Automated method for creating templates in a forms recognition and processing system

• US 5,317,646 A
• Filed: 03/24/1992
• Issued: 05/31/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 03/24/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Xerox Corporation (Xerox Holdings Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Xerox Corporation (Xerox Holdings Corp.)
• Inventors: Sang, Henry W. Jr., Tahn, Whei-Tsu H., Zhang, Xiao B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Moore, David K.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Cammarata, Michael
• Application Number:
  US07/856,434
• Time in Patent Office: 798 Days
• Field of Search: 382/61, 382/33, 382/9, 382/22, 382/48, 382/63, 395/148, 395/149
• US Class Current: 382/175
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 18/40 Software arrangements specially adapted for pattern recognition, e.g. user interfaces or toolboxes therefor

Abstract

A forms recognition system having a method which assists an operator in creating an electronic template. The automated method would allow an operator to view an electronic bitmap of a master or blank form on a graphical display, the master form having bounded or semi-bounded regions depicting fields. An operator would display the bitmap, select a single point within a bounded or semi-bounded region on the bitmap with a pointing device, and the coordinates representing the bounded region would be automatically determined using the single point selected by the operator.

Claims

1. A method for assisting creation of an electronic template in a forms recognition system, said forms recognition system having a graphical display and a pointing device, including the steps of:

a) scanning a master form having plural regions indicating fields wherein said fields are devoid of data, said scanning creating a master bitmap;

b) displaying said master bitmap on said graphical display;

c) selecting a single point within a first region with said pointing device;

d) expanding automatically about said single point to determine coordinates of a second region which approximates said first region;

e) storing said coordinates of said second region, said coordinates to be used in assisting creation of said electronic template; and

f) repeating steps c through e for each of said plural regions on said master form.

2. A method according to claim 1 further including the step of selecting an object definition prior to expanding about said single point.

3. A method according to claim 1 wherein said first region is bounded.

4. A method according to claim 3 wherein said first region which is bounded is also rectangular.

5. A method according to claim 3 wherein said first region which is bounded is also circular.

6. A method according to claim 3 wherein said first region which is bounded is also elliptical.

7. A method for assisting creation of an electronic template in a forms recognition system, said forms recognition system having a graphical display and a pointing device, including the steps of:

a) scanning a master form having plural regions indicating fields wherein said fields are devoid of data, said scanning creating a master bitmap;

b) displaying said master bitmap on said graphical display;

c) selecting a single point within a first region with said pointing device;

d) expanding automatically about said single point to determine a rectangle within said first region about said point;

e) moving said single point automatically to the center of said rectangle;

f) repeating steps d and e until coordinates of a second region which approximates said first region are found, wherein said second region is a maximum rectangular approximation of said first region;

g) storing said coordinates of said second region, said coordinates to be used in assisting creation of said electronic template; and

h) repeating steps c through g for each of said plural regions on said master.

8. A method according to claim 7 further including the step of selecting an object definition prior to expanding about said single point.

9. A method according to claim 7 wherein said first region is bounded.

10. A method according to claim 9 wherein said first region which is bounded is also rectangular.

11. A method according to claim 9 wherein said first region which is bounded is also circular.

12. A method according to claim 9 wherein said first region which is bounded is also elliptical.

13. A method for assisting creation of an electronic template in a forms recognition system, said forms recognition system having a graphical display and a pointing device, including the steps of:

a) scanning a master from having plural regions indicating fields wherein said fields are devoid of data, said scanning creating a master bitmap;

b) displaying said master bitmap on said graphical display;

c) selecting a single point within a first irregular region with said pointing device;

d) expanding automatically about said single point to determine a first regular region within said first irregular region about said point;

e) moving said single point automatically to the center of said first regular region;

f) repeating steps d and e until coordinates of a maximum regular region within said first irregular region are found;

g) storing said coordinates of said maximum regular region within said first irregular region, said coordinates to be used in assisting creation of said electronic template; and

h) repeating steps c through g for each of said plural regions on said master.

14. A method according to claim 13 further including the step of selecting an object definition prior to expanding about said single point.

15. A method according to claim 13 wherein said first irregular region is bounded.

16. A method according to claim 15 wherein said maximum regular region is rectangular.

17. A method according to claim 15 wherein said maximum regular region is circular.

18. A method according to claim 15 wherein said maximum regular region is elliptical.