Document layout verification

• US 20070256010A1
• Filed: 04/26/2006
• Published: 11/01/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 04/26/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Bracis, Chloe, Winterowd, Matthew, Blackmon, Steve, Stern, Brian
• Granted Patent: US 7,756,333 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 40/106 Display of layout of documents; Previewing
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 40/226 Validation

Abstract

A test document is parsed into components which may include bounding boxes, segments, and points. Test code makes calls to properties and methods of components in order to verify document layout. Rather than take absolute measurements of component placement, components are evaluated relative to each other. Layout verification logic may be part of a larger software test system.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method for verifying a layout of a test document, the method comprising:

receiving the test document for layout verification, wherein the test document comprises a first component and a second component;

performing a relative comparison of a property of the first component with a corresponding property of the second component;

verifying that the relative comparison produces a preferred result; and

performing additional relative comparisons in order to verify the layout of the test document.

2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein performing a relative comparison comprises comparing the property of the first component with corresponding properties of the second component and of a third component included in the test document.

3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the first and second components comprise one of a drawing item, a text block, and an image.

4. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein:

performing the relative comparison includes comparing relative locations of a point on the first component to a corresponding point on the second component; and

the preferred result includes the point and the corresponding point being situated approximately along the same coordinate axis.

5. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein:

performing the relative comparison includes comparing relative locations of a point on the first component to a corresponding point on the second component; and

the preferred result includes the point and the corresponding point being situated approximately along a line having a specified slope value.

6. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein:

performing the relative comparison includes comparing relative locations of a point on the first component to a corresponding point on the second component; and

the preferred result includes the point and the corresponding point being situated approximately along the same axis within a supplied deviation distance.

7. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein:

the first component and the second component comprise bounding boxes.

8. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein:

the first component and the second component comprise segments.

9. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein:

the first component and the second component comprise points.

10. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising:

executing a software application in a test environment, wherein the software application produces the test document; and

storing the test document in memory.

11. A system for verifying a layout of a test document, wherein the system comprises:

a processor;

a memory, storing instructions executable by the processor, wherein the instructions comprise;

executing a software application within a test environment;

modifying a test document in the course of executing the software application;

storing the test document;

parsing the components of the test document;

executing test code to verify the layout of the test document;

performing a relative comparison of a first component to a second component; and

verifying that the comparison produces a favorable result.

12. The system of claim 11, further comprising:

a network interface, wherein the network interface enables communication between the processor and a remote computer;

receiving the test code from the remote computer; and

sending results of verifying the layout of the test document to the remote computer.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein performing a relative comparison includes comparing a first point on the first component with a second point on the second component.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein performing a relative comparison further includes comparing the first point on the first component to a third point on a third component.

15. The system of claim 13, wherein performing a relative comparison further includes determining whether the first, second, and third points are colinear.

16. The system of claim 11, wherein:

the first component and the second component comprise bounding boxes.

17. The system of claim 11, wherein:

the first component and the second component comprise segments.

18. The system of claim 11, wherein:

the first component and the second component comprise points.

19. A method for verifying a layout of a test document in a software test environment, the method comprising:

receiving test code from a remote computer; and

under control of the test code;

executing a software application,

storing a test document modified by the software application,

parsing the components of the test document into a plurality of instances of component classes,

performing relative comparisons of components to each other,

verifying the layout of the test document when the relative comparisons produce preferred results, and

notifying the remote computer that the layout of the test document is verified.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising:

parsing a component of the test document into an instance at least one of a bounding box class, a segment class, and a point class; and

utilizing a method associated with the instance to perform a relative comparison.