Patent Publication Number: US-8990681-B2

Title: Method for aligning a modified document and an original document for comparison and difference highlighting

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application is a continuation patent application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/626,709, filed on Jan. 24, 2007, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     STATEMENT RE: FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT 
     Not Applicable 
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Technical Field 
     The present invention relates generally to methods for electronic document revision tracking and control. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method for calibrating a modified document and an original document for difference identification. 
     2. Related Art 
     Advancements in high speed data communications and computing capabilities have increased the use of remote collaboration for conducting business. While real-time collaboration using videoconferencing and the like are gaining popularity, the vast majority of collaboration occurs over e-mail in the exchange documents incorporating incremental modifications, comments, and the like. A local user may create an initial version of a document, and transmit the same to remotely located colleagues. These remote users may then make their own changes or add comments in the form of annotations appended to the document, and then transmit the new version back to the local user. 
     Such collaboration may involve the exchange of documents generated with word processing applications, desktop publishing applications, illustration/graphical image manipulation applications, Computer Aided Design (CAD) applications, and so forth. As utilized herein, the term “document” may refer to data produced by any of the aforementioned software applications. Furthermore, the term “content” may refer to data particular to the software application that generated it and stored in the document of the same. Due to the existence of many different computing platforms having a wide variety of operating systems, application programs, and processing and graphic display capabilities, however, it has been recognized by those in the art that a device-independent, resolution-independent file format was necessary to facilitate such exchange. In response to this need, the Portable Document Format (PDF), amongst other competing formats, has been developed. 
     The PDF standard is a combination of a number of technologies, including a simplified PostScript interpreter subsystem, a font embedding subsystem, and a storage subsystem. As those in the art will recognize, PostScript is a page description language for generating the layout and the graphics of a document. Further, per the requirements of the PDF storage subsystem, all elements of the document, including text, vector graphics, and raster (bitmap) graphics, collectively referred to herein as graphic elements, are encapsulated into a single file. The graphic elements are not encoded to a specific operating system, software application, or hardware, but are designed to be rendered in the same manner regardless of the specificities relating to the system writing or reading such data. The cross-platform capability of PDF aided in its widespread adoption, and is now a de facto document exchange standard. Currently, PDF is utilized to encode a wide variety of document types, including those composed largely of text, and those composed largely of vector and raster graphics. Due to its versatility and universality, files in the PDF format are often preferred over more particularized file formats of specific applications. As such, documents are frequently converted to the PDF format. 
     The exchange of documents according to the workflow described above may take place numerous times, with the content of the document evolving over time. For example, in various engineering projects utilizing CAD drawings such as in architecture or product design, a first revision of the document may include only a basic outline or schematic. Subsequent revisions may be generated for review and approval as further features or details are added prior to construction or production. On a more extended timeline, multiple iterations of designs may be produced. In another example, an author or a graphics designer may produce an initial draft of a document, with editors and reviewers adding comments or otherwise marking the document and resubmitting it to the author or graphics designer. The changes are incorporated into a subsequent version. While in some instances the review and approval process is performed directly on the electronic document, there are many instances where a printed hard copy of the document is utilized. As such, the reviewer may annotate, comment upon, edit, or otherwise supplement with information directly upon the hard copy of the document. 
     When it is necessary to send the printed copy of the document to another electronically, a scanner is typically utilized to capture the document. More particularly, the scanner converts an “analog” image, which consists of continuous features such as lines and areas of color, to a digitized encoding that represents the analog image. A rasterized image, or a bitmap, is generated comprising rows and columns of pixels, with each pixel representing one point in the image. Separately viewed, the pixel does not convey useful visual information, but when the entire field of pixels is viewed at an appropriate distance, a facsimile of the analog image can be recognized. As is generally known, each pixel is represented by luminance strengths of primary colors. Digital representation typically uses the RGB (Red Green Blue) color space, while print typically uses the CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black) color space. 
