Footnote formatting.

Technical Field

0001This invention relates generally to footnoting documents, and more specifically to a method of, and system for, formatting footnotes for display, editing, and ultimate printing.

Background Art

0002Footnoting of a document such as a legal brief, book, manuscript, etc. is a well known technique of providing both uncluttered and smooth flowing information and thoughts, and background or supporting detail to a reader at different locations within the document. The smooth flowing information is the body text of a document, and the supporting detail is made up of footnote text. In constructing such a document, efficient management has always been as elusive skill. This was so when documents were handwritten, and still presents a significant economic and throughput burden today. This is so even with the availability of flexible keyboard/display word processing systems.

0003During,the handwritten document era, a footnote reference too low on a page often left insufficient room for an aesthetically pleasing, and well placed and proportioned, accompanying footnote or a portion thereof. The solution was to terminate . the page earlier than desired, about text against the bottom of the page and chance minsmanagement of the succeeding page, write smaller etc. In addition, yet another problem was present with footnothing documents. This problem was in the area of formatting footnotes for functional and aesthetic purposes. For example, from distinguishing one footnote from another, the ability of adding additional line spacing between footnotes, indenting the first line of each footnote, indenting footnotes text as a whole, indenting both the footnote designation and the first line of a footnote, providing body text/footnote separator lines, etc. With the previously mentioned problems already present, addressing formatting was readily overlooked.

0004Mismanagement and/or early termination, and the ability to efficiently handle a wide range of footnote formatting requirements remain major problems today. This is so even with the avaibility of modern word processing systems. The available approaches for an operator or author in preparing a footnoted document are for the most part undesirable? Excessive planning is probably the most common approach, and yet, multiple drafts, are the most common result. Partially filled pages, an excessive number of footnote references and footnotes appearing on different pages, an unappealing proportion mismatch of body and footnote text, and an excessive number of pages containing only footnotes remain major problems following planning and multiple drafts.

0005A number of the above mentioned problems have not gone unoticed, however. One system on the market today provides for footnote management upon printout. With this system, an operator can during setup, specify interparagraph spacing which in turn is applicable to footnotes. Following setup, the operator can prepare a footnoted document in one pass, but particular operator attention is required. During preparation, body text is keyed to a body text frame' up to a reference point, a footnote reference number is keyed, a footnote frame is called, a corresponding footnote number is keyed a paragraph spacing control is to be keyed if a desired interfootnote spacing is to be established, text for the footnote is keyed, and then the body text frame, is recalled. Body and footnote text are stored separately. The footnote text is stored in a footnote library for later recall. Following document preparation, there is an opportunity to separately review and edit the body and footnote text, but there is no opportunity to display review and edit an assembled document prior to printing. Further, a keyed spacing control can be viewed, but there is no opportunity to view the spacing between footnotes. That is, the first opportunity an operator has to view an assembled document is following printing. During printout, the system merges the body and footnote text. However, resulting aesthetics on occasion are less than desired. This is due in part to imposed system restraints such as a requirement that there be at least one line of body text on each page. In this case, large unprinted areas on numerous pages can occur. Resulting aesthetics can also be less than desired if the operator forgets from time to time to key spacing controls. This results in intermingled spaced an non-spaced.footnotes which are not acceptable from an appearance standpoint. Recovery from missing spacing controls with the referenced system is usually only following printing. Thereafter, the operator must scroll through the entire footnote library to pick up and correct all omissions. Following correction, another printing is required. Faced with these time consuming tasks and the inability of the referenced system to more efficiently manage formatting, the capability is usually ignored.

0006One assumed reason most present day systems have not been stuctured and/or programmed to efficiently handle even rather simple formatting desires is that the envisioned solutions would require programming and/or structure additions which would be prohibitive from a cost standpoint. With this in mind, any thoughts of providing flexibility in footnote formatting have quickly been abandoned.

0007The Jbove described capabilities of penmanship and word processing systems are prior art to the extent that a semblance of a desired end result is achievable. What has not been achievable though, is the flexibility to efficiently both meet author desires and manage footnote formatting tasks from input ot output. It is these deficiencies which cause the prior art to fall short of either anticipating or rendering the instant invention obvious. More specifically, the ability to automatically control footnote formatting with minimun setup and input keying efforts is lacking. Also lacking is the ability to globally change established formats.

