Invariant Location Referencing for Digital Content
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge of accurately referencing locations within electronic books and digital content across varying display devices due to differences in screen size, font type, and other display conditions, which makes it difficult for users to navigate and communicate specific content locations.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of invariant location referencing, where unique identifiers are assigned to specific content segments, allowing users to accurately reference locations regardless of display conditions, by embedding or generating these identifiers before or after content distribution, and displaying them alongside the content for easy navigation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional page numbering is used in eBooks, then the content can be displayed on various display devices, but the page references become inaccurate when display conditions (screen size, font type, font size, margins, line spacing, resolution) vary
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mapping system that connects invariant logical page numbers to variable physical display positions. This mapping table acts as a mediator that translates stable logical references into device-specific physical coordinates, allowing accurate location referencing across different display conditions without compromising either adaptability or precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a new dimension of logical pagination that exists independently from physical display parameters. By creating a separate logical page numbering system that is decoupled from screen size, font settings, and other display conditions, the system enables accurate cross-device referencing while maintaining full adaptability to various display configurations
2Ease of operation
If the user changes display conditions (font type, font size, margins, line spacing) while reading an eBook, then the display can be customized to personal preference, but the user cannot easily locate the previously read content
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism that tracks the user's logical page position and provides continuous navigation assistance. The system monitors changes in display conditions and automatically adjusts the mapping to maintain accurate location references, giving the user feedback about their current position and enabling quick recovery of previously read content even after customization changes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent pre-establishes invariant logical page numbers and their corresponding positions in the content structure before the user begins reading. This preliminary organization of content into stable logical units allows the user to freely customize display conditions while the system has already prepared the mapping information needed for rapid location recovery, eliminating the time loss associated with re-navigating after display changes
Data Source
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AI summary
A method of presenting a digital work includes displaying a portion of the digital work on a display screen (100) under a set of display conditions, and providing one or more invariant location reference identifiers (300) corresponding to the portion of the digital work on the display screen. The invariant location reference identifiers (300) are separate from the digital work, and each invariant location reference identifier is provided along with the corresponding portion of the digital work, regardless of the display conditions under which the portion of the digital work is displayed.