Smart File Typesetting Conversion for Device-Specific E-Publishing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for converting printed documents to electronic formats, such as e-books, lose design metadata, resulting in inconsistent and less aesthetically pleasing displays across devices due to on-the-fly rendering, which increases latency and limits font availability.
Innovation Solution
A 'smart file and device-specific application' approach that maintains the original document's look and feel by pre-computing typographic details, allowing devices to display content quickly without additional layout calculations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If on-the-fly rendering is used to convert documents to electronic formats, then device compatibility is improved, but design metadata is lost and aesthetic quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-computing and embedding typographic details, font information, and layout metadata into the electronic document file during the conversion process. This allows the document to retain its original design characteristics while being ready for immediate display on various devices without requiring runtime computation.
2Quantity of substance
If on-the-fly rendering is used, then file size is reduced, but display latency increases and reading speed deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-computes the complete layout and typographic rendering during document conversion, embedding all positioning and formatting information in advance. This eliminates runtime layout calculations, significantly reducing display latency and improving reading speed despite the increased file size from embedded metadata.
3Adaptability or versatility
If on-the-fly rendering is used, then font availability is improved, but typographic precision is lost and design consistency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent embeds font data and typographic information directly into the electronic document file, creating a self-contained copy of the original document's visual characteristics. This ensures that the document displays with identical typography and formatting across all devices, preserving design consistency and typographic precision regardless of the device's native font availability.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method that converts the digital typesetting documents used in publishing to a device-specific format for electronic publishing. A “smart file and device-specific application” approach maintains the “look and feel” (design) of the source document used for print publication while typesetting for a specific device. Although this approach requires considerably more resources to create a smart file for each device-specific format, the smart file retains the unique typesetting characteristics of the printed book, is more aesthetically pleasing, and is easier to read. Furthermore, the device-specific application can render the smart file more quickly thereby eliminating any latency.