Disclosure of the Invention

0008A unique method of, and system for, formatting footnotes is provided in order to reduce operator attention and errors, and meet author desires and needs. Prior to input of a document, a menu is presented to the operator for selecting and defining a desired footnote format. The operator has the flexibility of defining the format by specifying a separator line including the makeup therof, an indent level for both the footnote designations and the first line of each footnote, an indent level for the entire footnote, and an interfootnote spacing to be applied when more than one footnote is to appear on a page of the document. The parameters thus established will remain in effect until changed. A change in any one of these parameters will be global in nature and affect the entire document. Thereafter, body text is keyed up to a footnote reference point. During this body text keying, the text is displayed and editing is permitted. At the footnote reference point, a menu is called from which a footnote task is selected. This causes a display frame to be presented for keying the footnote. Editing of the footnote is also permitted. Following input of the footnote, the operator recalls the body text display frame for continued keying, and the footnote is stored away in a footnote library. Upon recall of the body text display frame, the system applies an appropriate footnote reference designation to the body text at the footnote reference point, and logs the location in the footnote library of the corresponding footnote. Following input keying of the body and footnote text, operator procedure calls for causing the system to assemble the body and footnote text. The assembly operation involves combined merge and pagination operations. Following assembly, the document can be display recalled on a page basis for review and editing. Thereafter, the document is ready to be printed.

0009During input of a footnote to the footnote frame, one set of the above-mentioned parameters is in effect, and during document assembly all specified parameters will be applied to the footnotes. That is, during input, specified indent levels will be in effect and applied to the keyed and displayed footnotes.

Brief Description of the Drawing

0010<ul id="ul0001" list-style="none"><li>Figure 1 is a pictorial representation of a newly created page of a footnoted document illustrating the page appearance prior to formatting and assembly.</li><li>Figure 2 is a pictorial representation of the page shown in figure 1 after body and footnote text have been formatted and assembled according to a standard set of body text formats and footnote formats.</li><li>Figure 3 is a pictorial representation of the page shown inf figure 1 after body and footnote text have been formatted and assembled according to a different set of body text formats and footnote formats.</li><li>Figure 4 is a pictorial representation of the page shown in figures 1 after body and footnote text have been formatted and assembled according to yet a different set of body text formats and footnote formats.</li><li>Fiqure 5 is a pictorial representation of the page shown inf figure 1 after body and footnote text have been formatted and assembled according to another set of body text formats and footnote formats.</li><li>Figure 6 is a pictorial representation of the page shown in figure 1 after body and footnote text have been formatted and assembled according to yet another set of body text formats and footnote formats.</li><li>Figure 7 is a pictorial representation of the page shown in figure 1 after body and footnote text have been formatted and assembled with yet a different set of body text formats and footnote formats.</li><li>Figure 8 is a block diagram showing a word processing system used for performing the invention of this application.</li><li>Figure 9 is a block diagram illustrating the makeup of the processor shown in figure 8.</li></ul>

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

General Description

0011For a general understanding of the invention, reference is first directed to figure 1. In this figure is illustrated one page which can be taken as the first page of any footnoted document. The solid lines represent body text and the dashed lines represent footnote text.

0012For purposes of the following explanation, it is to be noted that the Arabic numerals 1 and 2 in figure 1 are positionally located, half indexed up on the lines with which they appear. Figure 1 is a pictorial representation of a page of text that has been keyed containing two footnote references. The body text and the footnote text for the two footnote references has not yet been formatted and assembled for display or printing.

0013Associated with every document is a set of body text formats and a set of footnote formats. The operator has the choice of using a standard default set of formats or may, by pressing a control key, bring up set of menus to customize or alter the body text formats and/or footnote formats.

0014For example, body text may be formatted specifying left and right margins, maximum number of body text lines allowed on a page, spacing between lines, typestyle (including both font and pitch),. indent levels for paragraphs, etc.

0015Footnote text may be formatted specifying a length, if a separator line and the character to be used therein for separating body text and footnote text, typestyle (including both font and pitch), maximum number of footnote text lines allowed on a page,type of footnote numbering to be used, placement of the footnote within the document, an amount of spacing to be used betwwen each footnote, the indention of both the footnote number and the text that follows, etc.

0016Figure 2 is a pictorial representation of how the page in figure 1 will display and be printed after formating and assembly of the body text and footnote text. In figure 2, the footnote designations in the body text and the footnote text are positionally located, half indexed up on the lines with which they appear. The separator line is a short line of underscores. The footnote designation in the footnote text paragraph is indented to the ri.ght. In addition there is also one blank line separating the first and second footnotes.

0017Figure 3 is a pictorial representation of how the page in figure 2 will display and print after formatting and assembly of the body text and footnote text using a different set of formats. Note that the operator could have changed to this different set of formats before any formatting or assembly operation had been performed on the page or afterwards. In other words, the operator may at any time and after any number of formatting and assembly operations change to a different set of formats. The operator is not required to revise each page or each footnote of the document but merely recalls the formatting menus to alter the desired formats and causes a new formatting and assembly operation to take place. Figure 3 illustrates the appearance of the page with the footnote designations in the body text and the footnote text again positionally located, half indexed up on the lines with which they appear. Also, the separator line is again a short line of underscores. However, the body text is indented from the left margin, while the footnote text is not. In addition, the spacing between each footnote is zero. That is, there are n3 blank lines between each footnote.

0018Figure 4 is a pictorial representation of the page in yet another format. Here, the footnote text is indented, the body text is not indented, and the footnote designations are not half indexed up on the lines with which they appear. In addition, the fixed portion of the designations in the body text contain left and right parentheses surrounding the footnote numbers. The parentheses are the fixed portion of the designations and do not change from one footnote reference designation to another. The fixed portion of designations in the footnote text include an underscore and a slash. In addition, the separator line made up of. underscores is longer than in figures 2 and 3.

0019Figure 5 is a pictorial representation of the page in yet another format. It is identical to figure 4 except that a different fixed portion surrounds the footnote numbers which are the variable portion of the designation.

0020Figures 6 and 7 is a pictorial representation of the page in yet another formats. They are identical to figure 2 except that the separator line in figure 6 is a line of asterisks and in figure 7 has been suppressed.

Detailed Description

0021Refer next to FIG. 8. In this figure is shown a portion of a text processing system, including a processor 10 to which is connected a bus 12 leading from a keyboard 14. Character data generated by manual actuation of keys on keyboard 14 causes character related signals to be applied to processor 10. Processor 10 provides on an output memory bus 16 a data stream in which the characters selected by actuation of keyboard 14 appear suitably encoded.

0022Keyboard 14 is made up of a standard set of alpha/numeric graphic keys for keying characters, numbers, punctuation marks, and symbols, and also includes function and format control keys for causing and controlling a carriage return, indent tab, etc. In addition, the keyboard includes a second set of control keys for issuing special control commands to the system. These control keys are for controlling cursor movement, for setting the keyboard into a number of different modes, for use in conjunction with other keys for defining and controlling operations and other functions, etc.

0023Memory bus 16 extends to a memory unit 20 which is preferably a random access memory, to a display unit 22, to a diskette unit 24, and to a printer 25.

0024Included within memory unit 20 are two text storage buffers. One is a formatted footnote text storage buffer (TSB) 140 and the other a document TSB 240. The formatted footnote TSB 140 is used only by an assembly supervisor 100 when a limited footnote resolution algorithm is used to resolve and format footnotes at the bottom of a page. The document TSB 240 is used as a window into indefinite length text pages stored on a diskette readable by unit 24. Both assembly supervisor 100 and an editing supervisor 200 use the document TSB 240.

0025A footnote TSB control block 130 is linked to formatted footnote TSB 140 via a channel 132. A document TSB control block 230 is linked to document TSB 240 via a channel 232.

0026TSB manager 125 is linked by channels 124 and 224 to footnote TSB control block 130 and document TSB control block 230, . respectively.

0027TSB manager 125 is linked by channels 134 and 234 to formatted footnote TSB 140 and document TSB 240, respectively. Editing supervisor 200 is linked via channels 220 and 222 to TSB manager 125. Editing supervisor 200 contains keystroke processing routines which are invoked based on the key pressed on keyboard 14.

0028In operation of the system of FIG. 8, a body text encoded data stream apolied along memory bus 16 is stored in document TSB 240. In the process of correcting and editing the contents of the body text in document TSB 240, selected portions or lines of a page are presented to the operator on display unit 22.

0029In addition to editing the contents of the body text, editing supervisor 200 may also create and revise footnotes within document TSB 240 in order that footnotes of indefinite length can be supported.

0030A menu manager 202 is linked via channels 112 and 212 to assembly supervisor 100 and editing supervisor 200, respectively, and is used when a menu is to be displayed. Menu manager 202 is linked via channels 216 and 218 to a menu buffer 250.

0031Assembly supervisor 100 is linked to TSB manager 125 via channels 120 and 122. Assembly supervisor 100 provides control routines necessary to execute an assembly operation for paginating and merging body text stored in document TSB 240 with formatted footnote text stored either in formatted footnote TSB 140 (if all of the formatted footnote text for the body text page will fit) or on a diskette.

0032Assembly supervisor 100 is linked to a footnote control block 108 via channel 106. Footnote control block 108 is used to store status information during the assembly operation for resolving and formatting footnotes.

0033Assembly supervisor 100 is linked to a footnote reference buffer 110 via channels 102 and 104. Footnote reference buffer 110 contains pointers to diskette stored footnote text which has not yet been placed at the bottom of a page or at the end of the document during the assembly operation. Refer next to FIG. 9. In this figure are shown the details of processor 10 which is capable of performing the operations of this invention under program control. In practice, processor 10 includes an INTEL/ 8086 Microcomputer chip. Typical logic hardware elements forming processor 10 include a control logic unit 70 which responds to instructions from memory 20 on bus 16. The control logic unit 70 is also in the data stream identified by the data and address bus 82 interconnected to various other logic units of processor 10.

0034In response to instructions from random access memory 20, control logic unit 70 generates control signals to other logic elements of processor 10. These control signals are interconnected to the various elements by means of a control line 72 which is illustrated directly connected to an arithmetic logic unit 73 and identified as a "control" line 72 to other elements of processor 10. Synchronous operation of the control unit 70 with other logic elements of processor 10 is achieved by means of clock pulses input to processor 10 from an external clock source on bus 74. This bus is also shown interconnected to various other logic elements of processor 10.

0035Data to be processed in processor 10 is input either through a bus control logic unit 76 or a program input/output control loqic unit 77. The bus control logic 76 connects to random access memory 20 and receives instructions for processing data input to input/output control 77. Thus, input/output control 77 receives data from keyboard 14 while bus control logic 76 receives instructions from memory 20. Note that different storage sections of memory 20 are identifiable for instruction storage and data storage. Device controls from processor 10 are output through program input/output controller 77 over a data bus 80.

0036Input data on the data bus 16 is passed internally through processor 10 on the bus 82 to control unit 70. Arithmetic logic unit 73, in response to a control signal on line 72 and in accordance with instructions received on memory bus 16, performs aritnmetic computations which may be stored in temporary scratch registers 83. Various other transfers of data between the arithmetic logic unit 73 and other logic elements of processor 10 are of course possible. Such additional transfers may be to a status register 85, data pointer register 86 or a stack pointer register 87. Also in the data stream for these various logic elements by means of the bus 82 is a program counter 88.

0037A particular operating sequence for processor 10 is determined by instructions on bus 16 and input data on the bus 16 or on bus 80 from keyboard 14. As an example, in response to received instructions, processor 10 transfers data stored in scratch registers 83 to one of registers 86, 87, or 85. Such operations of processors as detailed in Fig. 9 are considered to be well known and understood by one of ordinary skill in the data processing field. A detailed description of each of the operations of the processor of Fig. 9 for the described invention would be counterproductive to an understanding of the invention as claimed.

0038Table 1 illustrates a routine used by processor 10 for soliciting operator input of footnote formatting information. <tables id="tabl0001" num="0001"><img file="EP0094516A2_D0001.tif" /></tables><tables id="tabl0002" num="0002"><img file="EP0094516A2_D0002.tif" /></tables>

FOOTNOTE FORMAT

0039If a "Change Footnote Format" option is selected in a Format Selection menu presented to the operator for any number of tasks, then the system displays a Footnote Format menu as shown in MENU 1 below.

0040The Footnote Format is a part of both the Document and Alternate Document Format of the document. The Document and Alternate Document Format are two independent sets of formats which the operator may begin using at the top of any page in the document. Unless specified otherwise, the system defaults to the Document Format. <tables id="tabl0003" num="0003"><img file="EP0094516A2_D0003.tif" /></tables>

0041<ul id="ul0002" list-style="none"><li>Each ITEM in MENU 1 is briefly described below.</li><li>Typestyle Number: A plurality of choices of fonts including a variety of typestyles and pitches are available from MENU 1. Both typestyle and pitch are determined by a Font ID selected by the operator from POSSIBLE CHOICES. If no ID is specified, the system will use a Line Format typestyle default value.</li><li>Separator Character: Any graphic character available on a selected font can be specified or selected by the operator to form a separator line separating body and footnote text.</li><li>Number of Separator Characters: The operator can specify the number of characters to be used in making up the separator line. The number will only be measure limited. It is to be noted that a blank line will always precede and follow the separator line.</li><li>Maximum Number of Footnote Text Lines per Page: The number specified by the operator will be the maximum number of lines available at the bottom of the page for footnote text. Included with this number will be a specified number of lines between footnotes. Not included in the specified number are the blank lines before and following the separator line, the separator line, and a dedicated line at the bottom of the page. Although not included in the maximum number of footnote text lines, these lines are included in the total page line _Tount.</li><li>Number of Lines Between Footnotes: The operator can specify the interfootnote line spacing for formatting purposes to improve aesthetics. Footnote text will always be single spaced.</li><li>Footnote Numbering: An operator can specify whether or not footnote numbering is to be reset at page boundaries.</li><li>Footnote Numbering Graphic: If footnote numbering is to be reset at page boundaries and a non-numeric graphic character such as an asterisk is specified, the first footnote will be numbered "^*", the second will be numbered "^**", etc.</li><li>Footnote Placement: The operator can specify whether or not footnotes are formatted and placed at the bottom of each page or the end of the document. Range: 1 = Yes 2 = No</li></ul>

0042Following selections from MENU 1 and depression of the ENTER key, a Footnote Typing Options Format menu will be presented to the operator. This is illustrated below as MENU 2 wherein choices are available for the fixed portion of both footnote and footnote reference designations. The type of the variable portions of the footnote and footnote reference designations is selected from MENU 1. <tables id="tabl0004" num="0004"><img file="EP0094516A2_D0004.tif" /></tables><tables id="tabl0005" num="0005"><img file="EP0094516A2_D0005.tif" /></tables>

0043An explanation of each ITEM listed in MENU 2 is set out below. <ul id="ul0003" list-style="none"><li>Leading Characters: These characters include both controls and graphics to be generated by the system immediately before the variable portion of the footnote and footnote reference designation both in body and footnote text.</li><li>Trailing Characters: These characters include both controls and graphics to be generated by the system immediately after the variable portion of the footnote and footnote reference designation both in body and footnote text.</li><li>'Continued Footnote' Message Characters: Any character, tab, indent tab, space, required space, required backspace, or word underscore can be selected for system placement 1) following the last footnote line on a page, and 2) before the first footnote line on the next page when a footnote "spills over" from one page to the next.</li></ul>

0044When the operator completes entry of all desired choices and depresses the Enter key against a prompt to type the ID to choose an item displayed on the Prompt Line, the system will update the Document or Alternate Format of the document with the values selected by the operator and re-display the Format Selection menu.

0045Following the above set up routine, the operator is now ready to begin preparing a footnoted document.

0046Footnotes are created during the normal Create/Revise Document task via a Footnote instruction. When the operator selects "Footnote" from an Instruction Menu and depresses the Enter key, a Footnote Menu illustrated below as MENU 3 will be presented. <tables id="tabl0006" num="0006"><img file="EP0094516A2_D0006.tif" /></tables>

0047The ITEMS against which the operator makes choices are described below. <ul id="ul0004" list-style="none"><li>Create or Revise Footnote Text: Operator selection here is for calling a blank Footnote Typing Frame illustrated as FRAME 1 later herein if typing a new footnote is in order, or a Footnote Typing Frame with an existing footnote as illustrated in FRAME 2 later herein in order for the operator to make revisions.</li><li>Reset Footnote Number or Character: This option is selected whenever the operator desires to override the automatic system-generated sequence of footnote numbering or designations (i.e., 1, 2, 3,...).by specifying a specific number or other graphic character or characters.</li></ul>

0048If a number is entered, then footnote numbering by the system will be reset to that value. If a graphic is entered, then the automatic sequencing of numeric values will be suspended until the next "null" or numeric value is encountered.

0049The following two items should only be selected if footnotes are to be stored in a document other than the editing document. <ul id="ul0005" list-style="none"><li>Document Name: Selection here is to 1) store footnote text to be created, 2) locate footnote text to be revised, or 3) locate existing footnote text to be included in the document.</li><li>Diskette Name: The name of the diskette on which the above document resides is entered by the operator.</li><li>System Page Number: An entry here is for calling a page which contains the footnote text. If both the Document Name and Diskette Name are blank, then the system will assume that footnote text is to be stored with the document being created or edited. The system will store the footnote text on the next available page on or above 9000 (i.e., 9000, 9000.0.1, 9000.0.2,....) and after existing footnote pages.</li></ul>

0050If the operator specifies another Document Name/Diskette Name, then any page number of that document may be used to store the footnote text. If no page number is specified, then the first available page will be used. The operator may also specify that a particular existing page number be used by selecting this ITEM and entering the page number.

