Automated P&ID Digitization via OCR and Database Association

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for digitizing P&ID drawings are inefficient, leading to errors and low accuracy in material calculation and design compatibility, requiring manual re-creation of drawings and lengthy processes for updating and checking compatibility.

Innovation Solution

A method for automatically recognizing and classifying design information from imaged P&ID drawings, using OCR and database association to extract symbols, lines, and text, and generating compatible XML files for rapid digitization and accurate material estimation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual digitization of P&ID drawings is performed, then design information can be converted to digital format, but the process is time-consuming and error-prone

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccuracy of material calculationVSAvoidtime required for digitization
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical digitization processes with automated optical character recognition (OCR) technology and computer vision algorithms. The system automatically recognizes symbols, lines, and text in P&ID drawings, extracts design information, and converts it to structured digital data, eliminating the need for manual transcription and significantly reducing errors while accelerating the digitization process

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates accurate digital copies of P&ID drawing information by using OCR to recognize and extract text, and by using image processing techniques to replicate symbols and graphical elements. This automated copying process preserves the original design information's accuracy while transforming it into machine-readable formats for further processing and analysis

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Reliability

If manual checking of design compatibility is performed, then errors can be detected, but the process is inefficient and scales poorly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedesign compatibility accuracyVSAvoidchecking efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements automated feedback mechanisms where the digitized design information is systematically compared against compatibility rules, standards, and requirements. The system automatically detects inconsistencies, validates design parameters, and provides feedback on compatibility issues, enabling rapid and accurate validation that scales efficiently with project size

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs self-validation of design compatibility by automatically checking extracted P&ID information against predefined standards and requirements. The automated process eliminates the need for manual review while maintaining high accuracy in detecting compatibility issues, allowing the system to serve its own validation needs efficiently

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Manufacturing precision

If all material items are created manually during drafting, then complete design documentation is produced, but unnecessary time is consumed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompleteness of design informationVSAvoiddrawing creation speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary extraction and structuring of design information from P&ID drawings before the actual drafting process. By pre-processing the image data, recognizing all relevant elements, and organizing them into structured formats, the system prepares complete design information in advance, eliminating the need for time-consuming manual creation during drafting while ensuring completeness

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS11756323B2Method of automatically recognizing and classifying design information in imaged PID drawing and method of automatically creating intelligent PID drawing using design information stored in database
Publication Date: 2023.09.12 DOFTECH CO LTD
  • US11756323B2 patent drawing
  • US11756323B2 patent drawing
  • US11756323B2 patent drawing

AI summary

An aspect of the present disclosure provides a method of recognizing and classifying design information by automatically digitizing an imaged P&ID drawing to digitize design information by totaling design elements with high accuracy within a short time, and another aspect of the present disclosure is to obtain an imaged P&ID drawing or a database stored in a text form as a digitized drawing by modeling a symbol, line, and text in an intelligent P&ID, thereby accurately and rapidly quoting a price and accurately checking compatibility between different design products.