     In acquiring the digital image, some distortion with respect to scale and rotation may be introduced. A correction filter may be applied to the data, though this can correct distortions only to a certain degree. Additionally, correction filters may also attempt to correct distortions introduced during the analog-to-digital conversion process. Due to the existence of numerous other variables that affect the capture and conversion of images, acquiring an exact digital replica of the printed copy is difficult. 
     During collaboration, it is often desirable to review earlier versions of a document and comparing the same to a current version of the document. By doing so, the evolution of the content may be better appreciated, and each change made to the content may be tracked for approval and other purposes. Various techniques exist for emphasizing differences, but each such technique requires that the two documents being compared be properly aligned. Otherwise, unchanged portions of the document may be identified as being different, when it is only pixel noise, rotation, scale, offset or other like distortion that is different. Where one version of the document is generated directly from the application and another version of the document is scanned from a printed copy, either or both of the documents may be distorted. 
     Accordingly, there is a need in the art for a method for aligning a modified document and an original document where such documents are being compared to accentuate differences therebetween. There is a need for automatically aligning the documents and minimizing the distortions of the documents so that a comparison tool does not generate false positives. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     According to an aspect of the present invention, there is a method for aligning a modified document and an original document for emphasizing differences. The method may include a step of receiving a first bitmap representative of the modified document. The modified document may include a first anchor. Furthermore, a second bitmap representative of the original document may be received, in which the original document includes a second anchor. The method may also include the step of deriving a set of first vertex coordinates of the first anchor, and a set of second vertex coordinates of the second anchor. More broadly, common bounding points of the modified document and the original document are identified. The method may then include the step of transforming the first bitmap to a common reference based upon the first set of vertex coordinates, and transforming the second bitmap to the common reference based upon the second set of vertex coordinates. It will be understood that common reference is a rectangle with sides parallel to the edge of each of the first and second bitmaps. Generally, the foregoing method refers to the process of aligning the modified document and the original document such that the aforementioned common bounding points are proximal with respect to each other. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the first and second bitmaps are each defined by a plurality of pixels arranged in ordered rows and columns. Each of the pixels may have pixel coordinates associated therewith. Additionally, the first and second bitmaps define a left side and a right side, between which the ordered columns of the pixels extend. 
     In yet another aspect, the deriving of the set of first vertex coordinates further includes the step of storing in a first comprehensive coordinates list the pixel coordinates of a leftmost pixel matching a trigger value, as well as a rightmost pixel matching the trigger value. According to another embodiment of the present invention, the trigger value may be a non-white pixel value. The pixel coordinates of every row in the first bitmap may be so stored. The method may continue with storing in a sample coordinates list a subset of the pixel coordinates in the first comprehensive coordinates list. Additionally, the method may include the step of assigning average pixel coordinates of the sample coordinates list may satisfy a predefined condition. In another aspect, the attribute may include the average pixel coordinates of the sample coordinates list and a standard deviation of the pixel coordinates in the sample coordinates list. Further, the predefined condition may be that the average pixel coordinates of the sample coordinates list is within two standard deviations of the pixel coordinates in the first comprehensive coordinates list. Alternatively, the predefined condition may be that the standard deviation of pixel coordinates in the sample coordinates list is sufficiently small. According to one embodiment of the present invention the sample coordinates list includes at least twenty pixel coordinates. 
     According to another aspect of the present invention, the first and second anchors are rectangular borders. Along these lines, such rectangular borders are defined by an upper left corner, and upper right corner, a lower left corner, and a lower right corner, with each corner referenced by a one of the vertex coordinates. 
     In still another aspect of the present invention, the step of transforming the first bitmap includes applying a first inverse transform matrix function to the first bitmap. A first parameter therefor may be derived from the first set of vertex coordinates. Moreover, the step of transforming the second bitmap includes applying a second inverse transform matrix function to the second bitmap. A second parameter therefor may be derived from the second set of vertex coordinates. In further detail, the first and second inverse transform functions may be a rotation function. The first parameter may be a first offset angle between a first line segment defined by the first set of vertex coordinates and a first vertical edge of the first bitmap. The second parameter may be a second offset angle between a second line segment defined by the second set of vertex coordinates and a second vertical edge of the second bitmap. 
     According to one aspect of the present invention, the method may include a step of storing in a memory the first parameter and the second parameter for further processing. 
     The present invention will be best understood by reference to the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       These and other features and advantages of the various embodiments disclosed herein will be better understood with respect to the following description and drawings, in which like numbers refer to like parts throughout, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a computer system that may be used to implement aspects of the present invention, including a system unit, a display unit, a scanner, and various other input devices; 
         FIG. 2  is a block diagram of the components of the system unit in the computer system illustrated in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is an example of a modified document shown rotated slightly to the right, with certain graphic elements being modified in relation to an original document; 
         FIG. 4  is an example of an original document shown rotating slightly to the left, including various graphic elements rotated slightly to the right; 
         FIG. 5  is a flowchart describing a method for aligning a modified document and an original document; 
         FIG. 6  is an exemplary bitmap of a magnified area A of the modified document showing portions of a border or anchor thereof; 
         FIG. 7  is a simplified version of an exemplary bitmap showing the coordinates of a leftmost and a rightmost pixel of each row being retrieved in accordance with an aspect of the present invention; 
         FIG. 8  is a flowchart further detailing a step of deriving a set of vertex coordinates; 
         FIG. 9  is the modified document after applying a transform matrix function and being properly aligned with a common reference. 
         FIG. 10  shows the modified document and the original document, where the modified document is significantly smaller than the original document; and 
         FIG. 11  shows the modified document and the original document after the application of a scale normalizing transform function. 
     
    
    
     Common reference numerals are used throughout the drawings and the detailed description to indicate the same elements. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of the presently preferred embodiment of the invention, and is not intended to represent the only form in which the present invention may be constructed or utilized. The description sets forth the functions and the sequence of steps for developing and operating the invention in connection with the illustrated embodiment. It is to be understood, however, that the same or equivalent functions and sequences may be accomplished by different embodiments that are also intended to be encompassed within the spirit and scope of the invention. It is further understood that the use of relational terms such as first and second, and the like are used solely to distinguish one from another entity without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities. 
     With reference to  FIG. 1 , an exemplary hardware environment in which aspects of the present invention may be implemented includes a computer system  10  with a system unit  12  and a display unit  14 . The display unit  14  graphically displays output from the data processing operations performed by the system unit  12 , and may be of a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) type, a Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) type, or any other suitable type of display. Devices such as a keyboard  16  and a mouse  18  provide input to the data processing operations, and are connected to the system unit  10  via a USB port  20 . In addition, a scanner  19  may be included in the computer system  10 . As was explained above, the scanner  19  converts an analog image to a digitized form that represents the analog image, and transmits the generated bitmap to the system unit  12  for further processing. Various other input and output devices may be connected to the system unit  12 , and alternative interconnection modalities may be substituted with the USB port  20 . 
     As shown in the block diagram of  FIG. 2 , the system unit  12  includes a Central Processing Unit (CPU)  22 , which may represent one or more conventional types of such processors, such as an IBM PowerPC, Intel Pentium (x86) processors, and so forth. A Random Access Memory (RAM)  24  temporarily stores results of the data processing operations performed by the CPU  22 , and is interconnected thereto typically via a dedicated memory channel  23 . The system unit  10  may also include permanent storage devices such as a hard drive  26 , which are also in communication with the CPU  22  over an i/o bus  27 . Other types of storage devices such as tape drives, Compact Disc drives, and the like may also be connected. A graphics card  28  is also connected to the CPU  22  via a video bus  29 , and transmits signals representative of display data to the display unit  14 . As indicated above, the keyboard  16 , the mouse  18 , and the scanner  19  are connected to the system unit  12  over the USB port  20 . A USB controller  30  translates data and instructions to and from the CPU  22  for external peripherals connected to the USB port  20 . Additional devices such as printers, microphones, speakers, and the like may be connected to the system unit  12 . 
     The system unit  12  may utilize any operating system having a graphical user interface (GUI), such as WINDOWS from Microsoft Corporation of Redmond, Wash., MACOS from Apple, Inc. of Cupertino, Calif., various versions of UNIX with the X-Windows windowing system, and so forth. The system unit  12  executes one or more computer programs, with the results thereof being displayed on the display unit  14 . Generally, the operating system and the computer programs are tangibly embodied in a computer-readable medium, e.g. one or more of the fixed and/or removable data storage devices including the hard drive  26 . Both the operating system and the computer programs may be loaded from the aforementioned data storage devices into the RAM  24  for execution by the CPU  22 . The computer programs comprise instructions which, when read and executed by the CPU  22 , cause the same to perform the steps necessary to execute the steps or features of the present invention. 
     The foregoing computer system  10  represents only one exemplary apparatus suitable for implementing aspects of the present invention. As such, the computer system  10  may have many different configurations and architectures. Any such configuration or architecture may be readily substituted without departing from the scope of the present invention. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , an aspect of the present invention relates to a method for aligning a modified document  32  and an original document  34  for emphasizing differences therebetween. It will be appreciated that the particular contents of the modified document  32  and the original document  34 , which are architectural drawings of a house, are presented by way of example only and not of limitation. In further detail, a roof portion  36  of the modified document  32  differs from a roof portion  38  of the original document  34 . Both the modified document  32  and the original document  34  includes borders  40 ,  42 , respectively, as well as various dimensioning elements  41 ,  43 . Additionally, the modified document  32  is rotated slightly to the right, while the original document  34  is rotated slightly to the left. 
     With reference to the flowchart of  FIG. 5 , the method for aligning documents in accordance with an aspect of the present invention includes a step  200  of receiving a first bitmap representative of the modified document  32 , and a second bitmap representative of the original document  34 . The modified document  32  and the original document  34  are each understood to include a first anchor  44  and a second anchor  46 , respectively. As illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the anchor  44  of the modified document  32  is embodied as the border  40 , and the anchor  46  of the original document  34  is embodied as the border  42 . It is understood that any other type of anchors besides the borders  40 ,  42  may be readily substituted without departing from the scope of the present invention, and may include any element within the modified document  32  and the original document  34  that are common between each other. Further details relating to the processing of the anchors  44 ,  46  will be described below. 
     According to one embodiment, the modified document  32  and the original document  34  are PDF files, with its contents being stored as discrete objects of text, geometric primitives, or blocks of raster images. If the modified document  32  was digitized from a hard copy, while the entire image is likely to be a raster image, the image itself will be encapsulated as an object within the PDF file. According to such an embodiment, the modified document  32  is converted to the first bitmap, and the original document  34  is converted to the second bitmap. However, it is understood that the modified document  32  and the original document  34  may already exist as bitmaps. In such a case, the conversion is omitted. 
     Hereinafter, reference will be made to certain attributes of the modified document  32  and processes performed thereon. It will be appreciated that the same attributes are known to be applicable to the original document  34 , and the same processes are known to be performed on the original document  34 . Unless otherwise applicable, the following description will not make reference to identical attributes and processes relating to the original document  34  for the sake of simplicity. 
     A magnified area A of  FIG. 3  is shown in  FIG. 6  after the modified document  32  has been converted to a bitmap  48 . It will be recognized that though  FIG. 6  shows only a portion of the modified document  32  as the bitmap  48 , the entirety of the modified document  32  is understood to be converted in accordance with an aspect of the present invention. The bitmap  48  is comprised of multiple rows  50  and columns  52  of pixels  54 , with the columns  52  being arranged from a left side  56  to a right side  58 , and the rows  50  being arranged from a top  60  to a bottom  62 . Each of the pixels  54  are referenced by a set of coordinates that identify a particular one of the rows  50  and one of the columns  52 . By way of example only and not of limitation, the bitmap  48  may have a coordinate system in which each of the pixels  54  in a top row  50   a  has a Y-axis coordinate of 0, each of the pixels  54  in a row  50   b  immediately below has a Y-axis coordinate of 1, and so forth. Additionally, according to such a coordinate system, each of the pixels  54  in a leftmost column  52   a  has an X-axis coordinate of 0, each of the pixels  54  in a column  52   b  immediately to the right thereof has an X-axis coordinate of 1, and so forth. Thus, an exemplary pixel  54   a  that represents a part of the border  40  has a coordinate of (6,1). It will be appreciated by those having ordinary skill in the art that other coordinate systems may be utilized, and any such alternative may be readily substituted without departing from the scope of the present invention. 
     As shown in  FIG. 6 , active ones of the pixels  54  define the border  40 , as well as the dimensioning element  41 . It is understood that each of the pixels  54  represents a point in an image, and has associated therewith a set of three luminance values. A first value represents the intensity of the red color, a second luminance value represents the intensity of the green color, and a third luminance value represents the intensity of the blue color. The intensity is represented as a numerical value, typically between 0 and 255 for an 8-bit color depth. By combining varying intensities of the red, green, and blue components, any color may be reproduced. It will also be appreciated that the number of pixels  54  per a given unit of measure defines the resolution of the bitmap  44 . 
     Referring again to the flowchart of  FIG. 5 , the method for aligning a modified document  32  and an original document  34  includes a step  202  of deriving a set of vertex coordinates of the anchor  44 . As described briefly above, the anchor  44  may be a border, a corner element, or the like that provides a reference frame. With reference to  FIG. 7  that shows a simplified version of the bitmap  48 , the anchor  44  is generally defined by a first vertex  64  located on the upper left corner, a second vertex  66  located on the lower left corner, a third vertex  68  located on the lower right corner, and a fourth vertex  70  located on the upper right corner. The coordinates of the foregoing first, second, third, and fourth vertices  64 ,  66 ,  68 , and  70  are derived in the step  202 . In further detail as shown in the flowchart of  FIG. 8 , this process involves a step  250  of storing the coordinates of the leftmost non-white pixel and the rightmost non-white pixel for each of the rows  50   a - m  of the bitmap  48 . As a preparatory measure for the step  205 , the edges of the bitmap  48  may be overwritten with white pixels to define a margin. In one embodiment of the present invention, the depth of such a margin may be predetermined or selected by a user. 
     By way of an example shown in  FIG. 6 , in the first row  50   a , there are no coordinates recorded, but in the second row  50   b , the leftmost non-white pixel is at (4,1) and the rightmost non-white pixel is at (6,1). The coordinates associated with the leftmost non-white pixels are stored in a first list, and the coordinates associated with the rightmost non-white pixels are stored in a second list. For each of the first and second lists, an average and a standard deviation of the X coordinate values are recorded. 
     The derivation of the set of vertex coordinates continues with a step  252  of sampling the pixel coordinates from the first list and the second list, and calculating an average and a standard deviation of the X coordinate values. The sample is taken starting from the top, that is, the beginning, as well as the bottom, that is, the end, of the first and second lists. As indicated above, the first list is associated with the leftmost non-white pixels, which include the pixels between the first vertex  64  and the second vertex  66  along a line defined between these two points, while the second list is associated with the rightmnost non-white pixels, which include the pixels between the third vertex  68  and the fourth vertex  70  along a line defined between these two points. Accordingly, it is understood that the samples from the top (the beginning) of the first list reference points proximal to the first vertex  64 , while the samples from the bottom (the end) of the first list reference points proximal to the second vertex  66 . Furthermore, the samples from the bottom of the second list reference points proximal to the third vertex  68 , and the samples from the top of the second list reference points proximal to the fourth vertex  70 . According to one embodiment of the present invention, each sampling retrieves at least twenty coordinates from the first and second lists. 
     The derivation of the set of vertex coordinates concludes with a step  254  of storing the average value of the sampled pixel coordinates as a one of the set of vertex coordinates. Before doing so, the suitability of such coordinates to represent one of the first, second third, and fourth vertices  64 ,  66 ,  68 , and  70  are determined. This involves determining whether the standard deviation of the sampled pixel coordinates is sufficiently small enough, and whether the average of the sampled pixel coordinates is close enough to the average of the respective one of the first or second lists. More particularly with respect to this second aspect of the assessment, the average of the sampled pixel coordinates is deemed to be close enough to the average of the first or second list where the difference is less than two standard deviations of the first or second list. For example, in determining the coordinates for the second vertex  66 , a first sampling that may include rows  50   m ,  50   l , and  50   k  will have a high standard deviation. Furthermore, the average values of the first sampling will be substantially higher than the average of all of the rows  50   a - 1 . 
     Where, as in the example, the sampled pixel coordinates do not pass the aforementioned assessments, the process repeats after incrementing the start point. Continuing with the above example, the rows  50   l - 50   j  are sampled. The process continues until a suitable sample is retrieved. It is understood that the foregoing process reduces the possibility of mistakenly selecting a noise or other pixel as one of the vertex coordinates. 
     With reference to  FIG. 5 , the method for aligning documents includes a step  204  of transforming the bitmap  48  to a common reference  72 . The common reference  72  is understood to be a rectangle with sides  73  parallel to the left and right sides  56 ,  58  of the bitmap  48 , and is based upon the minimum and maximum values of the vertex coordinates. As will be appreciated, by determining the coordinates of the first vertex  64 , the second vertex  66 , the third vertex  68 , and the fourth vertex  70  associated with the anchor  44  as set forth above, an offset angle  74  between the anchor  44  and the common reference  72  may be determined. 
     The step of transforming the bitmap includes applying an inverse transform matrix function to the bitmap  48 , with the offset angle  74  being the parameter to such function. According to one aspect of the present invention, the inverse transform matrix function rotates the bitmap  48  to be in alignment with the common reference  72  as shown in  FIG. 9 . The amount of rotation is determined by the offset angle  74 . In another aspect, the inverse transform matrix function is a scaling function. As shown in the example of  FIG. 10 , prior to the transformation, the modified document  32  may be substantially smaller than the original document  34 . Upon performing the scaling transformation as shown in  FIG. 11 , the size of the modified document  32  and the size of the original document  34  are normalized. It is further contemplated that skewing and offset inverse transform matrix functions may be utilized in lieu of or in addition to the scaling and rotation inverse transform matrix functions. In one embodiment of the present invention, the foregoing inverse transform matrix functions are predefined. More particularly, the functionality may be provided in standard libraries such as the Microsoft .NET Matrix object. It is understood that any standard library capable of implementing the foregoing inverse transform matrix functions may be readily substituted without departing from the scope of the present invention. 
     As indicated above, the method in accordance with one aspect of the present invention is used in conjunction with methods for emphasizing differences between the modified document  32  and the original document  34 . Accordingly, any objects placed thereon to emphasize differences must have the appropriate offset angle  74  applied thereto. In this regard, according to another aspect of the present invention, the offset angle  74  is stored in memory per step  205  for later retrieval. 
     The particulars shown herein are by way of example and for purposes of illustrative discussion of the embodiments of the present invention only and are presented in the cause of providing what is believed to be the most useful and readily understood description of the principles and conceptual aspects of the present invention. In this regard, no attempt is made to show any more detail than is necessary for the fundamental understanding of the present invention, the description taken with the drawings making apparent to those skilled in the art how the several forms of the present invention may be embodied in practice.