Predetermined Templates for Collaborative Electronic Publishing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Generating and publishing electronic content, particularly for e-training and e-learning, is time-consuming due to manual processes requiring multiple iterations and contributions from various stakeholders, leading to inefficiencies in content development.

Innovation Solution

A system and method utilizing predetermined templates that allow multiple contributors to add content collaboratively through a cloud-based environment, enabling automated compilation and publication of the final output.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If manual processes are used for generating electronic content with multiple contributors, then content can be customized and reviewed iteratively, but the development time and complexity increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontent customizationVSAvoiddevelopment time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-defining content templates with predetermined structures, layouts, and approval workflows before content creation begins. This allows contributors to work within established frameworks rather than creating structures from scratch, significantly reducing development time while maintaining customization capabilities through template selection and content adaptation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the content development process into distinct phases: template selection, content contribution, automated compilation, and approval. By dividing the workflow into discrete, manageable segments with clear transition points, multiple contributors can work simultaneously on different aspects without creating bottlenecks, thus reducing overall development time while preserving iterative review capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple contributors work on content through manual processes, then diverse input is gathered, but coordination complexity and iteration cycles increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecollaborative inputVSAvoidproject management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an automated compilation system as an intermediary that receives content from multiple contributors, processes it according to predetermined templates, and generates the final output. This intermediary automates the coordination complexity, allowing contributors to focus on content creation while the system manages the integration and workflow coordination, thus reducing project management complexity while maintaining collaborative input.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameters of the collaboration process by implementing predetermined templates with fixed structures, approval thresholds, and automated workflows. These parameter changes transform the collaborative process from an unstructured, high-complexity manual process into a standardized, automated process that maintains diverse contributor input while significantly reducing coordination complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If predetermined templates are used for content generation, then development speed increases, but flexibility in content structure may be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontent development speedVSAvoidstructure flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the template system adaptable rather than rigid. Contributors can select from multiple predetermined templates appropriate to different content types and requirements, and the automated compilation process adjusts the final output based on the specific template chosen and content contributed. This dynamic approach maintains high development speed through template usage while preserving structure flexibility through template selection and adaptive compilation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS12443789B2System and method for generating and publishing electronic content from predetermined templates

Publication Date: 2025.10.14 1206881 ALBERTA LTD

AI summary

A system and method are provided for generating and publishing electronic content using predetermined templates. The method comprises providing a predetermined template specifying a predetermined layout for at least one slide to contain content; enabling the content to be added to the template by a plurality of contributors, each contributor having access to a project comprising the template over a network; receiving the content; and compiling a published output according to the received content and parameters of the predetermined template.