Scroll Indexing System for Accurate Position Retrieval

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Solution Overview

Problem

Ancient scrolls lack position indicia such as column, paragraph, or verse numbers, making it difficult for readers to locate specific sections or verses, especially when the scroll is repositioned or shared among multiple readers.

Innovation Solution

A system that uses a feature index, section index, and equivalence index to describe position within a scroll using column numbers and intra-column positions, allowing for navigation and repositioning of the scroll based on these indices without external annotations, employing sensors and a controller to identify and relocate desired locations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If sequential reading is used without position indicia, then the reading process is simple, but the ability to locate specific sections efficiently deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereading simplicityVSAvoidtime to locate specific sections

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary action by pre-processing the scroll content to create feature indices, section indices, and equivalence indices before reading sessions begin. These indices are generated by analyzing the scroll's structure, identifying features, and calculating position data in advance, enabling rapid navigation without adding visible markings to the original text.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary indexing system that mediates between the unmarked scroll and the reader's navigation needs. The feature index, section index, and equivalence index act as intermediate data structures that map scroll positions to meaningful sections, allowing readers to locate content efficiently without directly interacting with the scroll's physical structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the scroll is repositioned between reading sessions, then flexibility is improved, but the ability to return to specific positions deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescroll repositioning flexibilityVSAvoidposition retrieval accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements feedback by continuously tracking the scroll's actual position through sensor data and comparing it with the desired position derived from index lookups. The controller adjusts the scroll position iteratively based on this feedback, ensuring accurate retrieval even after multiple repositioning operations. The equivalence index provides feedback mechanisms to handle variations in scroll archetypes and maintain position accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary action by pre-calculating and storing equivalence indices that account for different scroll archetypes and potential repositioning scenarios. These pre-computed equivalence relationships enable the system to reliably determine scroll positions after repositioning, maintaining accuracy regardless of how many times the scroll has been moved.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple readers share the same scroll, then collaboration is improved, but the ability to track individual positions deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemulti-reader collaborationVSAvoidindividual reader position tracking

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the scroll's position space into distinct sections and features that can be independently referenced. Each reader can be assigned to specific sections or features of interest, and the indexing system maintains separate position tracking for each reader's progress through these segmented regions, preventing position information loss in multi-reader scenarios.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Ease of operation

If modern replication adds chapter or paragraph numbers, then location of specific sections is improved, but fidelity to original scroll format deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesection location efficiencyVSAvoidoriginal scroll format integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a virtual copy of the scroll's structural information through indexing, rather than physically modifying the original. The feature index, section index, and equivalence index are generated as separate data structures that replicate the scroll's organizational hierarchy and position relationships, enabling efficient navigation without altering the original scroll's composition or adding external annotations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentUS11997237B1Computer implemented method to perform scroll indexing and re-positioning the scroll to search for a desired feature at a desired location

Publication Date: 2024.05.28 LYDICK DANIEL

AI summary

Embodiments include a method, computer-implemented method, and apparatus to provide local soft-copy access, local hard-copy access, remote or web-based access to information, text, and content articulated in a scroll. Indices are created and then utilized to locate and access text within the scroll. In addition, rulers are employed with the indices to locate indicia within the scroll, including accommodating scrolls of different archetypes.