Text sizer (TM)
This invention called Text Sizer ™ is an innovative method and system for changing the length of a body of text. It may be embodied in the following steps. First, a first text segment may be selected in a body of text. Second, alternative text segments are automatically identified, wherein each alternative text segment may be substituted for the first text segment in the body of text without causing a grammatical error. Third, a second text segment with a length that is different than the length of the first text segment is selected from among the alternative text segments. Finally, the second text segment is substituted for the first text segment in the body of text. This method has many applications. One might wish to reduce the length of a body of text so that it fits within a constrained space. For example, a report or proposal may have page limits. Alternatively, one might wish to expand the length of selected portion of a body of text. For example, one might wish to elaborate or include additional information on topics covered in a particular segment of text. Text Sizer ™ provides users with this capability.
1 . A method and system for changing the length of a body of text, comprising:
selection of a first text segment, wherein this first text segment is in a body of text;
automated identification of one or more alternative text segments, wherein each of these alternative text segments may be substituted for the first text segment in the body of text without causing a grammatical error;
selection of a second text segment from among the alternative text segments, wherein the second text segment has a different length than the first text segment; and
substitution of the second text segment for the first text segment in the body of text in order to decrease or increase the length of the body of text.
2 . The method and system in claim 1 wherein selection of the first text segment is done using a method selected from the group consisting of: selection of the first text segment by a user; and selection of the first text segment in an automated manner.
3 . The method and system in claim 1 wherein the definition of length is selected from one or more metrics in the group consisting of: number of character spaces; number of characters; number of words; number of phrases; number of sentences; number of paragraphs; and number of pages.
4 . The method and system in claim 1 wherein: alternative text segments that are shorter than the first text segment are identified in order to decrease the length of the body of text; or alternative text segments that are longer than the first text segment are identified in order to increase the length of the body of text.
5 . The method and system in claim 1 wherein the user indicates whether they want to decrease or increase the length of the body of text and wherein alternative text segments that are shorter or longer, respectively, than the first text segment are identified based on this user indication.
6 . The method and system in claim 1 wherein: only alternative text segments that do not significantly change the meaning of the body of text when substituted for the first text segment are included in the alternative text segments; or alternative text segments that may change the meaning of the body of text when substituted for the first text segment are included among the alternative text segments.
7 . The method and system in claim 1 wherein the user indicates whether they do, or do not, want to allow alternative text segments that may change the meaning of the body of text and wherein identification of alternative text segments complies with this user indication.
8 . The method and system in claim 1 wherein identification of alternative text segments is based on one or more methods selected from the group consisting of: using a database comprised of sets of substitutable text segments; using common word patterns or associations observed in a large collection of text-based sources; and using a natural language generator.
9 . The method and system in claim 1 wherein identification of alternative text segments: may be done for the first text segment as a whole; or may be done by parsing the first text segment into phrases, identifying possible alternatives for each of the phrases individually, and then combining the alternative phrases into various alternatives for the first text segment as a whole.
10 . The method and system in claim 1 wherein “second-order substitution” is substitution within a text segment that is itself already a substitution into the body of text and wherein second-order text segment substitution is, or is not, allowed.
11 . The method and system in claim 1 wherein the second text segment is selected by a user from among alternative text segments that are provided to the user, and wherein these alternative text segments are sorted in order of their length or are otherwise provided in a manner that helps the user to consider their relative lengths when making a selection from among them.
12 . The method and system in claim 1 wherein the second text segment is selected in an automated manner that is at least partially based on text segment length.
