Method and apparatus for multistage document format transformation in a data processing system
First Claim
1. A method in a data processing system having multiple object types therein and including multiple object type transformation applications for determining an optimal multistage transformation from a first selected object type to a second selected object type, said method comprising the steps of:
- identifying each object type within said data processing system;
assigning each identified object type to an associated node within an object type network;
determining an expenditure cost associated with each of said multiple object type transformation applications;
associating each determined expenditure cost with a link between two selected nodes within said object type network; and
determining an optimal path through said object type network from a node associated with said first selected object type to a node associated with said second selected object type by means of links having minimal expenditure cost associated therewith.
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for determining an optimal multistage transformation from a first document format to a second document format via multiple format type transformation applications. Each document format type within a data processing system is identified and associated with a node within a format type network. An expenditure cost associated with each format type transformation application, such as time cost or information loss cost, is identified and associated with a link between two associated nodes in the format type network. An optimal path from a first node within the format type network to a second node is then calculated by means of links having minimal expenditure cost associated therewith. In one depicted embodiment of the present invention an optimal path from a selected node to all other nodes within the format type network is calculated and utilized for all future desired transformations.
145 Citations
8 Claims
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1. A method in a data processing system having multiple object types therein and including multiple object type transformation applications for determining an optimal multistage transformation from a first selected object type to a second selected object type, said method comprising the steps of:
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identifying each object type within said data processing system; assigning each identified object type to an associated node within an object type network; determining an expenditure cost associated with each of said multiple object type transformation applications; associating each determined expenditure cost with a link between two selected nodes within said object type network; and determining an optimal path through said object type network from a node associated with said first selected object type to a node associated with said second selected object type by means of links having minimal expenditure cost associated therewith. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A data processing system for determining an optimal multistage transformation from a first of a plurality of object types to a second of said plurality of object types via multiple object type transformation applications, said data processing system comprising:
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means for identifying each of said plurality of object types within said data processing system; means for assigning each identified object type to an associated node within an object type network; means for determining an expenditure cost associated with each of said multiple object type transformation applications; means for associating each determined expenditure cost with a link between two selected nodes within said object type network; and network analysis means for determining an optimal path through said object type network from a node associated with said first of said plurality of object types to a node associated with said second of said plurality of object types by means of links having minimal expenditure cost associated therewith. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8)
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Specification