Variable Data Document Generation with Complex Mapping Rules
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing variable-data publishing techniques are limited to one-to-one mapping between variable data items and documents, failing to support complex relationships such as one-to-many or many-to-many mappings, and do not allow for circular mapping of variable data items across documents.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that generate composite documents by using document containers with defined slots for static and variable content items, allowing for multiple data levels of variable content items to be defined hierarchically, enabling one-to-many, many-to-many, and circular mappings through rules for selecting and placing content items.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If prior art variable-data publishing techniques are used for one-to-one mapping, then document generation is simple and straightforward, but complex relationships such as one-to-many or many-to-many mappings cannot be supported
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the document generation system into distinct components: templates define document structure, variable data items store dynamic content, and mapping rules define relationships. This segmentation allows the system to handle complex one-to-many and many-to-many mappings by treating each relationship type as a separate configurable rule, rather than requiring a completely different system architecture for each mapping scenario.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal document generation system that can handle multiple mapping relationships (one-to-one, one-to-many, many-to-many) through a single unified framework. The mapping rules component serves multiple functions by interpreting different relationship types using the same basic mechanism of associating variable data items with template placeholders, thereby achieving versatility without proportionally increasing system complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If circular mapping is implemented where variable data items cycle through defined positions, then dynamic content distribution is enhanced, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements circular mapping by pre-defining the cyclic relationship in the mapping rules before document generation occurs. The system预先 establishes the sequence and positions of variable data items in the circular pattern, so that during actual document generation, the system simply follows the pre-established cycle rather than calculating complex permutations in real-time, thereby reducing operational complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple data levels of variable content items are defined hierarchically, then personalized content distribution is enabled, but the complexity of managing variable content increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a hierarchical dimension to variable content organization by defining multiple data levels (e.g., global variables, document-level variables, section-level variables). This hierarchical structure allows users to manage content at different scopes independently, making it easier to control personalization at appropriate levels without managing all variables uniformly, thereby improving operational ease despite the added dimensional complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for generating composite documents from document containers using a set of rules to populate slots in the containers with variable content is presented. The present invention allows the user to produce many individual, customized documents from a single container or set of linked containers and a set of content items stored in a database. Each container includes a set of rules that establish one-to-one, one-to-many, many-to-many, or circular mappings between slots and content items. In one or more embodiments, the present invention may be used to create customized composite photograph collages, such as custom school pictures, where each generated document is a photograph collage that features a photograph of an individual student in a central, enlarged, or more prominent position, with smaller photographs of the other students in the class or school in less prominent positions in the collage.