Digitized Form Marking Removal via Digital Image Analysis

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional digitized documents struggle with modifying or removing handwritten content, making it difficult to correct mistakes without obtaining a new copy of the document.

Innovation Solution

A computing device detects marked fields on a digitized form and removes mistaken marks by analyzing the digital image, identifying markings contrary to set rules, and modifying the image to unmark the fields.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a user makes a mistake when filling out a paper form with a pen, then the user must obtain a new copy of the form to fill out again from scratch, but this process is time consuming and may be impossible if a clean copy does not exist

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of correctionVSAvoidtime for obtaining new copy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a digital copy of the paper form and enables editing of this digital version. The system detects markings on the digitized form and allows users to correct mistakes by removing or modifying markings on the digital copy, eliminating the need to obtain physical reprints of the form.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical process of physically obtaining a new paper form with a digital system. The computing device detects markings on the digitized form and provides tools to remove or modify them, substituting the manual copying process with automated digital detection and editing capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If conventional digitized documents are used, then text can be searched and modified through OCR, but handwritten content cannot be easily modified or removed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemodifiability of contentVSAvoidease of marking removal

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different processing methods to different types of content. Computer-generated text is processed through OCR for searching and modification, while handwritten markings are detected through image processing and can be selectively removed or modified. This local differentiation allows each content type to be handled according to its specific characteristics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the parameter of mark detectability by analyzing visual characteristics of markings such as color, thickness, and position. By detecting these parameters, the system can distinguish between valid form markings and errors, enabling selective removal or modification of markings while preserving legitimate content.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS12314657B2Techniques for modifying markings on a digitized document

Publication Date: 2025.05.27 CITRIX SYSTEMS INC

AI summary

Techniques performed by a computing device are provided. A method includes (a) locating, by the computing device, a portion of a digital image that depicts fields of a paper form, the fields including markings; (b) identifying, by the computing device, a marking within one of the fields of the paper form as being contrary to a set of rules; and (c) modifying, by the computing device, the digital image to remove the identified marking from the digital image, so that the portion of the digital image depicts the one field of the paper form as being unmarked. An apparatus and computer program product for performing a similar method are also provided.