Text sizer (TM)
First Claim
1. A method and system for changing the length of a body of text, comprising:
- selection of a first text segment, wherein this first text segment is in a body of text;
automated identification of one or more alternative text segments, wherein each of these alternative text segments may be substituted for the first text segment in the body of text without causing a grammatical error;
selection of a second text segment from among the alternative text segments, wherein the second text segment has a different length than the first text segment; and
substitution of the second text segment for the first text segment in the body of text in order to decrease or increase the length of the body of text.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
This invention called Text Sizer ™ is an innovative method and system for changing the length of a body of text. It may be embodied in the following steps. First, a first text segment may be selected in a body of text. Second, alternative text segments are automatically identified, wherein each alternative text segment may be substituted for the first text segment in the body of text without causing a grammatical error. Third, a second text segment with a length that is different than the length of the first text segment is selected from among the alternative text segments. Finally, the second text segment is substituted for the first text segment in the body of text. This method has many applications. One might wish to reduce the length of a body of text so that it fits within a constrained space. For example, a report or proposal may have page limits. Alternatively, one might wish to expand the length of selected portion of a body of text. For example, one might wish to elaborate or include additional information on topics covered in a particular segment of text. Text Sizer ™ provides users with this capability.
107 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method and system for changing the length of a body of text, comprising:
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selection of a first text segment, wherein this first text segment is in a body of text; automated identification of one or more alternative text segments, wherein each of these alternative text segments may be substituted for the first text segment in the body of text without causing a grammatical error; selection of a second text segment from among the alternative text segments, wherein the second text segment has a different length than the first text segment; and substitution of the second text segment for the first text segment in the body of text in order to decrease or increase the length of the body of text. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method and system for changing the length of a body of text, comprising:
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selection of a first text segment, wherein this first text segment is in a body of text, and wherein selection of this first text segment is done by the user or done in an automated manner; automated identification of one or more alternative text segments; wherein each of these alternative text segments may be substituted for the first text segment in the body of text without causing a grammatical error; wherein the lengths of these alternative text segments are defined by one or more metrics selected from the group consisting of;
number of character spaces;
number of characters;
number of words;
number of phrases;
number of sentences;
number of paragraphs; and
number of pages;wherein alternative text segments that are shorter than the first text segment are identified in order to decrease the length of the body of text or wherein alternative text segments that are longer than the first text segment are identified in order to increase the length of the body of text; and wherein only alternative text segments that do not significantly change the meaning of the body of text when substituted for a first text segment are included in the alternative text segments or wherein alternative text segments that may change the meaning of the body of text when substituted for a first text segment are included among the alternative text segments; selection of a second text segment from among the alternative text segments; wherein the second text segment has a different length than the first text segment; wherein (1) the second text segment is selected by a user from among alternative text segments that are provided to the user, and wherein these alternative text segments are sorted in order of their length or are otherwise provided in a manner that helps the user to consider their relative lengths when making a selection from among them or (2) the second text segment is selected in an automated manner that is at least partially based on text segment length; and substitution of the second text segment for the first text segment in the body of text in order to decrease or increase the length of the body of text. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method and system for changing the length of a body of text, comprising:
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selection of a first text segment, wherein this first text segment is in a body of text, and wherein selection of this first text segment is done by the user or done in an automated manner; automated identification of one or more alternative text segments; wherein each of these alternative text segments may be substituted for the first text segment in the body of text without causing a grammatical error; wherein the lengths of these alternative text segments are defined by one or more metrics selected from the group consisting of;
number of character spaces;
number of characters;
number of words;
number of phrases;
number of sentences;
number of paragraphs; and
number of pages;wherein alternative text segments that are shorter than the first text segment are identified in order to decrease the length of the body of text or wherein alternative text segments that are longer than the first text segment are identified in order to increase the length of the body of text; wherein only alternative text segments that do not significantly change the meaning of the body of text when substituted for a first text segment are included in the alternative text segments or wherein alternative text segments that may change the meaning of the body of text when substituted for a first text segment are included among the alternative text segments; and wherein identification of alternative text segments is based on one or more methods selected from the group consisting of;
using a database comprised of sets of substitutable text segments;
using common word patterns or associations observed in a large collection of text-based sources; and
using a natural language generator;selection of a second text segment from among the alternative text segments; wherein the second text segment has a different length than the first text segment; wherein (1) the second text segment is selected by a user from among alternative text segments that are provided to the user, and wherein these alternative text segments are sorted in order of their length or are otherwise provided in a manner that helps the user to consider their relative lengths when making a selection from among them or (2) the second text segment is selected in an automated manner that is at least partially based on text segment length; and substitution of the second text segment for the first text segment in the body of text in order to decrease or increase the length of the body of text. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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Specification