0051The Footnote Instruction thus created in memory will have the following makeup: <ul id="ul0006" list-style="none"><li>1) Footnote Reference Control (FTR) followed by the following controls:</li><li>2) Begin Formatted Text Control (BFT)</li><li>3) Leading characters</li><li>4) Footnote number</li><li>5) Trailing characters</li><li>6) End Formatted Text Control (EFT)</li></ul>

0052The BFT/EFT control pair is used by the system to identify data that was generated by the system and may be later updated or modified by the system.

0053The value of the footnote number itself may be: <ul id="ul0007" list-style="none"><li>1) Sequentially assigned by the system when the footnote instruction is created (and prior to assembly for merging and paginating the footnote and body text).</li><li>2) Explicitly assigned by the operator when the footnote instruction is created.</li><li>3) Determined by the system during the assembly operation.</li></ul>

0054As a result, a footnote number (together with any leading and/or trailing characters) will always appear in the body text after a footnote instruction is created.

0055Upon revising a footnote instruction, the Footnote Instruction can be altered by placing the cursor on the Footnote Instruction and pressing the Enter key. The Footnote Menu (MENU 3) will be recalled.

0056During creation or revision of footnote text, if "Create or Revise Footnote Text" is set to "Yes" in the Footnote Menu (MENU 3), a Footnote Typing Frame (Frames 1 and 2) will be displayed when the ENTER key is depressed. <tables id="tabl0007" num="0007"><img file="EP0094516A2_D0007.tif" /></tables><tables id="tabl0008" num="0008"><img file="EP0094516A2_D0008.tif" /></tables>

0057The format of the footnote text and the page presentation characteristics for footnotes are determined by the Document or Alternate Format and the Footnote Format. After the footnote and body text have been assembled, the footnote text will always be single spaced regardless of the line spacing of the body text. The Context Field on the First Status Line of the Footnote Typing Frames will display either "Create Footnote" or "Revise Footnote", as appropriate.

0058In order to create a reference to an already existing footnote, operator procedure is to specify the diskette name, document name, and page number for the footnote and set "Create or Revise Footnote Text" to "No" in the Footnote Menu (MENU 3). After the operator has specified the document name and diskette name the first time a footnote was included, the default will be the previous document and diskette name used.

0059During document assembly, body text and footnote text are resolved. Resolution requires combined pagination and merge operations if both body and footnote text are to appear on the same page.

0060Footnote text is formatted for output to a display for review or to a printer by either a Paginate Document task, a Merge task, or a Paginate/ Hyphenate option of a Check Document task. The Paginate Document task will assemble the document to permit the operator to view the pages of the document made up of body and footnote text exactly as it will be printed.

0061The makeup of the footnote text at the bottom of the page will be: <ul id="ul0008" list-style="none"><li>Begin Formatted Text Control (BFT)</li><li>Line Format Change (to set footnote format)</li><li>Begin Keep Control</li><li>Required Carrier Return (for blank line above</li><li>separator line)</li><li>Separator line, Required Carrier Return</li><li>Required Carrier Return (for blank line below</li><li>separator line)</li><li>Footnote Text</li><li>Line Format Change (to return to format prior to</li><li>footnote)</li><li>"n" number of indent tabs (where "n" is</li><li>determined from the indent level at the Begin Formatted</li><li>Text control).</li><li>End Keep Control</li><li>End Formatted Text Control (EFT)</li></ul>

0062The footnote reference number or other designation in the body text will be used to determine the footnote number or other designation to be printed and displayed. The system will automatically insert footnote designations together with any leading and trailing characters at the beginning of the footnotes automatically during assembly only.

0063Ordinarily, the system will assign footnote numbers in sequential order. However, if the operator has specified that a particular number be used, the system will assign that number to the footnote, and subsequent system assigned numbers will be determined using that number as a base. Automatic sequencing may be interrupted by the presence of non-numeric footnote reference designations. The next numeric footnote reference will resume the automatic sequencing by the system..

0064If footnotes are inserted, moved, or deleted from the assembled document, then the document must be reassembled to renumber the footnotes.

0065Table 2 describes the routine performed by the assembly supervisor 100. This is the main routine that controls the pagination and merge operations.

0066This main routine (DOCPA) invokes other routines to adjust lines, make page ending decisions, and process, format, and renumber footnotes. <tables id="tabl0009" num="0009"><img file="EP0094516A2_D0009.tif" /></tables><tables id="tabl0010" num="0010"><img file="EP0094516A2_D0010.tif" /></tables>

0067Table 3 describes a subroutine (LINEPOS) of the routine DOCPA. This subroutine calculates the positional change caused by line ending codes. The paginator (DOCPA) uses this information in determining where to make page ending decisions. The subroutine (LINEPOS) also invokes a routine (RSOLVE) to fetch and resolve footnote text. <tables id="tabl0011" num="0011"><img file="EP0094516A2_D0011.tif" /></tables>

0068Table 4.describes a subroutine (PAGEEND) of the routine DOCPA that makes page ending decisions by inserting a page end code into the document TSB 240. Prior to inserting the page end code, the subroutine (PAGEEND) invokes a routine (EPAG) to process and insert all footnote text accumulated in the formatted footnote TSB 140 or stored on diskette unit 24 into document TSB 240. <tables id="tabl0012" num="0012"><img file="EP0094516A2_D0012.tif" /></tables>

0069Table 5 describes the routine (FNNUM) which determines the type of footnote numbering or designations to be used and when to reset and/or increment the numbering or designations. <tables id="tabl0013" num="0013"><img file="EP0094516A2_D0013.tif" /></tables><tables id="tabl0014" num="0014"><img file="EP0094516A2_D0014.tif" /></tables>

0070The routine RSOLVE in Table 6 is invoked by the paginator routine (DOCPA) if the footnote placement is specified to be "bottom of page" not "bottom of document". If the footnote placement is specified to be "bottom of document", then resolution occurs in the routine EDOC. Its function is to resolve one or more footnote reference controls that the . paginator encountered after adjusting the cursored body text line during document pagination. Note that the paginator (DOCPA) invokes this routine only after completing the line adjustment of the cursored line and additionally determining that the cursored line will fit on the current page. This routine: <ul id="ul0009" list-style="none"><li>a) insures that the footnote format values are in a range that will enable feasible resolution. These include the maximum number of footnote text lines, and the number of blank lines between footnotes,</li><li>b) determines whether the current page is to be terminated prematurely. This occurs when the first footnote text line for the footnote reference that is being processed will not appear on the same page as its reference. This usually occurs when there is enough footnote text pending such that the maximum number of footnote text lines is surpassed,</li><li>c) resolves the footnote references encountered on the current line via the invocation of routine GETFN to fetch and resolve each footnote reference.<img file="EP0094516A2_D0015.tif" /><img file="EP0094516A2_D0016.tif" /></li></ul>

0071The routine GETFN in Table 7 is invoked by the routine RSOLVE to perform the actual resolution of footnote references. Its function is to resolve each footnote reference control that the paginator encountered after adjusting the cursored body text line. It is already assumed that there is room at the bottom of the page for at least one more footnote text line and that the footnote placement is the bottom of page, not bottom of document.

0072Resolution is performed one of two ways: <ul id="ul0010" list-style="none"><li>If all of the footnotes on a page can be copied and formatted into the formatted footnote TSB (140), then the limited footnote algorithm is used. This method does a minimal amount of diskette accessing and performs almost all processing in memory. The result is fast formatting and resolution of each footnote reference since all of the formatted footnotes will be in memory when the routine EPAG is called at the end of the page to insert the footnotes at the bottom of the page.</li></ul>

0073This method is used most of the time for footnote placement at the bottom of a page unless very large footnotes are being processed.

0074If not all of the footnotes on a page will fit into the formatted footnote TSB 140, then the indefinite footnote algorithm is used. This involves storing the current body text page back onto the diskette unit 24 and moving the TSB point of operation to the page that contains the footnote text to be formatted and resolved (even if the page is in another document). Once the footnote is formatted it is stored back onto the diskette and the TSB point of operation is moved back to its original point in the body text page. With this approach the routine EPAG will fetch the footnote text from diskette unit 24 to the bottom of the page.

0075Resolution typically involves the following items: <ul id="ul0011" list-style="none"><li>Formatting the footnote text based on the active footnote format. This implies that the Document or Alternate Document Format (whichever is active) will be scanned in order to obtain the parameters required to format the footnote text correctly.</li></ul>

0076Inserting the appropriate footnote number bracketed within a BFT/EFT control sequence with the appropriate leading/trail- ing text and/or controls prior to the footnote text.

0077Calculating the number of footnote text lines corresponding to the footnote reference being processed.

0078Updating the number of pending footnotes on the current line to be inserted.

0079Calculating the total vertical escapement due to footnote text that is to be inserted at the bottom of the page. This value is used by the paginator in its page ending decision logic. <tables id="tabl0015" num="0015"><img file="EP0094516A2_D0017.tif" /></tables><tables id="tabl0016" num="0016"><img file="EP0094516A2_D0018.tif" /></tables><tables id="tabl0017" num="0017"><img file="EP0094516A2_D0019.tif" /></tables>

0080The purpose of the routine EPAG in Table 8 is to move FORMATTED footnote text to the end of the current page. The footnote text resides either in the formatted footnote TSB 140 (if the limited algorithm is used) or on pages in the footnote library (in a separate document or on page 9000 or above if in the same document).

0081Upon invocation, a page end decision has been made by the paginator and the TSB point of operation is at the start of a line. This line will be forced to the next page via the insertion of a page end control, but before the page end control is inserted, this routine must insert (prior to the TSB point of operation) the appropriate number of formatted footnote text lines along with all the necessary formatting controls. All the information required for these insertions is available in the footnote control block 108 and footnote reference buffer 110.

0082After determining how many lines it must insert, this routine inserts the necessary formatting controls to precede the footnote text, the separator line, and the formatting controls to following the footnote text.

0083After the formatting controls are inserted, this routine either fetches all of the formatted footnote text from the formatted footnote TSB 140 (if the limited algorithm was able to be used) or (if the indefinite length algorithm had to be used) then it fetches in the footnote text for the first footnote. The footnote's respective entry in the footnote reference buffer 110 contains the pointers to each footnote text page. Note that the footnote reference buffer 110 causes the system to have an "internal resolution limit" of about 20 footnotes per page if each footnote is stored in a separate document and up to 142 footnotes per page if each footnote is stored on page 9000 or above of the same document that contains the body text with the corresponding footnote references.

0084If necessary, lines that have been inserted in the previous page will be deleted after the entire footnote text is fetched.

0085If the entire footnote fits and more footnote text is pending, the insertion sequence will continue with the next footnote.

0086If the entire footnote won't fit, then the footnote text that won't fit will be deleted. These lines will appear on the next page.

0087After the insertion is complete, the necessary pointers in the footnote resolution control block 108 are updated. The footnote resolution buffer will also be updated to reflect the insertions. <tables id="tabl0018" num="0018"><img file="EP0094516A2_D0020.tif" /></tables><tables id="tabl0019" num="0019"><img file="EP0094516A2_D0021.tif" /></tables><tables id="tabl0020" num="0020"><img file="EP0094516A2_D0022.tif" /></tables><tables id="tabl0021" num="0021"><img file="EP0094516A2_D0023.tif" /></tables>

0088In summary, a unique method of, and system for, formatting footnotes is provided in order to reduce operator attention and errors, and meet author desires and needs. Prior to input of a document, a menu is presented to the operator for selecting and defining a desired footnote format. The operator has the flexibility of defining the format by specifying a separator line including the makeup therof, an indent level for both the footnote designations and the first line of each footnote, an indent level for the entire footnote, and an interfootnote spacing to be applied when more than one footnote is to appear on a page of the document. The parameters thus established will remain in effect until changed. A change in any one of these parameters will be global in nature and affect the entire document. Thereafter, body text is keyed up to a footnote reference point. During this body text keying, the text is displayed and editing is permitted. At the footnote reference point, a menu is called from which a footnote task is selected. This causes a display frame to be presented for keying the footnote. Editing of the footnote is also permitted. Following input of the footnote, the operator recalls the body text display frame for continued keying, and the footnote is stored away in a footnote library..

0089Upon recall of the body text display frame, the system applies an appropriate footnote reference designation to the body text at the footnote reference point, and logs the location in the footnote library of the corresponding footnote. Following input keying of the body and footnote text, operator procedure calls for causing the system to assemble the body and footnote text.

0090The assembly operation involves combined merge and pagination operations. Following assembly, the document can be display recalled on a page basis for review and editing. Thereafter, the document is ready to be printed.

0091During input of a footnote to the footnote frame, one set of the above-mentioned parameters is in effect, and during document assembly all specified parameters will be applied to the footnotes. That is, during input, specified indent levels will be in effect and applied to the keyed and displayed footnotes.

0092While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to a preferred embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made by equivalent means such as for example, other type of display devices, memories or other type of processor without departing from the scope of the application as defined by the claims.