Document Data Extraction Using Segmentation and NER Models

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for extracting data from template-based documents face challenges due to the inability of natural language processing (NLP) to understand structural layout and computer vision's difficulty in recognizing the true meaning of segmented portions, leading to inaccurate data extraction.

Innovation Solution

A system employing a computer vision-based image segmentation deep learning model and an NLP-based named entity recognition (NER) deep learning model to segment and classify document elements, followed by OCR text extraction and NER processing, combining both techniques for accurate data extraction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If NLP is used to scan and recognize document content, then text recognition is performed, but the structural layout information cannot be understood or leveraged

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetext recognition accuracyVSAvoidstructural layout information
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the document processing into two distinct stages: first using computer vision to segment the document into discrete portions based on visual appearance, then using NLP to process each segment. This segmentation allows structural layout information to be preserved and utilized while performing text recognition.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces computer vision as an intermediary between the document and NLP processing. The computer vision component extracts visual features and structural information, which then serve as input for NLP processing, enabling both layout understanding and text recognition.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If computer vision is used to segment document into discrete portions, then visual appearance is utilized, but the true meaning of each segmented portion cannot be understood

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesegment classification accuracyVSAvoidsemantic meaning information
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges computer vision and NLP techniques into a unified processing pipeline. Computer vision segments and classifies document portions based on visual appearance, while NLP processes the same portions to extract semantic meaning. The combination of both approaches enables accurate classification and understanding of segmented portions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Shape

If computer vision segments document based on visual appearance, then layout structure is captured, but similar-looking fields cannot be distinguished

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevisual structure recognitionVSAvoidfield type classification accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses NLP as an intermediary to disambiguate visually similar fields. After computer vision segments and classifies portions based on visual appearance, NLP processes the text content to provide semantic context that distinguishes between similar-looking fields such as invoice number versus invoice date.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS11630956B2Extracting data from documents using multiple deep learning models
Publication Date: 2023.04.18 JADE GLOBAL INC
  • US11630956B2 patent drawing
  • US11630956B2 patent drawing
  • US11630956B2 patent drawing

AI summary

Techniques for automatically extracting data from documents using multiple deep learning models are provided. According to one set of embodiments, a computer system can receive a document in an electronic format and can segment, using an image segmentation deep learning model, the document into a plurality of segments, where each segment corresponds to a visually discrete portion of the document and is classified as being one of a plurality of types. The computer system can then, for each segment in the plurality of segments, retrieve text in the segment using optical character recognition (OCR) and extract data in the segment from the retrieved text using a named entity recognition (NER) deep learning model, where the retrieving and the extracting are performed in a manner that takes into account the segment's type.