Creating and editing documents using word history

Embodiments include methods, and computing systems, and computer program products for creating and editing documents. Aspects include creating a new document by a user using an interactive content manager system, and selecting one or more existing documents related to new document from a content database by user using a content source selection interface. Aspects also include performing content unit mining on the existing documents to extract a set of existing content units, and on the new document to extract a set of new content units, respectively, by a content unit mining and extraction module. Aspects further include comparing set of existing content units and the set of new content units to obtain a set of updated content units using a content unit comparison module, and updating the new document using the set of updated content units by the user using an interactive content manager module.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates generally to creating and editing documents, and more particularly to methods and systems for creating and editing documents using word history.

Rapidly creating accurate, relevant, and timely new technical information needed to describe, teach, and support new complex systems, such as new computer systems, can be a daunting challenge. Composing, editing, and producing what can be lengthy written material has always required time-consuming manual work to find and correct mistakes and duplication, ensure the completeness and accuracy of content, and to identify and add new and missing content.

Writing and publishing tools such as spelling, grammar, and plagiarism-identification checking have improved the productivity of reviewers, but more is needed, especially for more rapid analysis of complex documents where terminology and acronyms may not be incorporated into dictionaries of industry standard checking tools. Terms such as LAN, SAN, AIX, PHYPE, or PCI might be readily recognized by computer system users, but would unnecessarily be flagged as misspelled words.

Usually, a new document for a new product is generated based on certain related existing documents. The new product may include certain new features and may exclude some obsolete features, and a document creator needs a list of terms or words that highlight content changes between the existing documents and the new document.

Therefore, heretofore unaddressed needs still exist in the art to address the aforementioned deficiencies and inadequacies.

SUMMARY

In an embodiment of the present invention, a method of creating and editing documents include creating a new document by a user using an interactive content manager system, and selecting one or more existing documents related to the new document from a content database by the user using a content source selection interface. The method also includes performing content unit mining on each of the one or more existing documents to extract a set of existing content units and the new document to extract a set of new content units, respectively, by a content unit mining and extraction module. The method further includes comparing the set of existing content units and the set of new content units to obtain a set of updated content units using a content unit comparison module and updating the new document using the set of updated content units by the user using an interactive content manager module.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a computing system for creating and editing documents includes a content database storing product documents, documents obtained through internet search engines, and problem records, a content source selection interface configured to enable a user to select one or more existing documents from the content database, a memory storing computer executable instructions for the computing system, and a processor for executing the computer-executable instructions. When the computer executable instructions are executed by the processor, the computer-executable instructions cause the processor to create a new document by a user using an interactive content manager system, and select one or more existing documents related to the new document from the content database by the user using a content source selection interface. The computer-executable instructions also cause the processor to perform content unit mining on each of the one or more existing documents to extract a set of existing content units, and the new document to extract a set of new content units, respectively, by a content unit mining and extraction module. The computer-executable instructions further cause the processor to compare the set of existing content units and the set of new content units to obtain a set of updated content units using a content unit comparison module, and update the new document using the set of updated content units by the user using an interactive content manager module.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the present disclosure relates to a non-transitory computer storage medium. In certain embodiments, the non-transitory computer storage medium stores computer executable instructions. When these computer executable instructions are executed by a processor of a computer, these computer executable instructions cause the processor to create a new document by a user using an interactive content manager system, and select one or more existing documents related to the new document from a content database by the user using a content source selection interface. These computer-executable instructions cause the processor to perform content unit mining on each of the one or more existing documents to extract a set of existing content units, and the new document to extract a set of new content units, respectively, by a content unit mining and extraction module. These computer executable instructions also cause the processor to compare the set of existing content units and the set of new content units to obtain a set of updated content units using a content unit comparison module, and update the new document using the set of updated content units by the user using an interactive content manager module.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The terms used in this specification generally have their ordinary meanings in the art, within the context of the disclosure, and in the specific context where each term is used. Certain terms that are used to describe the disclosure are discussed below, or elsewhere in the specification, to provide additional guidance to the practitioner regarding the description of the disclosure. It will be appreciated that the same thing can be said in more than one way. Consequently, alternative language and synonyms may be used for any one or more of the terms discussed herein, nor is any special significance to be placed upon whether or not a term is elaborated or discussed herein. The use of examples anywhere in this specification including examples of any terms discussed herein is illustrative only, and in no way limits the scope and meaning of the disclosure or of any exemplified term. Likewise, the disclosure is not limited to various embodiments given in this specification.

