Method and system for linking data ranges of a computer-generated document with associated extensible markup language elements

• US 20060136812A1
• Filed: 12/20/2004
• Published: 06/22/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/20/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Jones, Brian, Villaron, Shawn Alan, Little, Robert
• Granted Patent: US 7,620,889 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/240
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 40/123 Storage facilities
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 40/143 Markup, e.g. Standard Generalized Markup Language [SGML] or Document Type Definition [DTD]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 40/166 Editing, e.g. inserting or deleting

Abstract

Methods and systems are provided for separating the data of a structured document from markup structure applied to the document and for linking the separately maintained data with associated markup structure applied to the document. The data stream in an Extensible Markup Language (XML) represented document is moved outside of the document structure into a data file that is linked to the document structure. The data file and the XML-represented document structure are maintained in association with a single file (e.g., document), but in separate object models. Links are established between XML elements applied to the document and data ranges of the data file. Each of the XML structure file and the data file may be accessed and edited separately without affecting the structure or data of the other file until the two files are merged for presenting the associated document.

Claims

1. A method for managing markup structure and associated data in a computer-generated document, comprising:

applying Extensible Markup Language (XML) elements to a document;

generating an XML structure file for containing the XML elements applied to the document;

generating a data file for storing data entered into the document;

establishing a link from a given XML element contained in the XML structure file to a corresponding data range contained in the data file; and

upon launching the document, merging data contained in the data file with linked XML elements contained in the XML structure file for displaying the data contained in the data file in the document according to the XML elements applied to the document.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing an electronic file container for containing the XML structure file and the data file.

3. The method of claim 2, whereby upon selection of the electronic file container, providing access to each of the XML structure file and the data file.

4. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

allowing access to the XML structure file independent of the data file for editing the XML elements applied to the document; and

allowing access to the data file independent of the XML structure file for editing data contained in the data file.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving edits to a given data item displayed in the document; and

passing the edits to the given data item to the data file for persisting in an associated data range in the data file.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising passing the data edits across a link between an XML element associated with the edited data item to a corresponding data range in the data file.

7. A method for managing markup structure and associated data in a computer-generated document, comprising:

receiving an application of Extensible Markup Language (XML) elements to a document;

receiving an input of data into the document;

generating an XML structure file for containing the XML elements applied to the document;

generating a data file for storing data entered into the document;

separating the XML structure file and the data file into two separate files contained in an electronic container file;

establishing a link from a given XML element contained in the XML structure file to a corresponding data range in the data file; and

upon launching the document, merging data contained in the data file with linked XML elements contained in the XML structure file for displaying the data contained in the data file in the document according to a document structure dictated by the XML elements applied to the document.

8. The method of claim 7, whereby upon selection of the electronic file container, providing access to each of the XML structure file and the data file.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising:

allowing access to the XML structure file independent of the data file for editing the XML elements applied to the document; and

allowing access to the data file independent of the XML structure file for editing data contained in the data file.

10. The method of claim 7, further comprising:

receiving edits to a given data item displayed in the document; and

passing the edits to the given data item to the data file for persisting in an associated data range in the data file.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising passing the data edits across a link between an XML element associated with the edited data item to a corresponding data range in the data file.

12. A computer-readable medium having stored thereon computer-executable instructions which when executed by a computer perform a method for managing markup structure and associated data in a computer-generated document, comprising:

applying Extensible Markup Language (XML) elements to a document;

generating an XML structure file for containing the XML elements applied to the document;

generating a data file for storing data entered into the document;

establishing a link from a given XML element contained in the XML structure file to a corresponding data range contained in the data file; and

upon launching the document, merging data contained in the data file with linked XML elements contained in the XML structure file for displaying the data contained in the data file in the document according to the XML elements applied to the document.

13. The computer-readable medium of claim 12, further comprising providing an electronic file container for containing the XML structure file and the data file.

14. The computer-readable medium of claim 13, whereby upon selection of the electronic file container, providing access to each of the XML structure file and the data file.

15. The computer-readable medium of claim 13, further comprising allowing access to the XML structure file independent of the data file for editing the XML elements applied to the document.

16. The computer-readable medium of claim 15, further comprising allowing access to the data file independent of the XML structure file for editing data contained in the data file.

17. The computer-readable medium of claim 12, further comprising:

receiving edits to a given data item displayed in the document; and

passing the edits to the given data item to the data file for persisting in an associated data range in the data file.

18. The computer-readable medium of claim 17, further comprising passing the data edits across a link between an XML element associated with the edited data item to a corresponding data range in the data file.

19. The computer-readable medium of claim 12, whereby establishing a link from a given XML element contained in the XML structure file to a corresponding data range contained in the data file includes establishing an XPath from each XML element contained in the XML structure file that is linked to a corresponding data range contained in the data file.

20. The computer-readable medium of claim 12, whereby one or more XML elements contained in the XML structure file are not linked to associated data ranges contained in the data file.