Implicit Table Extraction from Richly Formatted Documents

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods fail to accurately extract implicit tables from richly formatted documents, such as scanned files and web pages, which are composite organic typesettings of various components like titles, text chapters, and images.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus utilizing a deep convolutional neural network to perform table detection, through-line drawing, and table-cell merging processes, acquiring richly formatted documents, and employing preset models to obtain explicit table content by identifying and processing table tags, through-line tags, and short-line tags.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If traditional extraction methods are used on richly formatted documents, then the extraction process is simple, but the accuracy of extracting implicit tables is poor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveextraction accuracyVSAvoidextraction system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The extraction system is segmented into three independent modules: table detection model, through-line drawing model, and table-cell merging model. Each module performs a specific function in the extraction pipeline, allowing the system to handle complex implicit table structures through sequential processing stages while maintaining modularity and manageability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The through-line drawing model serves as an intermediary between table detection and table-cell merging. It generates through-line tags that act as intermediate structural information, bridging the gap between detecting implicit table regions and merging table cells, thereby enabling accurate reconstruction of implicit table layouts.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If manual extraction methods are used, then the extraction accuracy can be maintained, but the extraction efficiency is low

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveextraction efficiencyVSAvoidextraction accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical extraction processes with automated deep learning models. The table detection model, through-line drawing model, and table-cell merging model collectively automate the entire extraction pipeline, substituting human operators with intelligent algorithms that achieve both high efficiency and high accuracy simultaneously.

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

3Reliability

If simple extraction algorithms are used, then the processing speed is fast, but the ability to handle implicit tables is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimplicit table extraction capabilityVSAvoidprocessing time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The table detection model performs preliminary action by detecting and marking implicit table regions before the through-line drawing and cell merging processes. This preliminary detection creates a foundation that guides subsequent processing steps, ensuring that implicit tables are identified and handled appropriately throughout the extraction pipeline.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The extraction process maintains continuity through three sequential models that work without interruption: table detection identifies implicit tables, through-line drawing reconstructs table structures, and table-cell merging finalizes the extraction. This continuous pipeline ensures implicit tables are processed reliably while minimizing idle time between operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Data Source

PatentUS10963632B2Method, apparatus, device for table extraction based on a richly formatted document and medium
Publication Date: 2021.03.30 PAI TECH CO LTD
  • US10963632B2 patent drawing
  • US10963632B2 patent drawing
  • US10963632B2 patent drawing

AI summary

The disclosure discloses a method, apparatus, device for table extraction based on a richly formatted document and medium. The method comprises: acquiring page content; performing a table detection process on the page content by use of a preset table detection model to obtain a list of table tags, and to obtain a first table content; performing, by use of a preset through-line drawing model, a through-line drawing process on the first table content to obtain a list of through-line tags, and to obtain a second table content; and performing, by use of a preset table-cell merging model, a table-cell merging process on the second table content to obtain a list of short-line tags, and to obtain an explicit table content.