US3930237A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method for automating the production of engineering documentation utilizing an integrated digital data base representation of the documentation
Assignee: Prime Computer Inc
•
Filing: 1974-03-07
•
Granted: 1975-12-30
•
Expires: 1994-03-07
Abstract
Abstract A method for automating the production of engineering documentation having at least one graphical entity thereon. The method utilizes an integrated digital data base representation of the engineering document. A symbolic identifier is placed on the document with respect to each graphical entity. The document is then electro-optically scanned to produce a digital representation of the document. Each symbolic identifier is recognized from the digital representation of the identifier. At least a portion of the digital data within a predetermined area positioned with respect to each symbolic identifier is deleted from the digital representation of the document. A correspondence is generated between each symbolic identifier and a particular entry in a symbol library and then a digital representation of the library symbol is substituted for the previously deleted digital data within the specific predetermined area. The resulting digital representation of the document with the substitution is stored as an integrated, digital data base. Thereafter the integrated digital data base can be used an an input to an automatic plotter to produce a perfectly plotted engineering document.
Inventors
- 👤 Philippe Villers
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 23:00
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F30/00; G06F2111/00; G06F2111/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 134
Claim 1
Independent Claim
123 words
A method for producing an integrated digital data base representing a document having at least one graphical entity thereon, said method comprising the steps of: 1. placing a symbolic identifier on the document with respect to each graphical entity thereon; 2. electro-optically scanning said document top produce a digital representation thereof, 3. recognizing the symbolic identifier from the digital representation thereof; 4. deleting at least a portion of the digital data within a predetermined area positioned with respect to each symbolic identifier; 5. generating a correspondence between each symbolic identifier and a particular entry in a symbol library; and, 6. substituting for the deleted digital data a digital representation of a library symbol corresponding to the particular symbolic identifier within said predetermined area.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
123 words
A method for producing an integrated digital data base representing a document having at least one graphical entity thereon, said method comprising the steps of: 1. placing a symbolic identifier on the document with respect to each graphical entity thereon; 2. electro-optically scanning said document top produce a digital representation thereof, 3. recognizing the symbolic identifier from the digital representation thereof; 4. deleting at least a portion of the digital data within a predetermined area positioned with respect to each symbolic identifier; 5. generating a correspondence between each symbolic identifier and a particular entry in a symbol library; and, 6. substituting for the deleted digital data a digital representation of a library symbol corresponding to the particular symbolic identifier within said predetermined area.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
drawing a substantially closed figure around each symbolic identifier, said substantially closed figure defining a data erase window;
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
drawing a substantially closed figure around each symbolic identifier, said substantially closed figure defining a data erase window;
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
placing a plurality of delineations on the document at predetermined positions with respect to each symbolic identifier, said delineations defining a data erase window;
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
placing a plurality of delineations on the document at predetermined positions with respect to each symbolic identifier, said delineations defining a data erase window;
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
10 words
electro-optically scanning said document to produce a digital representation thereof,
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
10 words
electro-optically scanning said document to produce a digital representation thereof,
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
10 words
electro-optically scanning said document top produce a digital representation thereof,
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
10 words
electro-optically scanning said document top produce a digital representation thereof,
Claim 11
Independent Claim
25 words
A method for producing an integrated digital data base representing a document having at least one graphical entity thereon, said method comprising the steps of:
Claim 12
Independent Claim
25 words
A method for producing an integrated digital data base representing a document having at least one graphical entity thereon, said method comprising the steps of:
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
10 words
electro-optically scanning said document to produce a digital representation thereof,
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
10 words
electro-optically scanning said document to produce a digital representation thereof,
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
10 words
electro-optically scanning said document to produce a digital representation thereof,
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
10 words
electro-optically scanning said document to produce a digital representation thereof,
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
37 words
drawing a substantially closed figure around each symbolic identifier, said closed figure defining a data erase window with at least one of said interconnecting line segments contacting the exterior portion of the perimeter of the closed figure;
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
37 words
drawing a substantially closed figure around each symbolic identifier, said closed figure defining a data erase window with at least one of said interconnecting line segments contacting the exterior portion of the perimeter of the closed figure;
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
10 words
electro-optically scanning said document to produce a digital representation thereof.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
10 words
electro-optically scanning said document to produce a digital representation thereof.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
39 words
drawing a substantially closed figure around each symbolic identifier, said substantially closed figure defining a data erase window with at least one of said interconnecting line segments contacting the exterior portion of the perimeter of the substantially closed figure;
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
39 words
drawing a substantially closed figure around each symbolic identifier, said substantially closed figure defining a data erase window with at least one of said interconnecting line segments contacting the exterior portion of the perimeter of the substantially closed figure;
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
10 words
electro-optically scanning said document to produce a digitized representation thereof;
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
10 words
electro-optically scanning said document to produce a digitized representation thereof;
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
10 words
electro-optically scanning said document to produce a digitized representation thereof;
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
10 words
electro-optically scanning said document to produce a digitized representation thereof;
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
9 words
