Plain Text Table Manager Markup Conversion
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies fail to effectively present data item tables in plain text format, making it difficult for recipients who prefer plain text-based communication mediums like fax or plain text email to view table-formatted information conveniently.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a plain text table manager with a template manager, parsing engine, plain text layout engine, and graphical table structure generator that converts non-proprietary markup language formatted table information into a plain text graphical table structured view, using delimiters to separate data items and maintain table structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If table information is formatted in markup language (HTML/XML), then the table structure and formatting are preserved and professionally presented, but the table cannot be viewed conveniently by recipients who prefer plain text-based communication mediums
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a conversion system that acts as an intermediary between markup language tables and plain text recipients. The system includes a parser that extracts table structure from HTML/XML, a layout engine that determines plain text representation, and a generator that creates the final plain text output. This intermediary conversion process allows the same table data to be effectively communicated to both web-based and plain text-based recipients without modifying the original markup language source.
2Ease of manufacture
If markup language tables are used for personalized communications, then data presentation is professional and structured, but recipients using plain text communication mediums (fax, plain text email) cannot view the table formatting
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic conversion of table representations based on the communication medium and recipient preferences. The system can switch between generating rich HTML tables for web-based communications and plain text representations for fax or plain text email. This dynamic adaptation ensures that the table data is presented in the most suitable format for each communication channel, maintaining both professional presentation quality and recipient viewing capability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a conversion system is added to support plain text tables, then compatibility with plain text mediums is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the conversion system into distinct functional modules: a parser module that extracts table structure from markup language, a layout engine module that determines plain text representation based on table structure, and a generator module that creates the final plain text output. This segmentation allows each module to be independently developed, tested, and optimized, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high adaptability to plain text communication mediums.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems are described for plain text formatting of data item tables. An example system includes a plain text table manager including a template manager configured to obtain a hierarchical template including table information associated with a table, table information formatted in accordance with a non-proprietary markup language format. The example system also includes a parsing engine configured to parse the table information associated with the table to determine one or more markup language elements associated with the table. The example system also includes a plain text layout engine configured to determine a plain text graphical table structured layout associated with the table, based on the one or more markup language elements. The example system also includes a graphical table structure generator configured to generate a plain text graphical table structured view of the table indicating one or more data items indicated by the table information.