As used herein, “plurality” means two or more. The terms “comprising,” “including,” “carrying,” “having,” “containing,” “involving,” and the like are to be understood to be open-ended, i.e., to mean including but not limited to.

Referring toFIG. 1, an embodiment of a computing system100for creating and editing a new written document using word history and implementing the teachings herein. In this embodiment, the computing system100has one or more processors101A,101B,101C, etc. (collectively or generically referred to as processor(s)101). In one embodiment, each processor101may include a reduced instruction set computer (RISC) microprocessor. Processors101are coupled to a system memory114and various other components via a system bus113. Read only memory (ROM)102is coupled to the system bus113and may include a basic input/output system (BIOS), which controls certain basic functions of the computing system100.

Thus, as configured inFIG. 1, the computing system100includes processing capability in the form of processors101, storage capability including the system memory114and mass storage104, input means such as the keyboard109and the mouse110, and the output capability including the one or more speakers111and display115. In one embodiment, a portion of the system memory114and mass storage104collectively store the operating system120to coordinate the functions of the various components shown inFIG. 1. In certain embodiments, the network116may include symmetric multiprocessing (SMP) bus, a Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus, local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), telecommunication network, wireless communication network, and the Internet.

Usually, a new document for a new product is generated based on certain related existing documents. The new product may include certain new features and may exclude some obsolete features, and a document creator needs a list of terms or words that highlight content changes between the existing documents and the new document such that the newly added features are covered by the new documents, and obsolete features are removed from the new document.

Going over an existing document is very tedious and time-consuming. It is desirable to find a way to highlight the technical features of the newly created product and cover all areas. In a written paragraph of a document, not every word is equally important. For example, an excerpt of the introduction of “IBM zEnterprise EC12 (zEC12)” recites: “New technologies for cloud, big data, analytics, mobile devices and social media are redefining the way that businesses will be operating on and IT must be transformed to support these technologies. The shift can offer the opportunity to assess and improve the business model and interaction with the customers, partners and employees. To capitalize on this opportunity, organizations must be able to tap into their data and energize applications without going over budget and all the while keeping everything protected and secure.” In this paragraph, words such as “cloud”, “big data”, “analytics”, “mobile devices” and “social media” are subject matter significant to cover in a related document, but words such as “for”, “and”, “the”, “that”, “to” and “these” are not as significant.

In certain embodiments, the present disclosure relates to a method to create and edit a new written document using word history. In certain embodiments, word history is represented by a content unit, which is defined as subject matter significant words such as a single letter, combination of letters, a number, a symbol, a subject matter word, an acronym, a subject matter phrase, a subject matter expression, a token, opcode, a system name, a subsystem name, device name, a components name, or any combination of above.

In an exemplary embodiment, the present invention relates to a computing system200for creating and editing a new written document using content units, as shown inFIGS. 2 and 3. The computing system200includes a content creation and management system220, and a content database216.