recognizing the symbolic identifier from the digital representation thereof,
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
9 words
recognizing the symbolic identifier from the digital representation thereof,
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
10 words
electro-optically scanning said document to produce a digitized representation thereof;
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
10 words
electro-optically scanning said document to produce a digitized representation thereof;
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
10 words
electro-optically scanning said document to produce a digitized representation thereof;
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
10 words
electro-optically scanning said document to produce a digitized representation thereof;
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
9 words
recognizing the symbolic identifier from the digital representation thereof;
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
9 words
recognizing the symbolic identifier from the digital representation thereof;
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
9 words
recognizing the symbolic identifier from the digital representation thereof,
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
9 words
recognizing the symbolic identifier from the digital representation thereof,
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
9 words
recognizing the symbolic identifier from the digital representation thereof;
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
9 words
recognizing the symbolic identifier from the digital representation thereof;
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
9 words
recognizing the symbolIc identifier from the digital representation thereof;
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
9 words
recognizing the symbolIc identifier from the digital representation thereof;
Claim 41
Independent Claim
25 words
A method for producing an integrated digital data base representing a document having at least one graphical entity thereon, said method comprising the steps of:
Claim 42
Independent Claim
25 words
A method for producing an integrated digital data base representing a document having at least one graphical entity thereon, said method comprising the steps of:
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
20 words
deleting at least a portion of the digital data within a predetermined area positioned with respect to each symbolic identifier;
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
20 words
deleting at least a portion of the digital data within a predetermined area positioned with respect to each symbolic identifier;
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
20 words
deleting at least a portion of the digital data within a predetermined area positioned with respect to each symbolic identifier;
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
20 words
deleting at least a portion of the digital data within a predetermined area positioned with respect to each symbolic identifier;
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
20 words
deleting at least a portion of the digital data within a predetermined area positioned with respect to each symbolic identifier;
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
20 words
deleting at least a portion of the digital data within a predetermined area positioned with respect to each symbolic identifier;
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
20 words
deleting at least a portion of the digital data within a predetermined area positioned with respect to each symbolic identifier;
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
20 words
deleting at least a portion of the digital data within a predetermined area positioned with respect to each symbolic identifier;
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
13 words
recognizing the symbolic identifier and the existence of the data erase window; and,
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
13 words
recognizing the symbolic identifier and the existence of the data erase window; and,
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
12 words
recognizing the symbolic identifier and the existence of the data erase window;
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
12 words
recognizing the symbolic identifier and the existence of the data erase window;
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
20 words
deleting at least a portion of the digital data within a predetermined area positioned with respect to each symbolic identifier;
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
20 words
deleting at least a portion of the digital data within a predetermined area positioned with respect to each symbolic identifier;
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
12 words
recognizing the symbolic identifier and the existence of the substantially closed figure;
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
12 words
recognizing the symbolic identifier and the existence of the substantially closed figure;
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 3 wherein said symbol identifier comprises a machine recognizable symbol flag and a machine recognizable symbol identification alphanumeric.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
12 words
recognizing the symbolic identifier and the existence of the substantially closed figure;
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
12 words
recognizing the symbolic identifier and the existence of the substantially closed figure;
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
15 words
generating a correspondence between each symbolic identifier and a particular entry in a symbol library;
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
15 words
generating a correspondence between each symbolic identifier and a particular entry in a symbol library;
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
14 words
deleting at least a portion of the digital data within the data erase window;
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
14 words
deleting at least a portion of the digital data within the data erase window;
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
14 words
deleting at least a portion of the digital data within the data erase window;
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
14 words
deleting at least a portion of the digital data within the data erase window;
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
14 words
deleting at least a portion of the digital data within the data erase window;
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
14 words
deleting at least a portion of the digital data within the data erase window;
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
15 words
generating a correspondence between each symbolic identifier and a particular entry in a symbolic library;
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
15 words
generating a correspondence between each symbolic identifier and a particular entry in a symbolic library;
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
16 words
generating a correspondence between each symbolic identifier and a particular entry in a symbol library; and,
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
16 words
generating a correspondence between each symbolic identifier and a particular entry in a symbol library; and,
Claim 74
Dependent Claim
16 words
generating a correspondence between each symbolic identifier and a particular entry in a symbol library; and,
Claim 75
Dependent Claim
16 words
generating a correspondence between each symbolic identifier and a particular entry in a symbol library; and,
Claim 76
Dependent Claim
15 words
generating a correspondence between each symbolic identifier and a particular entry in a symbol library;
Claim 77
Dependent Claim
15 words
generating a correspondence between each symbolic identifier and a particular entry in a symbol library;
Claim 78
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 4 wherein said substituted library symbol is positioned with respect to said symbol flag.
