Offline Document Link Embedding via Web Page Conversion

Solution Overview

Problem

Documents with external web page links cannot be referenced in an offline environment when converted to a format viewable without special software, such as PDF, as the information from the link destination cannot be accessed.

Innovation Solution

An image processing apparatus that acquires information from external links in documents, converts web pages to PDF format, and stores this information in an offline environment, allowing access to the link destination even when the system is not connected to the internet.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a document is converted to PDF format for offline viewing, then the document can be viewed without special software, but external web page links cannot be accessed in offline environment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedocument viewabilityVSAvoidlink destination information

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary acquisition of web page content from external link destinations before the document is viewed offline. The processor acquires the web page at the link destination, converts it to PDF format, and embeds it within the main document. This preliminary action ensures that all linked information is available locally when offline viewing is required, eliminating the loss of link destination information while maintaining document viewability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system merges the external web page content with the main document by converting the acquired web page to PDF and embedding it as an internal resource. Instead of maintaining separate external links that require online access, the web page content is combined with the document structure, allowing both the main document and linked content to be viewed together in offline environment without special software.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Adaptability or versatility

If external web page links are inserted in a document, then information from external sources can be referenced, but the document cannot be fully referenced in offline environment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinformation access capabilityVSAvoidoffline accessibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary acquisition of web page content from external link destinations before the document is viewed offline. The processor acquires the web page at the link destination, converts it to PDF format, and embeds it within the main document. This preliminary action ensures that all linked information is available locally when offline viewing is required, eliminating the loss of link destination information while maintaining document viewability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates a copy of the external web page content and embeds it within the document structure. Instead of relying on external URLs that require internet connectivity, the web page content is copied and stored as an internal PDF resource, enabling offline access while preserving the information from external sources.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Loss of information

If web pages are converted to PDF format, then the information can be stored offline, but additional processing steps are required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelink destination accessibilityVSAvoidconversion process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The processor performs multiple functions using a single integrated process: acquiring web page content, converting it to PDF format, and embedding it within the document structure. This multi-functional approach consolidates what would otherwise be separate operations into one unified process, reducing overall system complexity while ensuring link destination information is preserved and accessible offline.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20230306189A1Information processing apparatus, non-transitory computer readable medium storing program, and information processing method

Publication Date: 2023.09.28 FUJIFILM BUSINESS INNOVATION CORP

AI summary

An information processing apparatus includes a processor configured to: acquire information from an external link destination inserted into a document in a document format that can be viewed without depending on a software environment; in a case where the acquired information is a web page, convert the web page into a file in the document format; and store the file obtained from the external link destination in an offline environment in association with the document.