XDTL Template Parsing for Automated Report Generation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for creating reports are time-consuming and error-prone, requiring users to manually insert data into templates, and non-programmers find document layout designing languages like XSL difficult to use, necessitating programmer intervention.

Innovation Solution

A system that allows users to create templates in native application formats, such as Excel, by parsing these templates to generate an XDTL template, which is then used to generate an XDTL execution document for rendering reports in the native format, enabling non-technical users to automate report generation without needing specialized knowledge of document layout designing languages.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If document layout designing languages like XSL are used to create templates, then report generation can be automated, but the system becomes difficult to use for non-programmers

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereport generation automationVSAvoidtemplate creation ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary layer between the user and the template creation process. Users interact with familiar native application formats (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) rather than specialized XSL language, and the system automatically converts these native formats into executable templates. This intermediary conversion layer eliminates the need for users to learn complex document layout designing languages while preserving automation capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical process of manually writing and editing XSL templates with an automated conversion mechanism. Instead of requiring users to mechanically construct templates using specialized syntax, the system substitutes this with automatic parsing and conversion of native application formats, significantly reducing the operational barrier for non-programmers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of manufacture

If programmers create templates in document layout designing languages, then templates can be generated, but time and expense increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemplate creation capabilityVSAvoidtemplate creation time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables self-service template creation by allowing users to directly create templates in native application formats without requiring programmer intervention. Users can independently generate templates using familiar applications, and the system automatically handles the conversion to executable format, eliminating the need for programmer time and expense while maintaining template creation capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent substitutes the manual mechanical process of programmer template creation with an automated conversion system. Instead of requiring programmers to manually write and debug XSL templates, the system automatically converts user-created native format templates into executable form, dramatically reducing the time and resource investment required for template manufacture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Productivity

If manual data insertion into reports is performed, then reports can be created, but the process is time-consuming and error-prone

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereport creation speedVSAvoiddata insertion accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables continuous automated data insertion by establishing a persistent template structure that automatically receives and processes data from databases. Rather than discrete manual insertion operations, the system maintains a continuous automated pipeline where data is automatically extracted, transformed, and inserted into the report template, improving both speed and accuracy through consistent automated processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the manual mechanical process of data insertion with an automated system that uses templates to automatically retrieve and insert data from databases. This substitution eliminates human error in data placement while maintaining the ability to produce accurate, timely reports through automated data processing mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS8095870B2Extensible document transformation language: an innovative way of generating business document and report

Publication Date: 2012.01.10 ORACLE INT CORP

AI summary

In various embodiments, a method for generating documents in native application formats includes receiving a document template as a first document according to a native format. The first document is parsed to generate an Extensible Document Transformation Language (XDTL) template representing the document template. An XDTL execution document is generated based on the XDTL template. A second document is then generated according to the native format based on the XDTL execution document.