Document Template Creation Using Rectangle Extraction and ID Assignment

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing image processing systems face difficulties in efficiently creating and managing templates for documents with entry fields, requiring multiple document readings and template recreations when changing entry data locations or contents.

Innovation Solution

An image processing apparatus with a rectangle extracting section, identification information assigning section, and box information creating section that extracts rectangle-representing images, assigns identification information, and creates box information for entry fields, allowing for easy specification and storage of document templates with associated data, enabling efficient synthesis of character data within specified areas.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple document readings and template recreations are performed when changing entry data locations or contents, then the document template can be updated, but the processing time and operational complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemplate modification capabilityVSAvoidprocessing time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system creates a digital template copy that stores the structural information (rectangle positions, sizes, and identification) of entry fields. This template can be modified and reused without re-reading the original document, eliminating the need for repeated document scanning and template recreation while maintaining adaptability to different entry data requirements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary extraction of rectangle-representing images and their identification information during the initial document reading. This pre-extracted structural data is stored in the template, enabling future modifications to entry data locations or contents without requiring additional document readings, thus reducing processing time for template updates

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple document readings and template recreations are performed when changing entry data locations or contents, then the document template can be updated, but the operational complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemplate modification capabilityVSAvoidoperational complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system creates a digital template copy that stores the structural information (rectangle positions, sizes, and identification) of entry fields. This template can be modified and reused without re-reading the original document, eliminating the need for repeated document scanning and template recreation while maintaining adaptability to different entry data requirements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary extraction of rectangle-representing images and their identification information during the initial document reading. This pre-extracted structural data is stored in the template, enabling future modifications to entry data locations or contents without requiring additional document readings, thus reducing processing time for template updates

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Measurement precision

If rectangle-representing images are extracted and identification information is assigned to each rectangle, then the precision of entry field identification is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveentry field identification precisionVSAvoidprocessing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the document image into multiple rectangle-representing images, each corresponding to a specific entry field. By dividing the document into discrete rectangular regions and assigning unique identification information to each, the system achieves precise entry field identification while managing complexity through systematic segmentation rather than holistic processing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system introduces an intermediary template structure that stores the relationship between rectangle-representing images and their identification information. This template acts as a mediator between the extracted graphical data and the entry field definitions, enabling precise identification without requiring complex direct mapping logic in the processing system

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS10270934B2Image processing apparatus and image forming apparatus

Publication Date: 2019.04.23 KYOCERA DOCUMENT SOLUTIONS INC

AI summary

An image processing apparatus includes: a display section; an image reading section; a rectangle extracting section that extracts a rectangle-representing image from a document image acquired from reading by the image reading section and detects a size and a location of the rectangle-representing image in the document image; an identification information assigning section that sequentially assigns a piece of identification information to the extracted rectangle-representing image; a display control section; an operation acceptance section; a box information creating section that associates the rectangle-representing image specified as a box the size and location of the rectangle-representing image in the document image, and the piece of identification information assigned to the rectangle-representing image with each other to create a piece of box information on the box; a storage section; and a control section that allows the storage section to store a template containing the document image and the piece of box information.