Patent · US Active

Document layout method

US7554689B2 · kind B2 · utility

30Cited by
1References
34Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateJul 15, 2004
Grant dateJun 30, 2009
Priority date
Expiry dateJul 4, 2027

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG06F40/103
  • WIPO fieldComputer technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for variable document printing are disclosed in which a graphical user interface is configured to allow user manipulation of layout rules associated with content containers within a template for variable document generation. One method involves laying out (626) container objects (407, 408) forming part of a template (624) intended for a variable data document. The objects each have a rectangular boundary in two-dimensional space, and the method comprises detecting an operation (628, 2800) to modify a position of at least one edge of at least one of the objects. Then, rules of association between edges of the objects having a corresponding orientation to the one edge are identified. A position of at least the one edge is then modified whilst observing the rules of association between all the correspondingly oriented edges. Finally an objective function derived from the rules of association between the correspondingly oriented edges is minimized (3009) to thereby balance a layout of the objects in at least the dimension of modification. Other methods involve maintaining the objective function for a group of edges, the addition and removal of constraints in respe…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.