13 . A method and system for changing the length of a body of text, comprising:
selection of a first text segment,
wherein this first text segment is in a body of text, and
wherein selection of this first text segment is done by the user or done in an automated manner;
automated identification of one or more alternative text segments:
wherein each of these alternative text segments may be substituted for the first text segment in the body of text without causing a grammatical error;
wherein the lengths of these alternative text segments are defined by one or more metrics selected from the group consisting of: number of character spaces; number of characters; number of words; number of phrases; number of sentences; number of paragraphs; and number of pages;
wherein alternative text segments that are shorter than the first text segment are identified in order to decrease the length of the body of text or wherein alternative text segments that are longer than the first text segment are identified in order to increase the length of the body of text; and
wherein only alternative text segments that do not significantly change the meaning of the body of text when substituted for a first text segment are included in the alternative text segments or wherein alternative text segments that may change the meaning of the body of text when substituted for a first text segment are included among the alternative text segments;
selection of a second text segment from among the alternative text segments:
wherein the second text segment has a different length than the first text segment;
wherein (1) the second text segment is selected by a user from among alternative text segments that are provided to the user, and wherein these alternative text segments are sorted in order of their length or are otherwise provided in a manner that helps the user to consider their relative lengths when making a selection from among them or (2) the second text segment is selected in an automated manner that is at least partially based on text segment length;
and substitution of the second text segment for the first text segment in the body of text in order to decrease or increase the length of the body of text.
14 . The method and system in claim 13 wherein the user indicates whether they want to decrease or increase the length of the body of text and wherein alternative text segments that are shorter or longer, respectively, than the first text segment are identified based on this user indication.
15 . The method and system in claim 13 wherein the user indicates whether they do, or do not, want to allow alternative text segments that may change the meaning of the body of text and wherein identification of alternative text segments complies with this user indication.
16 . The method and system in claim 13 wherein identification of alternative text segments is based on one or more methods selected from the group consisting of: using a database comprised of sets of substitutable text segments; using common word patterns or associations observed in a large collection of text-based sources; and using a natural language generator.
17 . The method and system in claim 13 wherein identification of alternative text segments: may be done for the first text segment as a whole; or may be done by parsing the first text segment into phrases, identifying possible alternatives for each of the phrases individually, and then combining the alternative phrases into various alternatives for the first text segment as a whole.
18 . The method and system in claim 13 wherein “second-order substitution” is substitution within a text segment that is itself already a substitution into the body of text and wherein second-order text segment substitution is, or is not, allowed.
19 . A method and system for changing the length of a body of text, comprising:
selection of a first text segment,
wherein this first text segment is in a body of text, and
wherein selection of this first text segment is done by the user or done in an automated manner;
automated identification of one or more alternative text segments:
wherein each of these alternative text segments may be substituted for the first text segment in the body of text without causing a grammatical error;
wherein the lengths of these alternative text segments are defined by one or more metrics selected from the group consisting of: number of character spaces; number of characters; number of words; number of phrases; number of sentences; number of paragraphs; and number of pages;
wherein alternative text segments that are shorter than the first text segment are identified in order to decrease the length of the body of text or wherein alternative text segments that are longer than the first text segment are identified in order to increase the length of the body of text;
wherein only alternative text segments that do not significantly change the meaning of the body of text when substituted for a first text segment are included in the alternative text segments or wherein alternative text segments that may change the meaning of the body of text when substituted for a first text segment are included among the alternative text segments; and
wherein identification of alternative text segments is based on one or more methods selected from the group consisting of: using a database comprised of sets of substitutable text segments; using common word patterns or associations observed in a large collection of text-based sources; and using a natural language generator;
selection of a second text segment from among the alternative text segments:
wherein the second text segment has a different length than the first text segment;
wherein (1) the second text segment is selected by a user from among alternative text segments that are provided to the user, and wherein these alternative text segments are sorted in order of their length or are otherwise provided in a manner that helps the user to consider their relative lengths when making a selection from among them or (2) the second text segment is selected in an automated manner that is at least partially based on text segment length; and
substitution of the second text segment for the first text segment in the body of text in order to decrease or increase the length of the body of text.
20 . The method and system in claim 19 wherein identification of alternative text segments: may be done for the first text segment as a whole; or may be done by parsing the first text segment into phrases, identifying possible alternatives for each of the phrases individually, and then combining the alternative phrases into various alternatives for the first text segment as a whole.