Formatting text/graphics using plural independent formatting mechanisms

The machine-implemented method of composing text and graphics to a plurality of pages for presenting information in a predetermined format, including the machine-executable steps of:

• receiving a stream of sequential text/graphics representing digital signals (hereafter text/graphics signals) having embedded control words defining composing functions to be performed, in response to said embedded control words:
• dividing each page into a plurality of mutually-exclusive-vertically-separate portions, making each such portion a mutually-exclusive text/graphics-receiving vertical portion of each page;
• establishing a plurality of first named areas for having text/graphics placeable anywhere on each page independently of said portions and having a location on the page specific to each such first named area and with each named area being capable of receiving text/graphics signals independently of said portions, each such first named area being capable of receiving an indeterminate extent of said text/graphics signals,
• assigning a predetermined text/graphics extent from any one of said first named areas to any one of the pages being composed;
• while composing predetermined ones of said pages using said portions (1) selectively interleaving formatting said received text/graphics signals to predetermined ones of said first named areas independently of said portions;
• and (2) determining that a page being composed is to receive text/graphics signals from said first named areas;
• in response to said determination, scanning all of said first named areas and then placing text/graphics signals composed to any of said first named areas on said page up to said predetermined extent for each respective first named areas;
• ejecting the page of formatted text/graphics signals for conversion to a visual presentation;
• and
• starting a new page to be composed and repeating all of the above recited steps until all text/graphics signals have been formatted to a plurality of such pages.

A computerized composer comprising input means for supplying a sequence of unformatted text/graphics signals with embedded control words which indicate desired composition parameters and composing functions to be performed by a computerized composer, computer means coupled to the input means for receiving said sequence of text/graphics signals and embedded control words for responding to said embedded control words to compose a document based upon the sequence of said text/graphics signals for generating a second sequence of text/graphics signals which are arranged with pagination indications of logical page extents and other composed-page indicating signals for enabling a visual presentation device to present information represented by such text/graphics signals, output means coupled to the computer means for receiving said composed text/graphics signals for visually presenting the composed document;

• said computer means having storage means and program indicia for constituting a composing page formatter for enabling the computer means to respond to said received unformatted text/graphics signals in accordance with said embedded control words as follows;
• first indicia in said computer means for enabling the computer means to receive said unformatted text/graphics signals and analyze said embedded control words;
• second indicia in said computer means for enabling the computer means to couple to said first indicia and to format said unformatted received text/graphics signals in sequence as received including paginating pages in accordance with assignment of text/graphics signals that fill page extents;
• third indicia in said computer means for enabling the computer means to respond to named area embedded control words received via said first indicia enablement of the computer means to divert named area indicated ones of the received unformatted text/graphics signals for storage separate from said page formatted text/graphics signals but formatted by said first indicia enablement of the computer means;
• and
• fourth indicia in said computer means for enabling the computer means to respond to said received text/graphics signals and to the embedded control words for selectively placing said diverted text/graphics signals to a said logical page independently of where in the unformatted received text/graphics signals such diverted text/graphics signals were received.

The machine-implemented method of composing text and graphics to a plurality of pages for presenting information in a predetermined formatted form, including the machine-executable steps of:

• receiving a stream of text/graphics having embedded control words defining composing functions to be performed;
• in response to said embedded control words:
• dividing each page into a body portion, top formattable portions, and bottom formattable portions, each such portion being a mutually-exclusive text/graphics-receiving vertical portion of each page;
• dividing said body portion into a plurality of horizontally-extending, mutually-exclusive, vertically displaced sections;
• establishing a plurality of first named areas placeable anywhere on each page independently of said portions and sections with each named area being capable of receiving text/graphics independently of said portions and sections, each such named area capable of receiving an indeterminate extent of text/graphics, assigning a predetermined text/graphics extent from any predetermined ones of said first named areas to any one of the pages being composed;
• establishing a plurality of second named areas placeable within predetermined ones of said sections and each such second named area being capable of receiving an indeterminate extent of text/graphics, assigning a predetermined text/graphics extent from each one of said second named areas to any one of said sections;
• while composing predetermined ones of said pages being composed when using said portions, selectively interleaving formatting predetermined ones of said first and second named areas independently of said portions using said portions formatting;
• while composing certain of said pages being composed by using said portions including some of said predetermined one pages, responding to an AREA PUT control word to end a first section being composed in said body portion so that said first section is a previous section and then scanning said second named areas for text/graphics to be composed to said page in a second section of the body portion, assigning a vertical depth to said second section equal to a maximum vertical depth in a one of said second named areas having text/graphics composed therein into said second section up to said maximum vertical depth and saving any remaining text/graphics from said second named areas for sections yet to be composed;
• determining that a page being composed is to be ended (EOP);
• in response to said EOP, scanning all of said first named areas and then placing text/graphics composed to any of said first named areas on said page up to said predetermined extent for each respective first named areas;
• ejecting the page for visual presentation;
• starting a new page to be composed;
• and
• repeating all of the above-recited steps until all text/graphics have been composed on a plurality of pages.

The method of operating an automatic page formatter having means to receive coded text digital signals and including means to receive formatting commands with said text signals and formatting means coupled to said receiving means for formatting a page of text using said received text signals and in accordance with said received formatting commands;

• the improvement including the following steps, in combination:
• receiving a first named area command by said formatting means for establishing a named area in like positions in a plurality of successive pages of text for receiving text independently of the remaining portions of the page of text having such named area;
• receiving a plurality of said commands and responding thereto for formatting text on successive ones of said pages of text independently of said named area;
• and
• receiving second named area commands and responding to said received second named area commands for moving a portion of text positioned on each of said pages and inserting same in the respective named area positioned on such page independently of said plurality of commands.

In a page composer, the combination of:

• a first text formatter for sequentially formatting and placing first text and graphics onto a succession of logical pages in accordance with first predetermined criteria;
• a second text formatter for sequentially formatting second text and graphics to a named area in accordance with second predetermined criteria;
• a page control coupled to the first and second text formatters for defining the ending of said logical pages;
• and
• text placement means coupled to said first and second text formatters and to said page control for selecting in accordance with third predetermined criteria predetermined portions of said named area formatted second text and graphics for placing such selected text and graphics into respective ones of said logical pages independently of said first text and graphics formatted and placed by said first text formatter whereby the first text formatter formats first text and graphics sequentially to said logical pages and said second text formatter and said text placement means format second text and graphics to said logical pages in a predetermined sequence independently of said first formatter and place such second text and graphics independently of said formatted and placed first text and graphics.