Automated Comb Detection and Removal in Scanned Forms
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Solution Overview
Problem
Automated processing of forms often struggles to identify and remove combs from scanned forms without prior knowledge of the original form's comb arrangement, which hinders efficient extraction and storage of information.
Innovation Solution
An automated method and apparatus that utilize horizontal and vertical line analysis to detect and remove combs from scanned images by generating confidence measures for possible comb shapes, discarding inappropriate lines, and extracting comb information for subsequent processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If automated line analysis is performed to identify combs without prior knowledge of comb arrangement, then the adaptability and versatility of the system is improved, but the device complexity and difficulty of detecting and measuring increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the comb detection problem into distinct phases: horizontal line identification, vertical line identification, intersection analysis, and confidence measure generation. Each phase processes specific line characteristics independently, making the complex overall task manageable through modular analysis steps that can be implemented systematically
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from analyzing individual lines in one dimension to examining the two-dimensional spatial relationships between horizontal and vertical lines. By analyzing intersections and patterns across both horizontal and vertical dimensions simultaneously, the system can identify comb structures that would be indetectable through single-dimensional analysis alone
2Measurement precision
If comprehensive line analysis is performed to accurately identify combs, then the measurement precision is improved, but the processing time and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements confidence measures that allow the system to process forms with high confidence using only partial analysis, while reserving comprehensive analysis for cases where confidence is lower. This selective application of analysis depth maintains high accuracy for clear cases while improving overall processing throughput by avoiding unnecessary exhaustive analysis on every form
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary horizontal line analysis before vertical line analysis, establishing a foundation of candidate horizontal lines that can be quickly evaluated. This preliminary structuring allows subsequent vertical line analysis to focus only on relevant regions, reducing overall processing time while maintaining comprehensive analysis where needed
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatus for detecting the presence of combs, determining their shape and removing the combs from a scanned form in an automated manner are described. Horizontal and vertical line feature analysis is combined with knowledge of the usual size, shape, and spacing characteristics of lines which form a comb. Vertical and horizontal lines failing to meet certain characteristics, e.g., size or shape characteristics, are eliminated from consideration. Vertical lines which do not intersect a horizontal line are also eliminated from consideration. Confidence measures for different possible comb shapes are generated and the most probable comb shapes as indicated by the confidence measures are included in a comb list. The comb list may be output for use in further processing, e.g., comb removal and/or data extraction processing.