In certain embodiments, the content database216stores product documents210, documents obtained through internet search engines208, and problem records212. The product documents210may include product design documents, marketing materials about the product, user's manuals, technical support manuals, maintenance manuals, and other product related literature, and these documents are usually provided by the manufacturer of the product. The documents obtained through internet search engines208may include documents provided by third parties, component suppliers, and original-equipment-manufacturers (OEM) etc. These documents usually reside in websites of the third parties, the component suppliers, and the OEM suppliers. These documents are obtained through various search engines over the Internet202, such as Google, Yahoo, Baidu, Bing, and Sogou etc. The problem records212are very important resources for updating documents, and they reveal the shortcomings of existing documents and highlight the subject matter areas that require updates. In one embodiment, the problem records212may come from customers204directly. In another embodiment, the problem records212may come through technical support centers206. The problem records212may also come in various forms of customer feedbacks218. The customer feedbacks218may include email records/transactions2181from the customers. In one embodiment, the customer204may post one or more subject matter blogs2182describing some issues with the product, and sometimes with follow-up blog postings. In another embodiment, the customer204may post one or more twitts on Twitter2183describing some issues with the product while the issues exist, and sometimes with follow-up twitts interacting with other customers. In yet another embodiment, the customer204may post one or more subject matter posting on Facebook2184to discuss the issues with other customers. In certain embodiments, the customer204may also use many other social media websites218N and applications. The customer feedback218is not limited to the sources of information listed above. Certain software modules may be developed to crawl through the Internet202and retrieve related information based on certain content units or keywords.

In certain embodiments, the customer feedback218may require a large amount of editing. The content database216may also include documents from a content verification214, where the information and documents from the content verification214have been verified by the content verification214, thus, requiring much less editing.

In exemplary embodiments, the content creation and management system220may include a content source selection interface221, a content unit mining and extraction module224, a first file database225, a second file database226, a content comparison module227, and an interactive content manager module228. The content source selection interface221is used to allow a user to select an existing document222from the content database216. In one embodiment, the user uses the content source selection interface221to select a product document210from the content database216. In another embodiment, the user uses the content source selection interface221to select a document222obtained from searches over the Internet202. In yet another embodiment, the user uses the content source selection interface221to select a problem record212from customer feedback218. The interactive content manager module228may be used by the user to refine, enhance, correct and improve a new document223. In certain embodiments, the new document223may include at least one or more initial versions.

The content unit mining and extraction module224may be used to mine and extract content units from the existing document222and the new document223. Referring now toFIG. 4, a block diagram of the content unit mining and extraction module224of the content creation and management system220is shown according to certain embodiments of the present invention. The content unit mining and extraction module224receives an input document2242. The input document2242can be the existing document222, or the new document223. The input document2242forms an initial content unit collection. The content unit mining and extraction module224includes two additional information sources: a common dictionary words collection2241, and manually added content units2243. The common dictionary words collection2241is used to filter out certain words that are not subject matter significant such as the words: “for”, “and”, “the”, “that”, “to” and “these”. This information source2241usually is stable, once they are in the content unit collection, they do not require much maintenance. On the other hand, the content units2243are manually added as the new document223develops. For example, when a computer hardware added a new feature such as Wi-Fi support over the previous version, the user may added a content unit Wi-Fi manually into the content unit collection such that when the user updates the new document223, the content unit “Wi-Fi” becomes a reminder that Wi-Fi feature is to be added to the new document. On the other hand, when a computer hardware removed an old and obsolete feature such as floppy disk driver, the user may add a content unit “Floppy Disk Driver” manually into the content unit collection such that when the user updates the new document223, the content unit “Floppy Disk Driver” reminds the user to remove relevant portion of the description of Floppy Disk Driver from the existing document222to form the new document223.

Once the common dictionary words collection2241and manually added content units2243are added to the initial content unit collection, the content unit collection is sent to the content unit mining module to filter out the common dictionary words according to the common dictionary words collection2241. After the content unit mining, the content unit collection is further sent to the content unit extraction module2245to extract content units related to the input document. During the content unit extraction, repeated content units are purged. During or after the purge, data metadata may be collected and stored for word history analysis. The data metadata is useful to the user. For example, a count of how many times a specific content unit appears in the document may reflect the importance of this content unit. For example, the existing document222may include 200 content units of “cloud computing system”, only one is needed. Therefore, 199 content units of “cloud computing system” are removed from the content unit collection to further simplify the content unit collection. The manually added content units2243are added to the content unit collection. When the input document2242is the existing document222, the content unit collection forms a set of existing content units as the output of the content mining and extraction module224. When the input document2242is the new document223, the content unit collection forms a set of new content units as the output of the content mining and extraction module224.

