separate tools or manual re-editing for each document type or format.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements automatic copying and transformation of source data into multiple target formats simultaneously. Once data is entered in the standardized structure, the system automatically generates copies in HTML format for web-based manuals, SML format for structured documentation, and database formats for electronic technical manuals, eliminating the need for manual re-editing.
3Adaptability or versatility
If separate authoring processes are used for paper and electronic technical manuals, then each manual type can be customized, but development time and costs increase due to redundant data entry
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the authoring processes for paper and electronic technical manuals into a single integrated system. The unified authoring interface allows simultaneous creation of both manual types from the same source data, automatically distributing content to appropriate output formats. This eliminates redundant data entry while maintaining the ability to customize each manual type's specific requirements through format-specific templates and styles.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are an integrated authoring system for an electronic technical manual and a paper technical manual using logistics support analysis data, which is capable of authoring an interactive electronic technical manual (IETM) of Class IV level and a paper technical manual at the same time. The integrated authoring system for an electronic technical manual and a paper technical manual using logistics support analysis data comprises: an iCAST-LSA (intelligent computer based acquisition support tool-logistics support analysis) module; a TMM (Technical Manual Management) module for performing a technical manual management function by importing from the DB of the iCAST-LSA module or exporting to the DB of the iCAST-LSA module; an illustrated drawing manager module; and a TMA (Technical Manual Author) module for performing a manual author manager function for sending and receiving illustrated drawings (ID) or CGM data to and from the illustrated drawing manager module.