Visual Data to Structured Format Conversion

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

There is no straightforward method to obtain an accurate structured data format representation from a visual representation of data, making it difficult to process and interpret data presented in a visual manner by humans in a format readable by computers.

Innovation Solution

A computer-implemented method that identifies cell data structures, merges overlapping cells, identifies immediate and distant neighbors, splits cells spanning multiple columns or rows, and creates filler cells to organize raw data into a structured data format, allowing for the conversion of visual data representations into structured data formats.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If data is presented in a visual representation format, then human interpretability is improved, but computer processing capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehuman interpretabilityVSAvoidcomputer processing capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSExtent of automation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary structured data format (such as HTML table structures) that serves as a bridge between visual representations and computer processing. The system extracts data from visual representations, organizes it into structured formats with defined schemas, and then enables computer processing through this intermediate structure, thus resolving the contradiction between human-readable visual formats and machine-processable structured data.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of manufacture

If a straightforward method is used to convert visual representations to structured data, then conversion simplicity is improved, but data accuracy deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconversion simplicityVSAvoiddata accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the system extracts data from visual representations, structures it according to predefined schemas, and then validates the structured data against the original visual representation and expected data patterns. This feedback loop ensures data accuracy while maintaining a systematic conversion process, resolving the contradiction between simple conversion methods and accurate data extraction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual, mechanical data extraction and verification processes with automated computational methods. The system uses algorithms to automatically extract data from visual representations, transform it into structured formats, and validate accuracy, thus achieving both simplicity in the conversion process and high data accuracy through automated intelligent processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS9075855B2Table synthesis from raw data

Publication Date: 2015.07.07 SYBASE INC

AI summary

A system, method, and computer program product for organizing a visual representation of data into a structured data format are presented. Steps for identifying cell data structures from raw data and creating a structured data format are disclosed.