Abstract: What is disclosed is a system and method for specifying a custom document as a constraint satisfaction problem (CSP) to create the specified document using existing constraint solving algorithms wherein the document, its content components, and its layout requirements as elements of a constraint satisfaction problem which when solved, results in an automated document layout for the set of content components. This enables an easier (i.e., automated) custom document creation process while providing a wider array of output documents.

Abstract: What is disclosed is a system and method to generate a style sheet comprising the steps of first determining a set of layout constraints such as design criteria to act as ‘soft’ constraints or could additionally include the requirements of a particular output device. Alternatively, the constraints could be explicitly specified or expressed as properties of a good layout design. Next, the present method has the step of representing the style properties of the document as problem variables. These variables could advantageously include font, text line, or color properties in addition to positioning properties including graphical style. Then, solving the constraint problem and outputting the generated style properties in the form of a style sheet wherein the style sheet is a Cascaded Style Sheet (CSS) or an Extensible Style Language (XSL) specification.

Abstract: What is disclosed is a system and method for method for fitness evaluation to be used with a directly calculated or iterative optimization method for automatic document assembly. The method for fitness evaluation includes the steps of first capturing the creator's desire as a set of relative weights to be applied to an intent vector. Then, calculating for each candidate document assembly a set of value-property functions that evaluate properties considered to be factors in a good design (e.g., the balance of the document component on the page). Next, an inferred intent vector needs to be determined for each candidate document assembly as a function of the calculated value property function. Note that if the inferred intent vector is determined by a matrix multiplication applied to the vector of value property function results then the relative weights and intent definition matrix can be multiplied together to provide a weight vector that can be applied directly to the value properties.

Abstract: What is disclosed is a system and method for method for fitness evaluation to be used with a directly calculated or iterative optimization method for automatic document assembly. The method for fitness evaluation includes the steps of first capturing the creator's desire as a set of relative weights to be applied to an intent vector. Then, calculating for each candidate document assembly a set of value-property functions that evaluate properties considered to be factors in a good design (e.g., the balance of the document component on the page). Next, an inferred intent vector needs to be determined for each candidate document assembly as a function of the calculated value property function. Note that if the inferred intent vector is determined by a matrix multiplication applied to the vector of value property function results then the relative weights and intent definition matrix can be multiplied together to provide a weight vector that can be applied directly to the value properties.

Abstract: What is disclosed is a system and method for specifying a custom document as a constraint satisfaction problem (CSP) to create the specified document using existing constraint solving algorithms wherein the document, its content components, and its layout requirements as elements of a constraint satisfaction problem which when solved, results in an automated document layout for the set of content components. This enables an easier (i.e., automated) custom document creation process while providing a wider array of output documents.

Abstract: What is disclosed is a case-based method which specifies previously created documents as cases in a case base, and provides a generalized method for using these previous documents to create a new desired document. The new problem (i.e., the document you are trying to create) is expressed, using any/all case features (e.g., new problem constraints, creator intent, document-genre, etc.). A matching process is performed in order to retrieve documents similar to the desired document from the case base. A selection process chooses one or several of the best matching cases as starting points for creating the new document. The retrieved document(s) are then adapted to create the new desired document. This new document is optionally stored back into the case base as a new case.

Abstract: What is disclosed is a system and method for specifying a custom document as a multi-criteria constraint optimization problem, and a method to automatically create the specified document using existing constraint optimization solving algorithms. The present method specifies the document, its content components, its layout requirements, and its desired aesthetic criteria are expressed as elements of a constraint optimization problem which when solved, results in an automated document layout for the set of content components that satisfies not only certain primitive content and layout constraints, but which also advantageously fulfills desired design properties and which provides a way to ensure that the generated document is well designed.

Abstract: What is disclosed is a case-based method which specifies previously created documents as cases in a case base, and provides a generalized method for using these previous documents to create a new desired document. The new problem (i.e., the document you are trying to create) is expressed, using any/all case features (e.g., new problem constraints, creator intent, document-genre, etc.). A matching process is performed in order to retrieve documents similar to the desired document from the case base. A selection process chooses one or several of the best matching cases as starting points for creating the new document. The retrieved document(s) are then adapted to create the new desired document. This new document is optionally stored back into the case base as a new case.

Abstract: What is disclosed is a system and method for specifying a custom document as a multi-criteria constraint optimization problem, and a method to automatically create the specified document using existing constraint optimization solving algorithms. The present method specifies the document, its content components, its layout requirements, and its desired aesthetic criteria are expressed as elements of a constraint optimization problem which when solved, results in an automated document layout for the set of content components that satisfies not only certain primitive content and layout constraints, but which also advantageously fulfills desired design properties and which provides a way to ensure that the generated document is well designed.

Abstract: A scheduler for a machine includes a monitor and a selector. The monitor is used to detect an operation of the machine, the operation of the machine being at least one of a machine state, a machine performance and an environment. The selector is used to either add a selection policy from a library to a list of selection policies or to delete a selection policy from the list of selection policies in response to the detected operation. The selector includes logic to select the monitor from the library based on a model of the machine. The selector may include further logic to select monitor policies from the library, the monitor detecting the operation of the machine based on the selected monitor policies. The model of the machine includes dynamically varying information responsive to the operation detected by the monitor. The scheduler also includes a traverser to select an itinerary based on the list of selection policies.