Image to Text Conversion for Database Retrieval

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing image matching techniques are limited in their ability to efficiently match and retrieve images across diverse types, as they are not well-suited for use in large database systems optimized for text-based data.

Innovation Solution

Converting image data into text-based representations using numeric values mapped to text characters, allowing for the application of text processing methods like pattern matching and statistical analysis, enabling faster image look-up and retrieval in text-based storage systems.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If image matching is performed using traditional feature extraction and direct matching methods, then image similarity can be detected, but the system cannot efficiently operate in large text-optimized database systems

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to text-based database systemsVSAvoidimage retrieval efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical image processing system with a text-based processing system. Image data is converted into text representations (such as ASCII art or descriptive text) that can be stored and queried in traditional text-optimized database systems. This substitution allows the system to leverage existing text database infrastructure for image retrieval operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transforms the fundamental parameter representation of images from binary pixel data to text-based parameters. By converting image visual information into text format, the system changes the data type and storage format, enabling compatibility with text database systems while maintaining the ability to perform image matching and retrieval operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If image data is converted to text-based representations, then text processing methods can be applied for faster retrieval, but the complexity of the conversion process increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage retrieval speedVSAvoidconversion process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the image conversion process into distinct stages: feature extraction from the original image, conversion of features to text representations, and storage of text data. This segmentation allows each stage to be optimized independently and facilitates the application of text processing methods at the appropriate stage of the pipeline.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces text-based representations as an intermediary between the original image data and the database storage system. This intermediary layer enables the use of text processing algorithms for image retrieval while maintaining a structured conversion process that can be managed and optimized separately from both the image capture and database query operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS10185887B2Textual representation of an image

Publication Date: 2019.01.22 MICRO FOCUS IP DEV

AI summary

At least a computer-implemented method and an apparatus for processing an image are described. In examples, numeric values for at least one property of the image are determined. These values are then converted into at least one corresponding text character, said conversion being independent of any text content within the image. This enables a text representation of the image to be generated that contains said plurality of text characters. This text representation may be used to index and search for the image.