Claim 79
Dependent Claim
14 words
deleting at least a portion of the digital data within the data erase window;
Claim 80
Dependent Claim
14 words
deleting at least a portion of the digital data within the data erase window;
Claim 81
Dependent Claim
24 words
substituting for the deleted digital data a digital representation of a library symbol corresponding to the particular symbolic identifier within said predetermined area; and,
Claim 82
Dependent Claim
24 words
substituting for the deleted digital data a digital representation of a library symbol corresponding to the particular symbolic identifier within said predetermined area; and,
Claim 83
Dependent Claim
23 words
substituting for the deleted digital data a digital representation of a library symbol corresponding to the particular symbolic identifier within said predetermined area.
Claim 84
Dependent Claim
23 words
substituting for the deleted digital data a digital representation of a library symbol corresponding to the particular symbolic identifier within said predetermined area.
Claim 85
Dependent Claim
28 words
substituting for the deleted digital data a digital representation of a library symbol corresponding but not visually related to the particular symbolic identifier with said predetermined area; and,
Claim 86
Dependent Claim
28 words
substituting for the deleted digital data a digital representation of a library symbol corresponding but not visually related to the particular symbolic identifier with said predetermined area; and,
Claim 87
Dependent Claim
16 words
generating a correspondence between each symbol identifier and a particular entry in the symbol library; and,
Claim 88
Dependent Claim
16 words
generating a correspondence between each symbol identifier and a particular entry in the symbol library; and,
Claim 89
Dependent Claim
27 words
substituting for the deleted digital data a digital representation of a library symbol corresponding but not visually related to the particular symbolic identifier within said predetermined area.
Claim 90
Dependent Claim
27 words
substituting for the deleted digital data a digital representation of a library symbol corresponding but not visually related to the particular symbolic identifier within said predetermined area.
Claim 91
Independent Claim
25 words
A method for producing an integrated digital data base representing a document having at least one graphical entity thereon, said method comprising the steps of:
Claim 92
Independent Claim
25 words
A method for producing an integrated digital data base representing a document having at least one graphical entity thereon, said method comprising the steps of:
Claim 93
Dependent Claim
16 words
generating a correspondence between each symboLic identifier and a particular entry in a symbol library; and,
Claim 94
Dependent Claim
16 words
generating a correspondence between each symboLic identifier and a particular entry in a symbol library; and,
Claim 95
Dependent Claim
23 words
substituting for the deleted digital data a digital representation of a library symbol corresponding to the particular symbolic identifier with said predetermined area;
Claim 96
Dependent Claim
23 words
substituting for the deleted digital data a digital representation of a library symbol corresponding to the particular symbolic identifier with said predetermined area;
Claim 97
Dependent Claim
16 words
generating a correspondence between each symbolic identifier and a particular entry in a symbol library; and,
Claim 98
Dependent Claim
16 words
generating a correspondence between each symbolic identifier and a particular entry in a symbol library; and,
Claim 99
Dependent Claim
15 words
generating a correspondence between each symbolic identifier and a particular entry in a symbol library;
Claim 100
Dependent Claim
15 words
generating a correspondence between each symbolic identifier and a particular entry in a symbol library;
Claim 101
Dependent Claim
28 words
substituting for the deleted digital data a digital representation of a library symbol corresponding but not visually related to the particular symbolic identifier within said data erase window.
Claim 102
Dependent Claim
28 words
substituting for the deleted digital data a digital representation of a library symbol corresponding but not visually related to the particular symbolic identifier within said data erase window.
Claim 103
Dependent Claim
48 words
substituting for the deleted digital data a digital representation of a symbol from the symbol library which corresponds but is not visually related to the particular symbolic identifier within the data erase window, said substituted symbol being positioned with respect to said at least one line segment; and,
Claim 104
Dependent Claim
48 words
substituting for the deleted digital data a digital representation of a symbol from the symbol library which corresponds but is not visually related to the particular symbolic identifier within the data erase window, said substituted symbol being positioned with respect to said at least one line segment; and,
Claim 105
Dependent Claim
28 words
substituting for the deleted digital data a digital representation of a library symbol corresponding but not visually related to the particular symbolic identifier within said data erase window.
