PDF Image Extraction via Text Recognition and Newline Mapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional techniques fail to accurately extract vector graphic images from PDF documents, as they are typically scattered into small segments during extraction, losing vital information.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that perform a text recognition process on PDF documents, replacing images with contiguous newlines, storing their locations, converting pages to an image format, and extracting images based on these locations, allowing for accurate extraction of vector graphic images as single entities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional image extraction techniques are used on PDF documents, then extraction speed is improved, but image integrity deteriorates as vector graphic images are scattered into small segments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the PDF document processing into distinct stages: text recognition to identify image locations, conversion of pages to image format, and extraction based on stored location data. This segmented approach allows the system to maintain image integrity while achieving efficient extraction by processing different aspects of the document separately rather than attempting simultaneous extraction of all elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by performing text recognition first to identify and store image locations before actual image extraction occurs. This preliminary identification step creates a roadmap that guides the subsequent extraction process, ensuring that images are located and extracted as complete entities rather than being scattered during the extraction phase.
2Device complexity
If conventional extraction methods are used, then processing simplicity is improved, but information completeness deteriorates as vital information in vector graphic images is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary text recognition process that acts as a mediator between the PDF document structure and the image extraction process. This intermediary step identifies image locations and stores them as contiguous newline markers, creating a bridge that allows accurate location tracking without complicating the actual extraction process. The intermediary layer preserves information by mapping image positions before conversion to image format.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses copying by creating an image format version of each PDF page as an intermediate representation. This copy allows the extraction process to work with rasterized images while preserving the original vector graphic quality information. The copied image format serves as a working copy that maintains all visual information while enabling precise extraction based on previously stored location data.
3Manufacturing precision
If images are extracted as single entities, then image quality is improved, but extraction complexity increases due to location tracking requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by allowing the text recognition process to automatically identify and mark image locations within the document structure. The system serves itself by using the document's own text content as a reference to locate images, eliminating the need for external location tracking mechanisms. This self-service approach maintains image quality while managing complexity through automated location identification.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses parameter changes by transforming the representation of image locations from complex coordinate systems to simple contiguous newline markers during text recognition. This parameter transformation simplifies the location tracking data structure while maintaining the ability to accurately extract images as complete entities. The change in representation parameters reduces extraction complexity without sacrificing image quality.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and device for extracting images from PDF documents are disclosed. The method includes performing a text recognition process on a PDF document that includes one or more images. The text recognition process replaces the one or more images with a plurality of contiguous newlines. The method further includes storing a location of each of the one or more images within the PDF document based on occurrence of the plurality of contiguous newlines within the PDF document. The method includes converting each page of the PDF document to an image format in order to generate an image document corresponding to the PDF document. The method further includes extracting each of the one or more images from the image document based on the location stored for each of the one or more images within the PDF document.