Document Object Symbol Legends with Automatic Grouping and Quantity Totals

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for analyzing documents, such as PDFs, lack an efficient way to automatically generate a legend or table summarizing object symbols, which are crucial for tasks like material take-off and punch lists, especially in construction and engineering, where manual annotation is time-consuming and error-prone.

Innovation Solution

A method for computerized presentation of a legend of object symbols on a document, involving the grouping of symbols by type, calculating cumulative quantities, and generating a legend with graphical representations and numerical values, which can be dynamically updated as the document changes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual annotation and analysis of object symbols is performed, then accuracy and detail can be maintained, but time consumption and labor requirements increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccuracy of object symbol analysisVSAvoidtime for manual annotation
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables automatic self-analysis of object symbols by processing document images, detecting symbols, extracting information, and generating legends without requiring manual human intervention for each step of the analysis process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Manual mechanical processes of symbol detection, information extraction, and legend generation are replaced with automated computer vision algorithms, data processing systems, and computational methods

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If automated legend generation is implemented, then productivity and efficiency improve, but system complexity and processing requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespeed of document analysisVSAvoidcomplexity of analysis system
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The complex document analysis process is divided into distinct manageable segments: image processing, symbol detection, information extraction, data processing, and legend generation, allowing each component to be optimized independently

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system employs universal processing mechanisms that can handle multiple types of object symbols and document formats through a single integrated platform, reducing overall system complexity despite increased functionality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Loss of information

If detailed object symbol analysis is performed, then information completeness improves, but processing time and computational resources increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompleteness of symbol informationVSAvoidprocessing time for analysis
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary processing of document images, including enhancement, segmentation, and pre-processing steps, to prepare data for subsequent analysis and reduce processing time during the main analysis phase

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The analysis process operates continuously without interruption, processing images and generating legends in real-time as documents are submitted, eliminating idle time and optimizing processing throughput

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Data Source

PatentEP4579515A1Method of computerized presentation of a legend of object symbols on a document
Publication Date: 2025.07.02 BLUEBEAM INC
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  • EP4579515A1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A method of computerized presentation of a legend of object symbols on a document. The method includes receiving a document having object symbols. Each object symbol includes a graphical representation, an object symbol type and an object type numerical value. The method includes generating one or more groups of object symbols of the one or more object symbols based upon the object symbol type of each of the object symbols. The method includes deriving a group cumulative quantity for each group of object symbols based upon the object type numerical value of each object symbol in each group of object symbols. The method includes generating a legend including a one or more legend entries corresponding to each of the one or more groups of object symbols. Each legend entry includes a group type symbol, the object symbol type, and a group cumulative quantity. The method includes displaying the legend.