Claim 106
Dependent Claim
28 words
substituting for the deleted digital data a digital representation of a library symbol corresponding but not visually related to the particular symbolic identifier within said data erase window.
Claim 107
Dependent Claim
16 words
storing the digital representation of said document with said substitution as an integrated data base; and,
Claim 108
Dependent Claim
16 words
storing the digital representation of said document with said substitution as an integrated data base; and,
Claim 109
Dependent Claim
15 words
storing the digital representation of said document with said substitution as an integrated data base.
Claim 110
Dependent Claim
15 words
storing the digital representation of said document with said substitution as an integrated data base.
Claim 111
Independent Claim
25 words
A method for producing an integrated digital data base representing a document having at least one graphical entity thereon, said method comprising the steps of:
Claim 112
Independent Claim
25 words
A method for producing an integrated digital data base representing a document having at least one graphical entity thereon, said method comprising the steps of:
Claim 113
Dependent Claim
42 words
substituting for the erased digital data a digital representation of a symbol from a symbol library which corresponds to the particular symbolic identifier within the data erase window, said substituted symbol being positioned with respect to said at least one line segment.
Claim 114
Dependent Claim
42 words
substituting for the erased digital data a digital representation of a symbol from a symbol library which corresponds to the particular symbolic identifier within the data erase window, said substituted symbol being positioned with respect to said at least one line segment.
Claim 115
Dependent Claim
15 words
storing the digital representation of said document with said substitution as an integrated data base.
Claim 116
Dependent Claim
15 words
storing the digital representation of said document with said substitution as an integrated data base.
Claim 117
Dependent Claim
18 words
utilizing the stored, integrated data base as an input to an automatic plotter to produce an engineering document.
Claim 118
Dependent Claim
18 words
utilizing the stored, integrated data base as an input to an automatic plotter to produce an engineering document.
Claim 119
Dependent Claim
15 words
storing the digital representation of said document with said substitution as an integrated data base.
Claim 120
Dependent Claim
15 words
storing the digital representation of said document with said substitution as an integrated data base.
Claim 121
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 7 wherein said symbol identifier comprises a machine recognizable symbol flag and a machine recognizable symbol identification alphanumeric.
Claim 122
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 8 wherein said substituted library symbol is positioned with respect to said symbol flag.
Claim 123
Independent Claim
30 words
A method for producing a digital data base representing a document having a plurality of graphical symbols interconnected by a plurality of line segments, said method comprising the steps of:
Claim 124
Independent Claim
30 words
A method for producing a digital data base representing a document having a plurality of graphical symbols interconnected by a plurality of line segments, said method comprising the steps of:
Claim 125
Independent Claim
31 words
A method for producing an integrated digital data base representing a document having a plurality of graphical symbols interconnected by a plurality of line segments, said method comprising the steps of:
Claim 126
Independent Claim
31 words
A method for producing an integrated digital data base representing a document having a plurality of graphical symbols interconnected by a plurality of line segments, said method comprising the steps of:
Claim 127
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 11 wherein said substantially closed figure is substantially rectangular.
Claim 128
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 11 wherein said symbol identifier comprises a machine recognizable symbol flag and a machine recognizable symbol identification alphanumeric.
Claim 129
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 14 wherein said substituted library symbol is positioned with respect to said symbol flag.
Claim 130
Independent Claim
32 words
A method for automating the production of engineering documents utilizing an integrated digital data base representing an engineering document having at least one graphical entity thereon, said method comprising the steps of:
Claim 131
Independent Claim
32 words
A method for automating the production of engineering documents utilizing an integrated digital data base representing an engineering document having at least one graphical entity thereon, said method comprising the steps of:
Claim 132
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 15 further comprising the steps of integrating a digital representation of textural material with the digital representation of the document.
Claim 133
Independent Claim
25 words
A method for producing an integrated digital data base representing a document having at least one graphical entity thereon, said method comprising the steps of:
Claim 134
Independent Claim
25 words
A method for producing an integrated digital data base representing a document having at least one graphical entity thereon, said method comprising the steps of:
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3529298A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-12-29 | 1979-06-30 | 1979-12-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-12-29 | 1983-06-30 | 1983-12-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-12-29 | 1987-06-30 | 1987-12-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |