Apparatus and method for the manipulation of image containing documents

• US 5,982,931 A
• Filed: 11/28/1997
• Issued: 11/09/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 06/07/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Mikio Ishimaru
• Original Assignee: Mikio Ishimaru
• Inventors: Ishimaru, Mikio
• Primary Examiner(s): SHALWALA, BIPIN H
• Application Number:
  US08/980,230
• Time in Patent Office: 711 Days
• Field of Search: 382/181, 382/217, 382/218, 382/219, 382/220, 382/222, 382/284, 382/294, 382/298, 382/300, 382/309, 379/100.13
• US Class Current: 382/218
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 30/192 using simultaneous comparisons or correlations of the image signals with a plurality of references
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 30/40 Document-oriented image-based pattern recognition

Abstract

An apparatus and method for manipulating a referenced document and a searched document containing images and descriptive text. The manipulation includes conversion of images and text into equivalent images which are standardized by utilizing predetermined design rules. The images are then compared and analyzed to determine similarities, partial similarities, and dissimilarities.

Claims

1. Apparatus comprising:

first means for providing an image capable of containing a first graphic image and a related text image;

conversion means for converting said related text image into an equivalent graphic image;

second means for providing a second graphic image;

comparison means for comparing said equivalent graphic image and said second graphic image provided thereto; and

output means for outputting the results of said comparison between said equivalent graphic image and said second graphic image.

4. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein:

said output means includes means for providing said results by showing the similarity in said graphic images.

5. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein:

said output means includes means for providing said results by showing the dissimilarity in said graphic images.

6. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein:

said output means includes means for providing said results by showing the partial similarity in said graphic images.

31. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said conversion means includes an equivalency lookup table for matching and converting a descriptive word in said related text image into a graphic image equivalent to said descriptive word.

32. The apparatus as claimed in claim 31, wherein said conversion means includes an electronic thesaurus for matching and converting said descriptive word in said related text image into a synonym.

2. Apparatus comprising:

first means for providing an image capable of containing a first graphic image and a related text image;

conversion means for converting said related text image into an equivalent graphic image;

second means for providing a second graphic image and a third graphic image;

combining means for combining said second graphic image with said third graphic image and providing a combined graphic image;

comparison means for comparing said equivalent graphic image and said combined graphic image; and

output means for outputting the results of said comparison between said equivalent graphic image and said combined graphic image.

3. Apparatus comprising:

first means for providing a first image capable of containing a first graphic image and a related first text image;

second means for providing a second image capable of containing a second graphic image and a related second text image;

conversion means for converting said first and second text images into respective first and second equivalent graphic images;

comparison means for comparing said first and second equivalent graphic images; and

output means for outputting the results of said comparison between said first and second equivalent graphic images.

7. The apparatus as claimed in claim 3 including:

identifying means for identifying the results of said comparison between said first and second equivalent graphic images as an equivalent text image.

8. Apparatus for the manipulation of documents comprising:

a reference input for providing a reference document containing a first image capable of containing a first graphic image and a related text image;

a conversion mechanism for converting said related text image into an equivalent graphic image;

a searched input for providing a searched document containing a second graphic image;

a comparison mechanism for comparing said equivalent graphic image to said second graphic image; and

an output for outputting the results of said comparison between said reference document and said searched document.

11. The apparatus as claimed in claim 8 wherein:

said output device includes a mechanism for providing said results by showing the similarity in said documents.

12. The apparatus as claimed in claim 8 wherein:

said output device includes a mechanism for providing said results by showing the dissimilarity in said documents.

13. The apparatus as claimed in claim 8 wherein:

said output device includes a mechanism for providing said results by showing the partial similarity in said documents.

9. Apparatus for the manipulation of documents comprising:

a reference input for providing a reference document containing an image capable of containing a first graphic image and a related text image;

a conversion mechanism for converting said related text image into an equivalent graphic image;

a searched input for providing a first searched document containing a second graphic image;

said searched input including a database for providing a second searched document containing a third graphic image;

a comparison mechanism configured to compare said first graphic image with said second graphic image and identifying similarities therebetween;

said comparison mechanism configured to compare said first graphic image with said third graphic image and for identifying similarities therebetween;

a combining mechanism for combining the identified similarities in said second graphic image and said third graphic image to provide a combined graphic image;

said comparison mechanism configured to compare said first graphic image with said combined graphic image; and

an output for outputting the results of said comparison between said reference document and said searched documents.

10. A system for the manipulation of documents capable of containing graphic images and text images, comprising:

a reference document input device for inputting a reference document containing a first image capable of containing a first graphic image and a related first text image;

a searched document input device for inputting a document to be searched containing a second image capable of containing a second graphic image and a second related text image;

a processing mechanism containing a first mechanism for converting said related first and second text images into respective first and second equivalent graphic images;

said processing mechanism containing a second mechanism for comparing said first and second equivalent graphic images and said first and second graphic images, and identifying similarities therebetween; and

an output device for outputting the results of said comparison between said graphic images.

14. The apparatus as claimed in claim 10 including:

an identifying mechanism for identifying the results of said comparison between said first and second equivalent graphic images as an equivalent text image and between said first and second graphic images as a further graphic image.

15. A system for the manipulation of documents capable of containing graphic images and text images, comprising:

a reference document input device for inputting a reference document containing a first image capable of containing a first graphic image in a first format and a text description of said first graphic image;

a searched document input device for inputting a plurality of documents to be searched containing a plurality of images capable of containing a plurality of graphic images in a plurality of formats with a plurality of respectively related text descriptions;

a processing unit containing a first unit for converting said first graphic image in said first format and said plurality of graphic images in said plurality of formats into a standard format;

said processing unit containing a second unit for converting said plurality of text descriptions into a plurality of equivalent graphic images respectively related to said first graphic image and said plurality of graphic images;

said processing unit containing a third unit for converting said plurality of equivalent graphic images into said standard format;

said processing unit containing a fifth unit for combining the similarities in said plurality of graphic images in different combinations;

said processing unit containing a sixth unit for comparing said first graphic image with the different combinations of said plurality of graphic images to identify the closest similarity between said first graphic image and said plurality of said graphic images and said combination of said plurality of said graphic images; and

an output device for identifying the single and combination of searched documents which are substantially similar and partially similar to said reference document.

16. A method for manipulating images comprising the steps of:

providing an image capable of containing a first graphic image and a related text image;

converting said related text image into an equivalent graphic image;

providing a second graphic image;

comparing said equivalent graphic image and said second graphic image; and

outputting the results of said comparison between said equivalent graphic image and said graphic second image.

19. The method as claimed in claim 16 including the step of:

providing said results by showing the similarity in said graphic images.

20. The method as claimed in claim 16 including the step of:

providing said results by showing the dissimilarity in said graphic images.

21. The method as claimed in claim 16 including the step of:

providing said results by showing the partial similarity in said graphic images.

17. A method for manipulating images comprising the steps of:

providing an image capable of containing a first graphic image and a related text image;

converting said related text image into an equivalent graphic image;

providing a second graphic image;

providing a third graphic image;

combining said second graphic image with said third graphic image to provide a combined graphic image;

comparing said equivalent graphic image and said combined graphic image; and

outputting the results of said comparison.

18. A method for manipulating images comprising the steps of:

providing a first image capable of containing a first graphic image and a related first text image;

providing a second image capable of containing a second graphic image and a related second text image;

converting said related first and second text images into respective first and second equivalent graphic images;

comparing said first and second equivalent graphic; and

outputting the results of said comparison between said first and second equivalent graphic images.

22. The method as claimed in claim 18 including the step of:

identifying the results of said comparison between said first and second equivalent graphic images as an equivalent text image.

23. A method for the manipulation of documents comprising the steps of:

providing a reference document containing a first image capable of containing a first graphic image and a related text image;

converting said related text image into an equivalent graphic image;

providing a searched document containing a second graphic image;

comparing said equivalent graphic image and said second graphic image; and

outputting the results of said comparison between said reference document and said searched document images.

26. The method as claimed in claim 23 including the step of:

providing said results by showing the similarity in said documents.

27. The method as claimed in claim 23 including the step of:

providing said results by showing the dissimilarity in said documents.

28. The method as claimed in claim 23 including the step of:

providing said results by showing the partial similarity in said documents.

24. A method for the manipulation of documents comprising the steps of:

providing a reference document containing an image capable of containing a first graphic image and a related text image;

converting said related text image into an equivalent graphic image;

providing a first searched document containing a second graphic image;

providing a second searched document containing a third graphic image;

comparing said equivalent graphic image and said second graphic image and identifying similarities therebetween;

comparing said equivalent graphic image and said third graphic image and identifying similarities therebetween;

combining the identified similarities in said second graphic image and said third graphic image to provide a combined graphic image;

comparing said equivalent graphic image and said combined graphic image; and

outputting the results of said comparison between said reference document and said searched documents.

25. A method for the manipulation of documents capable of containing graphic images and text images, comprising the steps of:

inputting a reference document capable of containing a first graphic image and a first text description related to said first graphic image;

inputting a document to be searched capable of containing a second graphic image and a second text description related to said second graphic image;

converting the text description related to one of said graphic images to be an equivalent graphic image;

comparing said equivalent graphic image and the other of said graphic images, and identifying similarities therebetween; and

outputting the results of said comparison between text description and said other of said graphic images.

29. The method as claimed in claim 25 including the step of:

identifying the results of said comparison between said equivalent graphic image and the other of said graphic images as an equivalent text image.

30. A method for the manipulation of documents capable of containing graphic images and text images, comprising the steps of:

inputting a reference document containing a first graphic image in a first format and a text description of said first graphic image;

inputting a plurality of documents to be searched containing a plurality of graphic images in a plurality of formats with a plurality of respectively related text descriptions;

converting said first graphic image in said first format and said plurality of graphic images in said plurality of formats into a standard format;

converting said plurality of respectively related text descriptions into a plurality of equivalent graphic images respectively related to said first graphic image and said plurality of graphic images;

converting said plurality of equivalent graphic images into said standard format;

comparing said first graphic image with said plurality of graphic images and identifying similarities between said first graphic image and said plurality of graphic images as similar graphic images;

combining said similar graphic images in different combinations;

comparing said first graphic image with said similar graphic images in different combinations to identify the closest similarity between said first graphic image and said similar graphic images; and

identifying the single and combination of searched documents which are substantially similar and partially similar to said reference document.

33. A method for the electronic manipulation of patent documents comprising the steps of:

providing a reference patent document capable of containing a first patent drawing and a first text related to said first patent drawing;

providing a searched patent document capable of containing a second patent drawing and a second text related to said second patent drawing;

converting the text related to one of said patent documents to be an equivalent graphic image;

comparing said equivalent graphic image and the other of said patent drawings, and identifying similarities therebetween; and

outputting the results of said comparison between the equivalent graphic image and said other of said patent drawings whereby a similarity between said reference patent document equivalent graphic image and said searched patent document drawing indicates a potential invalidity of said reference patent document and a similarity between said reference patent document drawing and said searched patent document equivalent graphic image indicates a possible infringement of said searched patent document.

34. The method for the electronic manipulation of patent documents as claimed in claim 33 wherein the step of:

providing said reference patent document provides an invention disclosure document.

35. The method for the electronic manipulation of patent documents as claimed in claim 33 wherein the step of:

providing said reference patent document provides a patent application document.

36. The method for the electronic manipulation of patent documents as claimed in claim 33 wherein the step of:

converting the text related to one of said patent documents to be an equivalent graphic image includes converting said first patent drawing to be in said equivalent graphic image.

37. The method for the electronic manipulation of patent documents as claimed in claim 33 including the step of:

converting said equivalent graphic image and the other of said patent drawings to the same format before said comparing step.

38. The method for the electronic manipulation of patent documents as claimed in claim 33 wherein said steps of:

providing a reference patent document provides a reference patent document containing a first text including a claim; and

providing a searched patent document provides a searched patent document containing a second text including a claim.

39. A method for the electronic manipulation of patent documents comprising the steps of:

providing a reference patent document capable of containing a first patent drawing and related text;

converting said related text into an equivalent graphic image;

providing a first searched patent document containing a second patent drawing;

providing a second searched patent document containing a third patent drawing;

comparing said equivalent graphic image and said second patent drawing and identifying similarities therebetween;

comparing said equivalent graphic image and said third patent drawing and identifying similarities therebetween;

combining the identified similarities in said second patent drawing and said third patent drawing to provide a combined graphic image;

comparing said equivalent graphic image and said combined graphic image; and

outputting the results of said comparison between said reference patent document and said searched patent documents whereby a similarity indicates potential obviousness of the reference patent document in view of the searched patent documents and a dissimilarity indicates potential unobviousness of the reference patent document in view of the searched patent documents.

40. The method for the electronic manipulation of patent documents as claimed in claim 39 wherein the step of:

providing said reference patent document provides an invention disclosure document.

41. The method for the electronic manipulation of patent documents as claimed in claim 39 wherein the step of:

providing said reference patent document provides a patent application document.

42. The method for the electronic manipulation of patent documents as claimed in claim 39 wherein said step of:

providing a reference patent document provides a reference patent document containing a related text including a claim.

43. The method for the electronic manipulation of patent documents as claimed in claim 39 wherein said step of:

converting the text related to one of said patent documents to be an equivalent graphic image includes converting said first patent drawing to be an equivalent graphic image.

44. The method for the electronic manipulation of patent documents as claimed in claim 39 including the step of:

converting said equivalent graphic image and said first and second patent drawings to the same format before said comparing step.

45. A method for the electronic manipulation of patent documents comprising the steps of:

providing a reference patent document capable of containing a first patent drawing and a related text;

converting said first patent drawing and said related text into an equivalent graphic image;

providing a first searched patent document containing a second patent drawing and a second related text;

providing a second searched patent document containing a third patent drawing and a third related text;

comparing said equivalent graphic image and said second patent drawing and identifying similarities therebetween;

comparing said equivalent graphic image and said third patent drawing and identifying similarities therebetween;

combining the identified similarities in said second patent drawing and said third patent drawing to provide a combined graphic image;

combining the second related text and the first related text to provide a combined text; and

outputting the results of said combining steps whereby a combined patent document is created having said combined graphic image and said combined text.

46. The method for the electronic manipulation of patent documents as claimed in claim 45 wherein the step of:

providing said reference patent document provides an invention disclosure document.

47. The method for the electronic manipulation of patent documents as claimed in claim 45 wherein the step of:

providing said reference patent document provides a patent application document.

48. The method for the electronic manipulation of patent documents as claimed in claim 45 wherein said step of:

providing a reference patent document provides a reference patent document containing a related text including a claim.

49. The method for the electronic manipulation of patent documents as claimed in claim 45 wherein the step of:

converting the text related to one of said patent documents to be an equivalent graphic image includes converting said first patent drawing to be in an equivalent graphic image to be compared with said second and third patent drawings.

50. The method for the electronic manipulation of patent documents as claimed in claim 45 including the step of:

converting said equivalent graphic image and said first and second patent drawings to the same format before said comparing step.

51. The method for the electronic manipulation of patent documents as claimed in claim 45 wherein the step of:

converting the text related to one of said patent documents to be an equivalent graphic image includes converting said first patent drawing to be an equivalent graphic image to be compared in said comparing step.

52. The method for the electronic manipulation of patent documents as claimed in claim 45 wherein said steps of:

providing a reference patent document provides a reference patent document containing a related text including a claim;

providing a first searched patent document provides a second related text including a claim;

providing a second searched patent document provides a third related text including a claim; and

combining the second related text and the first related text to provide a combined text including a claim.