US5317646A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automated method for creating templates in a forms recognition and processing system
Assignee: Xerox Corp
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Filing: 1992-03-24
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Granted: 1994-05-31
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Expires: 2012-03-24
Abstract
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.
Inventors
- 👤 Henry W. Sang, Jr.
- 👤 Whei-Tsu H. Tahn
- 👤 Xiao B. Zhang
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 16:05
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F18/00; G06F18/40
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
131 words
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.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
131 words
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.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 1 further including the step of selecting an object definition prior to expanding about said single point.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
12 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said first region is bounded.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 3 wherein said first region which is bounded is also rectangular.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 3 wherein said first region which is bounded is also circular.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 3 wherein said first region which is bounded is also elliptical.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
173 words
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.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
173 words
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.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 7 further including the step of selecting an object definition prior to expanding about said single point.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
12 words
A method according to claim 7 wherein said first region is bounded.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 9 wherein said first region which is bounded is also rectangular.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 9 wherein said first region which is bounded is also circular.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 9 wherein said first region which is bounded is also elliptical.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
173 words
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.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
173 words
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.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 13 further including the step of selecting an object definition prior to expanding about said single point.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method according to claim 13 wherein said first irregular region is bounded.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method according to claim 15 wherein said maximum regular region is rectangular.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method according to claim 15 wherein said maximum regular region is circular.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method according to claim 15 wherein said maximum regular region is elliptical.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1997-05-30 | 1997-11-29 | 1998-05-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-05-30 | 2001-11-29 | 2002-05-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-05-30 | 2005-11-29 | 2006-05-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |