WO2020089568A1

WO2020089568A1 - Redaction handling

Info

Publication number: WO2020089568A1
Application number: PCT/GB2018/053176
Authority: WO
Inventors: Stuart Edward CRAFT; Jonathan Roland CHAN; Robert Gavin CROWLEY
Original assignee: Hobs Group Limited
Priority date: 2018-11-01
Filing date: 2018-11-01
Publication date: 2020-05-07

Abstract

A redaction handling method for handling a main set of redaction panels in respect of at least one document, where there is at least one redaction subset which comprises a subset of the main set of redaction panels, the method comprising the steps of: obtaining access to redaction location data ST703 for each redaction panel in the main set, the location data defining a location and extent of the respective redaction panel in relation to the at least one document; obtaining access to redaction subset indicator data ST703 in respect of each redaction panel which is indicative of the redaction subset to which the respective redaction panel belongs; determining whether a first redaction panel belonging to a first redaction subset ST704 is continuous with at least one other redaction panel in the first redaction subset such that there is a continuous set of redaction panels belonging to the first redaction subset of which continuous set the first redaction panel is a part based on a comparison of the redaction panel with at least one of the redaction location data and the redaction panel with at least one of the redaction location data and the redaction subset locator data of the remaining redaction panels in the main set; and where there is a continuous set of redaction panels belonging to the first redaction subset of which continuous set the first redaction panel is a part, determining a primary redaction panel ST710 in the continuous set of redactions and assigning ST711 a redaction subset indicator for display along with the primary redaction panel; and where there is no continuous set of redactions belonging to the first redaction subset of which continuous set the first redaction panel is a part assigning a redaction subset indicator ST709 for display along with the first redaction panel.

Description

REDACTION HANDLING

This invention relates to redaction handling methods, systems and apparatus.

In certain circumstances there can be a relatively involved and complicated process when starting from an original document and arriving at a redacted version for dissemination to a wider group of people.

Multiple parties may be involved in the process of producing the redacted document and various rounds of redaction may take place. That is to say one party may perform an initial proposed redacting process which then needs to be reviewed by another party who may then alter, remove, or add redactions in their round before this is resubmitted to the original party who may then follow up with the same process. Further as will be appreciated the size and number of documents which may need to be handled in this way can be large. Thus with multiple documents, parties, and redactions an intractable web of redactions and associated comments can result.

This means that it can be difficult or impossible to properly manage, record, and keep track of redactions using a manual process. In such a process mistakes are liable to be made at which time important information may be lost or an inappropriately redacted document may result.

It would be desirable to provide a redaction handling method/apparatus/system to assist in this redaction process and overcome the problems which arise in trying to manage this manually.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a redaction handling method for handling a main set of redaction panels in respect of at least one document, where there is at least one redaction subset which comprises a subset of the main set of redaction panels, the method comprising the steps of: obtaining access to redaction location data for each redaction panel in the main set, the location data defining a location and extent of the respective redaction panel in relation to the at least one document; obtaining access to redaction subset indicator data in respect of each redaction panel which is indicative of the redaction subset to which the respective redaction panel belongs;

determining whether a first redaction panel belonging to a first redaction subset is continuous with at least one other redaction panel in the first redaction subset such that there is a continuous set of redaction panels belonging to the first redaction subset of which continuous set the first redaction panel is a part based on a comparison of the redaction location data and the redaction subset indicator data of the first redaction panel with at least one of the redaction location data and the redaction subset indicator data of the remaining redaction panels in the main set;

and where there is a continuous set of redaction panels belonging to the first redaction subset of which continuous set the first redaction panel is a part, determining a primary redaction panel in the continuous set of redactions and assigning a redaction subset indicator for display along with the primary redaction panel;

and where there is no continuous set of redactions belonging to the first redaction subset of which continuous set the first redaction panel is a part assigning a redaction subset indicator for display along with the first redaction panel.

The method may further include handling an accompanying redaction schedule which comprises a plurality of redaction entry items containing information about at least one associated redaction panel, a respective redaction entry item of the plurality being associated with each redaction panel, and there being a respective common redaction entry item associated with the redaction subset. In such a case the redaction subset indicator may comprise a redaction entry item indicator.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a redaction panel handling method for handling a main set of redaction panels in respect of at least one document and an accompanying redaction schedule which comprises a plurality of redaction entry items containing information associated with at least one associated redaction panel, a respective redaction entry item of the plurality being associated with each redaction panel, and there being at least one redaction subset which comprises a subset of the main set of redaction panels and which subset is associated with a respective common redaction entry item, the method comprising the steps of:

obtaining access to redaction location data for each redaction panel in the main set, the location data defining a location and extent of the respective redaction panel in relation to the at least one document;

obtaining access to redaction subset indicator data in respect of each redaction panel which is indicative of the redaction subset to which the respective redaction panel belongs;

and where there is a continuous set of redaction panels belonging to the first redaction subset of which continuous set the first redaction panel is a part, determining a primary redaction panel in the continuous set of redaction panels and assigning, in dependence on the redaction subset indicator data of the first redaction panel, a redaction entry item indicator for display along with the primary redaction panel;

and where there is no continuous set of redaction panels belonging to the first redaction subset of which continuous set the first redaction panel is a part assigning, in dependence on the redaction subset indicator data of the first redaction, a redaction entry item indicator for display along with the first redaction panel.

Note that here the expression continuous with is used to mean contiguous with and/or overlapping. Thus redaction panels which abut are considered continuous as are those which overlap by at least some degree. What is of interest is that to the user there appears to be one continuous redaction panel. When such a situation exists the resulting compound redaction panel, if all part of a common subset, can sensibly be labelled once. As will be appreciated redaction panels are for at least temporarily obscuring portions of the document which lie under the redaction panels.

These methods can facilitate a machine driven organisation and labelling of redactions in a document in such a way as to ensure consistency and intelligibility for users. As multiple rounds of redactions are carried out, possibly by different parties, the advantages become greater and an intractable web of redactions (and associated information when present) can be avoided.

The redaction location data for each redaction panel in the main set may be stored as part of the present method/system to allow access thereto. As an alternative the redaction location data for each redaction panel in the main set may be stored separately from the system or method and accessed as required - as an example that data may be stored under the control of a computer program which is separate from, but may work in conjunction with, a computer program implementing the present method/system. A first program may exist that handles basic redaction related operations including storing redaction location data and the present invention may be embodied in a second program provided to work in conjunction with that first program.

The redaction subset indicator data for each redaction in the main set may be stored as part of the present method/system to allow access thereto.

Each redaction panel may be a rectangle. The location data may comprise, or allow the determination of, the location of diagonally opposite corners of the respective redaction panel. For example this may be an upper left corner and a lower right corner of the panel.

Determining whether a first redaction panel belonging to a first redaction subset is continuous with at least one other redaction panel in the first redaction subset may comprise first identifying any redaction panels which belong to the first redaction subset.

Preferably the method or system is arranged to determine whether a first redaction panel belonging to a first redaction subset overlaps with at least one other redaction panel in the first redaction subset such that there is a overlapping set of redaction panels belonging to the first redaction subset of which

overlapping set the first redaction panel is a part. In this case redaction panels which are merely contiguous with no overlap are not included in the subset and are treated as separate from the first redaction panel.

Determining overlap is computationally more straightforward than determining contiguousness and it has been found in practical terms sufficient to determine overlap. Where context allows sub features defined herein in relation to continuous redaction panels apply equally to overlapping redaction panels and vice versa.

Determining whether a first redaction panel belonging to a first redaction subset overlaps with at least one other redaction panel in the first redaction subset may comprise first identifying any redaction panels which belong to the first redaction subset.

Determining whether a first redaction panel belonging to a first redaction subset overlaps with at least one other redaction panel in the first redaction subset may comprise determining the location and extent of the first redaction panel by identifying the location of diagonally opposite corners of the first redaction panel from the location data to define a rectangle corresponding to the first redaction panel, determining the location and extent of a second redaction panel by identifying the location of diagonally opposite corners of the first redaction panel from the location data to define a rectangle corresponding to the second redaction panel and determining whether the rectangles overlap.

This process may be repeated for each redaction panel under consideration. Preferably any redaction panels which belong to the first redaction subset are first identified and only these need to be considered when assessing overlap.

The redaction subset indicator may comprise an redaction label panel. The redaction label panel may be located within the redaction panel with which it is associated. Determining a primary redaction panel may comprise applying at least one rule which should be satisfied by a primary redaction panel.

Determining a primary redaction panel may comprise determining a redaction panel, in a continuous set of redaction panels belonging to the first redaction subset of which continuous set the first redaction panel is a part, which is at an extreme edge or extreme corner of the continuous set.

Determining a primary redaction panel may comprise determining a redaction panel, in a continuous set of redaction panels belonging to the first redaction subset of which continuous set the first redaction panel is a part, which is the upper-left most in that continuous set.

Determining a primary redaction panel may comprise determining a reference point in respect of each redaction panel in the continuous subset and may further comprise determining the panel in the continuous subset for which the respective reference point is closest to an extremity in the document and setting that redaction panel as the primary redaction panel.

Determining a primary redaction panel may comprise the steps of determining the upper left most corner of each redaction panel in the continuous set, determining which of these corners is uppermost in the document, and hence which redaction panel is upper most and setting that upper most redaction panel as the primary redaction panel.

The method may comprise the step of receiving from a user an indication of to which redaction subset a redaction panel belongs to allow acquisition of redaction subset indicator data.

The method may comprise the step of displaying to the user at least one document overlaid with the set of redaction panels and redaction subset indicators. The method may comprise the step of displaying to the user the redaction schedule associated with the document. The method may comprise the step of displaying to the user at least one document overlaid with the set of redaction panels and redaction subset indicators whilst allowing the user to view text/content present under at least some of the redaction panels if desired.

The method may comprise the step of flattening the redaction panels onto the underlying document such that the text/content under the redaction panels is permanently obscured.

The method may comprise the step of outputting as a dataset the at least one document, the location data for each redaction panel in the set, and the redaction subset indicator for each redaction in the set. The data set may comprise the redaction schedule associated with the document.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a redaction handling system for handling a main set of redaction panels in respect of at least one document, where there is at least one redaction subset which comprises a subset of the main set of redaction panels, the system comprising at least one computer arranged under the control of software to:

obtain access to redaction location data for each redaction panel in the main set, the location data defining a location and extent of the respective redaction panel in relation to the at least one document;

obtain access to redaction subset indicator data in respect of each redaction panel which is indicative of the redaction subset to which the respective redaction panel belongs;

determine whether a first redaction panel belonging to a first redaction subset is continuous with at least one other redaction panel in the first redaction subset such that there is a continuous set of redaction panels belonging to the first redaction subset of which continuous set the first redaction panel is a part based on a comparison of the redaction location data and the redaction subset indicator data of the first redaction panel with at least one of the redaction location data and the redaction subset indicator data of the remaining redaction panels in the main set;

and where there is a continuous set of redaction panels belonging to the first redaction subset of which continuous set the first redaction panel is a part, determine a primary redaction panel in the continuous set of redactions and assign a redaction subset indicator for display along with the primary redaction panel;

and where there is no continuous set of redactions belonging to the first redaction subset of which continuous set the first redaction panel is a part assign a redaction subset indicator for display along with the first redaction panel.

The system may be arranged to handle an accompanying redaction schedule which comprises a plurality of redaction entry items containing information about at least one associated redaction panel, a respective redaction entry item of the plurality being associated with each redaction panel, and there being a respective common redaction entry item associated with the redaction subset. In such a case the redaction subset indicator may comprise a redaction entry item indicator.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a redaction panel handling system for handling a main set of redaction panels in respect of at least one document and an accompanying redaction schedule which comprises a plurality of redaction entry items containing information about at least one associated redaction panel, a respective redaction entry item of the plurality being associated with each redaction panel, and there being at least one redaction subset which comprises a subset of the main set of redaction panels and which subset is associated with a respective common redaction entry item, the system comprising at least one computer arranged under the control of software to: obtain access to redaction location data for each redaction panel in the main set, the location data defining a location and extent of the respective redaction panel in relation to the at least one document;

and where there is a continuous set of redaction panels belonging to the first redaction subset of which continuous set the first redaction panel is a part, determine a primary redaction panel in the continuous set of redaction panels and assign, in dependence on the redaction subset indicator data of the first redaction panel, a redaction entry item indicator for display along with the primary redaction panel;

and where there is no continuous set of redaction panels belonging to the first redaction subset of which continuous set the first redaction panel is a part assign, in dependence on the redaction subset indicator data of the first redaction, a redaction entry item indicator for display along with the first redaction panel.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a computer program, or set of computer programs, comprising code portions that when loaded and run on a computer or set of computers cause the computer or set of computers to carry out a method as defined above or cause the computer or set of computers above to comprise an apparatus or system as defined above.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided at least one machine readable data carrier carrying a one or more computer program as defined above.

The machine readable data carrier may for example comprise a physical media computer program product or a signal.

Note that, in general terms and with any necessary modifications in wording, all of the further features defined above following any aspect of the invention above are applicable as further features of all other aspects of the invention defined above. These further features are not restated after each aspect of the invention merely for the sake of brevity. Further where processes are described for execution in respect of one

redaction/redaction panel/redaction schedule item/subset/document it will be appreciated that these may be repeated for subsequent redactions/redaction panels/redaction schedule items/subsets/documents and so on.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 schematically shows the architecture of a redaction handling

system/apparatus;

Figure 2 shows an example redacted document;

Figure 3 shows an example redaction schedule associated with the document shown in Figure 2;

Figure 4 shows a redaction database table having entries which correspond to the redactions shown in Figures 2 and 3;

Figure 5 shows a redaction schedule database table having entries which corresponds to the redactions and redaction schedule of Figures 2 and 3;

Figure 6 shows a redaction schedule mapping database table having entries which correspond to the redactions and redaction schedule shown in Figures 2 and 3;

Figure 7 shows a flow chart illustrating a process which is carried out using a redaction handling system when a user adds a redaction to a document; and

Figure 8 shows a flow chart illustrating a process which is carried out using a redaction handling system when a user modifies a redaction in a document.

Figure 1 shows a computer system arranged under the control of software for acting as a redaction handling system. The computer system includes a main unit MU including a processor P and memory M as well as a storage device S. The computer system also comprises a display D for displaying documents, and a user interface, to a user, and user input devices U such as a keyboard, mouse and so on. Furthermore the computer system CS is arranged for communicating via a network to a server SVR as well as to other computer systems CS for example over the internet where required.

In implementing the present handling systems the computer system MU may hold documents and the software for operating the handling system locally on a machine or may access some or all of these programs and documents from a server SVR over the network NET. The present invention may be embodied in a method, in a computer apparatus or system configured under the control of software for operating as a document handling system or in the form of a computer program which may be carried on a machine readable medium for example a signal or on physical media computer program products such as at least one disk such as a CD or DVD or a hard-drive or a solid state-drive such as a flash-drive or so on.

Figure 2 shows a document bearing six redaction panels 1 each of which acts to redact a certain part of the document. That is to say to cover up and obscure a certain part of the document. Labels 1 a are provided for the redaction panels 1 .

Figure 3 shows a redaction schedule which is associated with this document which includes reasons for and any other comments and information in respect of each redaction and hence each redaction panel 1.

Whilst there are six redaction panels 1 in the redacted document shown in Figure 2 these are grouped in various ways in the present handling methods and systems to help manage these redactions and the accompanying redaction schedule so that multiple rounds of redactions, where appropriate, and multiple redactions being carried out by different entities, where appropriate, can be conveniently handled.

The six redaction panels 1 can be considered as a main set of redaction panels 1 which are associated with the document and for which there is the accompanying redaction schedule shown in Figure 3. Within this main set, the redaction panels 1 are first arranged in appropriate subsets of one or more redaction panel 1 where the same reasons and

information concerning the redactions effected by the reaction panels in the subset apply to all redaction panels in the subset. The redaction schedule as shown in Figure 3 comprises a number of redaction schedule entry items and each one of these is associated with a respective redaction subset. Thus in the present embodiment there are four redaction schedule entry items each having a respective redaction subset indicator label namely the references M1 , M2, M3 and M4.

In the redacted document all of the redaction panels 1 in a respective redaction subset are indicated to belong to that subset by the provision of an appropriate label 1 a. This allows the reader to tie the redactions with the information in the redaction schedule.

Where the redaction panels are non-continuous, as for example the two redaction panels in redaction subset M1 , each redaction panel is given its own label. Thus it can be seen that these redactions both correspond to the information in the redaction schedule which is also labelled with the indicator label M1 .

On the other hand where redaction panels 1 are continuous (that is to say either overlapping or contiguous) as is the case for the redaction panels marked with the label M2 in Figure 1 only one of the redaction panels 1 is provided with a label. This redaction panel is considered to be a primary (or dominant) redaction panel by the system and is so assigned a label. In the present embodiment where there is a group of continuous redaction panels in one redaction subset then the redaction panel which is upper most in that continuous subset (or“group”) is provided with the redaction subset indicator label.

In the present example the redaction panel labelled M3 is an example of one where there is a single redaction in a redaction subset and the redaction labelled M4 is an example where there is a single redaction in a redaction subset and this is provided with a textual indicator or“cypher” in this case N123 rather than being a plain blackout redaction panel. If there is a situation where there are multiple redaction panels in one redaction subset and some of those redaction panels in the subset are continuous whereas others are not in that continuous subset then those panels which are separate from the continuous subset are given their own label whereas only the primary redaction in each continuous subset is provided with a redaction subset indicator label.

Thus with this arrangement each redaction panel that needs to be provided with a redaction subset indicator label is provided with one whereas when such a label would be unnecessary or potentially confusing (for example because it would appear in the middle of a blacked out portion of the text) no such label is provided with just the upper most redaction panel in that continuous set being labelled.

The present methods, apparatus and systems are arranged for automatically handling new redactions as they are added to a document and automatically ensuring that they are correctly labelled. Similarly the present methods, apparatus and systems are arranged for automatically handling modifications to existing redactions.

Figures 4, 5 and 6 show example database tables with entries corresponding to the redactions included in Figure 2 and the accompanying redaction schedule Figure 3. It will be appreciated that other columns may be provided in these database tables for storing other information in association with each redaction both in terms of the details of the redaction panels themselves as well as information for inclusion in the redaction schedule. Here we include only those columns which are useful for understanding the present invention. Each of these tables also includes an additional column headed“related redaction” in which is included the redaction subset indicator label. This is included in the tables in the specification to aid understanding and is not needed (although would do no harm) in tables used in carrying out the present embodiment.

Figure 4 shows a redaction table T1 which includes information regarding each redaction panel 1. Further in this implementation as well as each of the redaction panels 1 being treated as a redaction in the redaction table then each of the labels 1 a is also treated as a redaction in the redaction table. This is an optional way of proceeding and really makes use of the fact that commercially available tools may be used for drawing the actual redaction panels 1 and thus also may be used for drawing the labels 1 a within the redaction panels 1 .

The redaction table T 1 has one row for each redaction panel 1 and one row for each redaction label 1 a. For each row data is held in columns as shown in Figure 4. Of these ID is an internal database key for the redaction, X is the X location of the upper left corner of the redaction panel, Y is the Y location of the upper left corner of the redaction panel, width is the width in the X direction of the panel, height is the height in Y direction of the panel and Markup set ID is an indicator that shows these redactions all belong to a particular set. If further redactions were later added to this document they could be included in a separate set and given a separate Markup set ID.

Continuing with the columns, Text indicates the text which is visible in the respective redaction panel, and Document identifier indicates the document to which the redaction relates.

Thus in this case since we are only looking at redactions in a single document in this example the document identifier is the same for all of the redactions.

If we look at the first row in the table with ID = 69 this represents the redaction panel 1 which is upper left most in the document shown in Figure 2 whereas the second row in the table with ID = 70 represents the redaction subset indicator label 1 a with text M1 which is used to label this first redaction panel 1.

Figure 5 shows a redaction schedule table T2. This contains data that corresponds to the redaction schedule shown in Figure 3. Again this table may include further columns including other information and in this example we include only those columns which are useful for understanding the present invention. There is a row in this table T2 for each redaction schedule entry item included in the redaction schedule and data in a number of columns for each of these redaction schedule entry items as shown in Figure 5.

The data in these columns is as follows: Artifact ID is a database key in respect of each redaction schedule entry item, Name is an automatically assigned text identifier given to each redaction schedule entry item as will appear in the redaction schedule and also will be used in labelling the respective redaction panels as shown in Figure 2. Reason contains the text which will be included in the redaction schedule as reasons for the redactions being made and other appropriate information. Cypher contains text which will be visible on the face of the redaction panel as in the case of the M4 redaction panel shown in Figure 2 where appropriate. It will be seen that where this column is null then a black redaction panel is displayed.

Gist is a separate information column in which a summary of the reason information for a particular redaction may be given so that this can appear in the redaction schedule. Round number indicates what round of redactions this redaction schedule item has reached. This will be used in circumstances where there may be multiple rounds and reasons may be built up or modified over time. Thus there might be separate rows each with different round numbers and the system might be arranged to display all of the reasons with an indicator of the round to which they relate to in a redaction schedule. As another example the system may show only the most recent reason ie that with the highest round number.

Document identifier again identifies the document to which the redaction schedule relates. Flagged for deletion indicates a redaction that whilst initially suggested has now been deleted. This enables the redaction panel 1 to be removed from the document so that the corresponding text is not obscured whilst still retaining information of the fact that at one stage a redaction in respect of this portion of text was suggested.

Figure 6 shows a redaction schedule mapping table T3. This serves to tie together the redactions as included in the redaction table in the appropriate manner. This helps achieve the situation where the main redaction panels are provided with appropriate labels depending on what redaction subset they are in and depending on whether they are a primary redaction in a continuous subset of a respective redaction subset.

There is a row in this table for each main redaction panel 1 and the other data in the table helps indicate the relationship between this main redaction panel and the label panels 1 a and so on.

The data is held in a number of columns as shown in Figure 6. Mapping ID is a database key for this table. Redaction Schedule ID identifies the redaction schedule item to which the row relates and corresponds to the Artifact ID included in the redaction schedule table T2. Drawn Redaction ID indicates the main redaction panel to which the row relates and corresponds to the ID column in the redaction table T1 . Numbered Redaction ID indicates the redaction held in the redaction table which contains the label 1 a for use with the respective redaction panel 1. Primary Dominant Redaction ID indicates the redaction panel which is primary in the overall redaction subset to which the drawn redaction indicated in the drawn redaction ID column belongs. In the present embodiment this will be the upper left most redaction in the continuous redaction subset.

On the other hand Secondary Dominant Redaction ID indicates the redaction in a continuous group which is the upper most redaction in that continuous group. This will be a redaction which is given a label 1 a.

Further where there is only one continuous group of redactions in a redaction subset (ie with the same redaction schedule ID) the secondary dominant redaction ID will be the same as the primary dominant redaction ID. However, where there is at least two groups of continuous redactions in a subset (ie all sharing the same redaction schedule ID) the primary dominant redaction ID will be different from the secondary redaction ID. The primary dominant redaction ID will be that of the redaction which is uppermost in the whole group of redactions associated with that redaction schedule ID whereas the secondary dominant redaction ID will be that for uppermost redaction in the continuous subset to which the redaction which we are considering belongs. Figure 7 shows a flow chart illustrating the process of adding a new redaction to a document and how this is handled by the redaction handling system.

In step ST701 the user indicates if the redaction which is about to be drawn is part of an existing redaction (entry item) subset.

In step ST702 the user makes the redaction and submits information to the system. In step ST703 details of the redaction and information are stored in the system and a redaction subset indicator is captured. That is to say if the user indicates that the redaction is part of an existing redaction entry subset this is captured.

In step ST704 the system determines whether the redaction is part of an existing redaction subset. This is based on whether a redaction subset indicator is present.

If the redaction is not part of an existing redaction subset then at step ST705 a new redaction subset ID is assigned to the redaction. Then in step ST706 the redaction panel on the document is labelled with the appropriate redaction subset ID label. These steps can be related to the example document shown in Figure 2. If we start with there being no redactions, then when the first redaction at the top left most portion of the document with label M1 is added to the document this path will be followed. There will be no indicator that the redaction is part of an existing redaction subset and so a new ID will be assigned to the redaction.

Returning now to the process flow, if in step ST704 it is determined that the redaction is part of an existing redaction subset then the existing redaction subset ID is assigned to the redaction. This is what would happen when the second upper most redaction as labelled M1 in Figure 2 were added if the first redaction mentioned above was already present.

Once it has been determined that the currently considered redaction is part of an existing redaction subset it becomes relevant to consider whether it is continuous with other redactions in that redaction subset. Thus in step ST708 it is determined whether the new redaction is continuous with an existing one in the redaction subset. Where this new redaction is not continuous with any existing redactions in the redaction subset then at step ST709 this new redaction is labelled with the appropriate redaction subset label.

This is what would occur for the second redaction labelled M1 as shown in Figure 2. That is to say whilst this redaction is in a subset where there is another redaction namely the first redaction in Figure 2 these two redactions are not continuous. Thus both are labelled using the appropriate redaction subset label based on the redaction subset ID.

On the other hand if in step ST708 it is determined that the new redaction is continuous with an existing one then in step ST710 a determination is made as to whether the new redaction is now a primary redaction in the continuous subset. In the present embodiment this is a determination of whether this new redaction is the upper most one in the continuous subset.

If we considered the two redaction panels associated with the label M2 in Figure 2, it can be seen that the one which is labelled is the upper most one. Thus if we were considering this redaction panel and the other one already existed then at step ST710 the determination would give a“yes” and the process would move to ST71 1 where any label from a previous primary redaction in the continuous subset would be removed and the new redaction would be labelled with the appropriate redaction subset label. That is to say the label from the lower redaction in the M2 pair would have been removed and the label to the upper left most one would be added.

On the other hand if we consider a situation where the upper left most M2 redaction panel was present first then when the second one was added it would be determined that this new one was not the primary redaction and therefore in step ST710 a“no” determination would be reached and the process would move to step ST712 and no label would be added.

As mentioned above in step ST708 examination is made as to whether a redaction is continuous with existing redactions in the redaction subset. In the present specification then determining whether redactions are continuous can include determining whether the redactions overlap with one another and/or are merely contiguous with one another. In the present embodiment then in fact the step of determining whether the redactions are continuous includes only determining whether the redactions overlap. It has been found computationally more straight forward to determine whether there is overlap and also determined that in practical circumstances this is sufficient to give the functionality desired. Whether there is overlap is determined at a pixel level and in practical

circumstances when a user draws a redaction panel on a document which should be considered as continuous with an existing redaction panel there will be overlap at this pixel level. Thus by determining continuousness by considering overlap good results are achieved whilst simplifying processing.

In the present system whether two redactions overlap is determined by

considering each redaction to be a rectangle defined by diagonally opposite corners (in this embodiment with the upper left corner and the lower right corner) as may be determined by the X, Y, width and height data in the redaction table (or otherwise where the redaction table stores slightly different information) and then looking to see whether there is overlap in terms of the pixels covered by the respective two rectangles.

As mentioned above, in step ST710 a determination is made as to whether the new redaction is primary in the continuous subset. Here use is made of consideration of an extreme of the redaction panels for deciding whether one is primary. In the present embodiment the upper left most corner of each redaction panel is considered. Again this may be carried out using the X and Y data as stored in the redaction table. That redaction panel 1 having the upper most, upper left corner is considered as primary in the continuous subset.

Figure 8 shows a flow chart illustrating the process which is undertaken if a user modifies a redaction. Here there are similar considerations to those when a user first adds a redaction as described above in relation to Figure 7.

At step ST801 the user modifies a redaction. In step ST802 details of the modification are stored on the system and any new redaction subset indicator is captured. That is to say if the user indicates that this redaction is now part of an existing redaction subset then this is captured.

In step ST803 it is determined whether the modified redaction is part of a redaction subset with plural members. If“no” then in step ST804 the redaction schedule is updated and/or history is retained. Then in step ST805 checks are carried out to ensure that the redaction is labelled in the document provided the redaction has not been deleted. Note that this step is necessary since as part of the modification the redaction may have been changed so that it is no longer part of a redaction subset with plural members whereas previously it was. Thus the redaction may have previously not required a label whereas now it might.

Returning to step ST803 where it is determined that the modified redaction is in a redaction subset with plural members then step ST806 it is determined whether there are any redactions left in the redaction subset. This consideration is necessary since the modification might have comprised deletion. Remember that details of previous redactions are retained even when these have been deleted. If there are no redactions left in the redaction subset which have not been deleted then the process returns to step ST804 as mentioned above.

On the other hand if in step ST806 it is determined that there are redactions left in the redaction subset then the process moves to step ST807 where it is

determined whether the modified redaction is continuous with others in the redaction subset. If“no” then the process moves to step ST708 where checks are made to ensure that the modified redaction on the document is labelled with the appropriate redaction subset label provided that the redaction has not been deleted as part of this process. This is because at this stage we are dealing with a redaction which is not continuous with others and therefore needs its own label.