In certain embodiments, the extracted existing content units are stored in the first file database225, and the extracted new content units are stored in the second file database226. The extracted existing content units in the first file database225and the extracted new content units in the second file database226are processed by the content comparison module227to obtain a set of updated content units. The set of updated content units highlights a skeleton of the significant differences between the existing document222and the new document223. The skeleton of the significant differences between the existing document222and the new document223is used as a guideline for the interactive content manager module to update and edit the new document.

In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to a method of creating and editing new written document using the content unit. The method may include creating a new document223by a user using an interactive content manager system228, and selecting an existing document222related to the new document223from a content database216by the user using a content source selection interface221. The method may also include: performing content unit mining on each of the existing document222to extract a set of existing content units, and on the new document223to extract a set of new content units, respectively, using a content unit mining and extraction module224. The method further includes comparing the set of existing content units and the set of new content units to obtain a set of updated content units using a content unit comparison module227and updating the new document223using the set of updated content units by the user using an interactive content manager module228.

In certain embodiments, the method may include receiving an input document2242by the content unit mining and extraction module224. The input document2242may be the existing document222or the new document223. The method may also include adding a set of additional content units2243to the input document2242to form a content unit collection, and removing a set of common words2241from the content unit collection by a content unit mining module2244. The set of common words2241includes common dictionary words used in the input document2242in a language of the input document. The input document2242may be in for example, but not limited to, English, French, German, or Chinese, and the common dictionary words for each language are vastly different. The method further includes refining the content unit collection by removing duplicated content units to form a set of existing content units when the input document is the existing document222, and a set of new content units when the input document is the new document223.

Referring now toFIG. 5, a flow chart of a method500for creating and editing the new written document using content units is shown according to certain embodiments of the present invention. The method500has two branches in parallel: block501through block509for processing an existing document222, and block511through block519for processing a new document223.

At the beginning in block511, a user creates the new document223using an interactive content manager system228. The new document223forms an initial new content unit collection. At block501, the user selects the existing document222that is related to the new document223from a content database216using a content source selection interface221. The existing document222forms an initial existing content unit collection.

At block503, the user may add an additional content resource to the initial existing content unit collection. At block513, the user can add an additional content resource to the initial new content unit collection. The additional content resource includes a set of common words2241and additional content units2243. The set of common words2241is used to remove common dictionary words from the existing content unit collection and the new content unit collection. The additional content units2243are added to the existing content unit collection and the new content unit collection manually by the user. At block505, the existing content unit collection is processed by the content unit mining and extraction module224to remove common dictionary words from the existing content unit collection according to the set of common words2241added to the existing content unit collection. At block515, the new content unit collection is processed by the content unit mining and extraction module224to remove common dictionary words from the new content unit collection according to the set of common words2241added to the new content unit collection.

At block507, the existing content unit collection is further processed by the content unit mining and extraction module224to extract content units from the existing content unit collection to form the output of the content unit mining and extraction module224for the existing content unit collection. At block517, the new content unit collection is further processed by the content unit mining and extraction module224to extract content units from the new content unit collection to form the output of the content unit mining and extraction module224for the new content unit collection. Repeated content units in the existing content unit collection and the new content unit collection are purged by a content unit extraction module2245of the content unit mining and extraction module224to simplify each of the existing content unit collection and the new content unit collection. At block509, the output of the content unit mining and extraction module224for the existing content unit collection is stored in the first file database225. At block519, the output of the content unit mining and extraction module224for the new content unit collection is stored in the second file database226.

At block520, the existing content unit collection from the first file database225, and the new content unit collection from the second file database226are compared by the content comparison module227to form a set of updated content units. This set of updated content units highlights a skeleton of the significant differences between the existing document222and the new document223. The skeleton of the significant differences between the existing document222and the new document223is used as a guideline for the interactive content manager module228to update and edit the new document223in the block522.