Pre-computing and encoding techniques for an electronic document to improve run-time processing

• US 7,814,408 B1
• Filed: 04/19/2000
• Issued: 10/12/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 04/19/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Lewis, Nathan, Hills, Jason, Dunietz, Jerry
• Primary Examiner(s): Basehoar; Adam L
• Application Number:
  US09/552,262
• Time in Patent Office: 3,828 Days
• Field of Search: 715/513, 715/501.1, 715/514, 715/205, 715/207, 715/208, 715/234, 715/239, 715/242, 715/255, 715/271
• US Class Current: 715/234
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 40/114 Pagination

Abstract

A markup language document, such as an e-book, having a general format is converted into a simplified hierarchy of linked files. During this process, the file is pre-computed and encoded to accelerate run-time search operations and to minimize the computational requirements for run-time parsing and other forms of processing. The resulting e-book content is organized in a simplified file format hierarchy. The e-book file format hierarchy includes a root directory containing all of the files for a particular e-book. The root directory contains a content subdirectory linked to the root directory. The content subdirectory has nested therein at least one linked content file providing content information relating to the electronic book. The content file is pre-computed and encoded to minimize run-time processing.

Claims

1. A method for encoding an electronic document having markup language content, wherein the document includes at least one tag and an associated content, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) separating the tag from the content with a separation variable;

(b) replacing the tag with an alias, wherein the alias is a pre-defined representation for the tag; and

(c) inserting at least one flag within the tag to form an encode tag structure, wherein a first encoded document is formed.

2. The method for encoding of claim 1, wherein the step of replacing includes the step of replacing at least one attribute type within the tag with an attribute alias, wherein the attribute alias is a predefined representation for the attribute type.

3. The method for encoding of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

(d) UTF-8 encoding the first encoded document to form a second encoded document.

4. The method for encoding of claim 3, further comprising the step of:

(e) compressing the second encoded document to form a compressed document.

5. The method for encoding of claim 1, wherein the step of inserting includes the step of inserting a position flag to indicate whether the tag is a start tag or an end tag.

6. The method for encoding of claim 1, wherein the step of inserting includes the step of inserting a word break flag between a left and right term of the associated content, whereby a word break may be readily identified during a run-time search operation.

7. The method for encoding of claim 1, wherein the step of inserting includes the step of inserting a no search flag in association with a portion of the content information, whereby a no search field may be readily identified and skipped during a run-time linear search.

8. The method for encoding of claim 1, further comprising the step of:

(d) replacing a URL within the content information with a reference string, whereby the file referenced by the URL may be readily accessed when selected during run-time.

9. A computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions for performing the steps recited in claim 1.

10. A method for pre-computing an electronic document having markup language content comprising the steps of:

(a) identifying a tag within a document associated with a portion of content;

(b) determining whether the portion is to be displayed for viewing by a reading device; and

(c) if the portion is not to be displayed for viewing, inserting a no search flag in association with the portion,

whereby a no search field may be readily identified and skipped during a run-time linear search.

11. A computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions for performing the steps recited in claim 10.

12. A method for pre-computing an electronic document having markup language content comprising the steps of:

(a) identifying a Uniform Resource Locator (URL) within a document;

(b) searching a manifest file for a file referenced by the URL; and

(c) if the file is identified in the manifest file with a reference string, replacing part of the URL with the reference string and a flag for the file,

whereby the file referenced by the URL may be readily accessed when selected during run-time.

13. A computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions for performing the steps recited in claim 12.