It might have already had a label if it previously was not continuous. On the other hand if it was continuous with another redaction previously it might not have included a label. After step ST808 the process moves to step ST809 where a determination is made as to whether all remaining redactions in the redaction subset are continuous. This is dealing with the situation where the modification of the redaction under consideration may have been such as to break apart a previously continuous subset of redactions. This can be seen by considering a situation where there were originally three redactions which were all continuous and the one which has moved was the middle of those three which effectively joined the other two together. If this occurs then some additional labelling may be required.

If it is determined in step ST809 that all remaining redactions in the redactions subset are continuous then in step ST810 steps are taken to ensure that the primary redaction in the continuous subset has a label and any other labels in that subset are removed.

On the other hand if in step ST809 it is determined that the remaining redactions in the redaction subset are not continuous then in step ST81 1 primary redactions are determined in each continuous subset in the redaction subset and checks are made to ensure that each has a label and labels are removed from any others which are not now primary redactions.

Returning now to step ST807 if it is determined that the modified redaction is continuous with others in the redaction subset then in step ST808 it is determined which is the primary redaction in that continuous subset and checks are made to ensure it has a label and other labels are removed. This for example covers the situation where the modification of the redaction under consideration is such as to join together redactions which were previously separate. Thus we might have a situation where there were two redactions which were previously separate and this new one is introduced between those two joining the two together.

After this in step ST813 a determination is made as to whether all the redactions in the redaction subset are continuous. That is to say a determination is made as to whether there is one continuous subset. If so then the process moves to step ST814 where no further action is required. On the other hand if it is determined in step ST813 that the redactions are not all in one continuous subset then in step ST815 determination is made of the primary redaction in each continuous subset in the redaction subset and checks are made to ensure that each primary redaction has a label and labels are removed from others.

Note that in each of these processes when any given redaction is considered either when being added or modified, a first check can be made as to whether that redaction belongs to a redaction subset having plural members. Or to put this another way whether that redaction belongs to a group. This can be determined from the redaction schedule mapping table where any drawn redaction ID rows sharing a common redaction schedule ID are indicative of redactions which are part of such a group. Thus drawn redaction 69 and 71 as shown in Figure 6 share the redaction schedule ID 1066196 and are related to redaction schedule item M1 whereas drawn redactions ID 73 and 79 share the redaction schedule ID

1066197 and are both related to redaction schedule item M2.

Because in processing the redactions and labels a first determination can be made as to whether a redaction under consideration belongs to such a group processing can be saved since the subsequent steps need only be carried out in respect of redactions also in that group ie in that redaction subset.

Similarly when determining which redaction is a primary redaction then only those redactions in the continuous subset within the redaction subset need to be considered and thus again computation can be saved. Those redactions in a continuous subset will all share the same Primary dominant redactions as indicated in the Primary dominant redaction ID column in the Redaction Schedule Mapping table T3.

Thus overall the system accepts inputs from users in adding redactions to documents by drawing redaction panels over the document and making associated entries in a redaction schedule as well as inputs indicating a redaction subset (redaction schedule entry item) with which the redaction is associated. Using this input the system determines which redaction panels need to be labelled and how they should be labelled and allows output of a redacted document including the panels and labels and/or an accompanying redaction schedule. This may be displayed to a user on a screen, printed either physically or to a file, or output as a data set that includes the document, details of all the redactions and the redaction schedule. The output may be in a flattened form where all of the redaction panels are burnt into the document so irreversibly obscuring the under lying text/content or in a layered form where at least some of the redaction panels are in a flexible layer such content/text below at least one redaction panel may be viewed when desired.

Claims

1 . A redaction handling method for handling a main set of redaction panels in respect of at least one document, where there is at least one redaction subset which comprises a subset of the main set of redaction panels, the method comprising the steps of:

2. A method according to claim 1 further including handling an

accompanying redaction schedule which comprises a plurality of redaction entry items containing information about at least one associated redaction panel, a respective redaction entry item of the plurality being associated with each redaction panel, and there being a respective common redaction entry item associated with the redaction subset. In such a case the redaction subset indicator may comprise a redaction entry item indicator.

3. A redaction handling method according to claim 1 or claim 2 in which the step of determining whether a first redaction panel belonging to a first redaction subset is continuous with at least one other redaction panel in the first redaction subset comprises first identifying any redaction panels which belong to the first redaction subset.

4. A redaction handling method according to any preceding claim in which the method comprises the step of determining whether the first redaction panel belonging to the first redaction subset overlaps with at least one other redaction panel in the first redaction subset such that there is a overlapping set of redaction panels belonging to the first redaction subset of which overlapping set the first redaction panel is a part.

5. A redaction handling method according to claim 4 in which the step of determining whether a first redaction panel belonging to a first redaction subset overlaps with at least one other redaction panel in the first redaction subset comprises first identifying any redaction panels which belong to the first redaction subset.

6. A redaction handling method according to any preceding claim in which each redaction panel is a rectangle and the location data comprises, or allow the determination of, the location of diagonally opposite corners of the respective redaction panel.

7. A redaction handling method according to claim 4 or claim 5 in which the step of determining whether a first redaction panel belonging to a first redaction subset overlaps with at least one other redaction panel in the first redaction subset comprises determining the location and extent of the first redaction panel by identifying the location of diagonally opposite corners of the first redaction panel from the location data to define a rectangle corresponding to the first redaction panel, determining the location and extent of a second redaction panel by identifying the location of diagonally opposite corners of the first redaction panel from the location data to define a rectangle corresponding to the second redaction panel and determining whether the rectangles overlap.

8. A redaction handling method according to any preceding claim in which the redaction subset indicator comprises a redaction label panel which may be located within the redaction panel with which it is associated.

9. A redaction handling method according to any preceding claim in which the step of determining a primary redaction panel comprises determining a redaction panel, in a continuous set of redaction panels belonging to the first redaction subset of which continuous set the first redaction panel is a part, which is at an extreme edge or extreme corner of the continuous set.

10. A redaction handling method according to any preceding claim in which determining a primary redaction panel comprises determining a reference point in respect of each redaction panel in the continuous subset and further comprises determining the panel in the continuous subset for which the respective reference point is closest to an extremity in the document and setting that redaction panel as the primary redaction panel.

1 1. A redaction handling method according to any preceding claim in which the step of determining a primary redaction panel comprises the steps of determining the upper left most corner of each redaction panel in the continuous set, determining which of these corners is uppermost in the document, and hence which redaction panel is upper most and setting that upper most redaction panel as the primary redaction panel.

12. A redaction handling method according to any preceding claim comprising the step of displaying to the user at least one document overlaid with the set of redaction panels and redaction subset indicators. The method may comprise the step of displaying to the user the redaction schedule associated with the document.

13. A redaction handling method according to any preceding claim comprising the step of displaying to the user at least one document overlaid with the set of redaction panels and redaction subset indicators whilst allowing the user to view text/content present under at least some of the redaction panels if desired.

14. A redaction handling method according to any preceding claim comprising the step of flattening at least some of the redaction panels onto the underlying document such that the text/content under the redaction panels is permanently obscured.

15. A redaction handling method according to any preceding claim comprising the step of outputting as a dataset the at least one document, the location data for each redaction panel in the set, and the redaction subset indicator for each redaction in the set.

16. A redaction panel handling method for handling a main set of redaction panels in respect of at least one document and an accompanying redaction schedule which comprises a plurality of redaction entry items containing information associated with at least one associated redaction panel, a respective redaction entry item of the plurality being associated with each redaction panel, and there being at least one redaction subset which comprises a subset of the main set of redaction panels and which subset is associated with a respective common redaction entry item, the method comprising the steps of:

determining whether a first redaction panel belonging to a first redaction subset is continuous with at least one other redaction panel in the first redaction subset such that there is a continuous set of redaction panels belonging to the first redaction subset of which continuous set the first redaction panel is a part based on a comparison of the redaction location data and the redaction subset indicator data of the first redaction panel with at least one of the redaction location data and the redaction subset indicator data of the remaining redaction panels in the main set; and where there is a continuous set of redaction panels belonging to the first redaction subset of which continuous set the first redaction panel is a part, determining a primary redaction panel in the continuous set of redaction panels and assigning, in dependence on the redaction subset indicator data of the first redaction panel, a redaction entry item indicator for display along with the primary redaction panel;

17. A redaction handling system for handling a main set of redaction panels in respect of at least one document, where there is at least one redaction subset which comprises a subset of the main set of redaction panels, the system comprising at least one computer arranged under the control of software to: obtain access to redaction location data for each redaction panel in the main set, the location data defining a location and extent of the respective redaction panel in relation to the at least one document;

and where there is a continuous set of redaction panels belonging to the first redaction subset of which continuous set the first redaction panel is a part, determine a primary redaction panel in the continuous set of redactions and assign a redaction subset indicator for display along with the primary redaction panel; and where there is no continuous set of redactions belonging to the first redaction subset of which continuous set the first redaction panel is a part assign a redaction subset indicator for display along with the first redaction panel.

18. A redaction panel handling system for handling a main set of redaction panels in respect of at least one document and an accompanying redaction schedule which comprises a plurality of redaction entry items containing information about at least one associated redaction panel, a respective redaction entry item of the plurality being associated with each redaction panel, and there being at least one redaction subset which comprises a subset of the main set of redaction panels and which subset is associated with a respective common redaction entry item, the system comprising at least one computer arranged under the control of software to:

19. A computer program, or set of computer programs, comprising code portions that when loaded and run on a computer or set of computers cause the computer or set of computers to carry out a method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 16 or cause the computer or set of computers above to comprise a system as claimed in anyone of claims 17 to 18.

20. At least one machine readable data carrier carrying a one or more computer program as claimed in claim 19.