Multi-level list detection engine

摘要

A multi-level list detection engine. The multi-level list detection engine detects text obtained from a fixed format document that is formatted as a static multi-level list and creates a dynamic multi-level list object in a flow format document. The resulting dynamic multi-level list object automatically updates as the end user edits the multi-level list in the flow format document. The multi-level list detection engine identifies list elements in the fixed format text based on the presence of a list identifier. The list elements are grouped into lists based on the properties of each list element relative to other list elements. List elements are then assigned to a list level based on the relative properties of the list elements within a list. Finally, level list assignments are verified and corrected, the levels are merged, as necessary, and the lists are consistently formatted as appropriate to create a final well-formed dynamic multi-level list object.

主权项

1. A method of converting a fixed format document into a flow format document including one or more multi-level lists that dynamically update when edited by an end user, said method comprising:
identifying each text object in a collection of text objects that begins with a list identifier as a list element, said text objects derived from said fixed format document; creating a new list when said list element and a previous list element in said list do not have selected properties that are substantially similar; adding said list element to an existing list when said list element and said previous list element in said list have said selected properties that are substantially similar; assigning said list element to a list level based on said selected properties; determining a list level format for each said list level based on common properties of list elements belonging to said list level; determining a list format from each said list level format; and merging list levels with common numbering schemes, including merging a lower list level having a first numbering scheme with a higher list level having a second numbering scheme when said first numbering scheme and said second numbering scheme use the same list format and said first numbering scheme and said second numbering scheme begin with a same list identifier.