Layout Analysis for Scanned PDF and Transformation to the Structured PDF Suitable for Vocalization and Navigation

Information can include text, pictures and signatures that can be scanned into a document format, such as the Portable Document Format (PDF), and easily emailed to recipients around the world. Upon the document’s arrival, the receiver can open and view it using a vast array of different PDF viewing applications such as Adobe Reader and Apple Preview. Hence, today the use of the PDF has become pervasive. Since the scanned PDF is an image format, it is inaccessible to assistive technologies such as a screen reader. Therefore, the retrieval of the information needs Optical Character Recognition (OCR). The OCR software scans the scanned PDF file and through text extraction generates an editable text formatted document. This text document can then be edited, formatted, searched and indexed as well as translated or converted to speech. A problem that the OCR software does not solve is the accurate regeneration of the full text layout. This paper presents a technology that addresses this issue by closely preserving the original textual layout of the scanned PDF using the open source document analysis and OCR system (OCRopus) based on geometric layout and positioning information. The main issues considered in this research are the preservation of the correct reading order, and the representation of common logical structured elements such as section headings, line breaks, paragraphs, captions, and sidebars, foot-bars, running headers, embedded images, graphics, tables and mathematical expressions

A method to provide high volume transaction outputs accessibility to vision Impaired using layout analysis

The Documents in the financial services, insurance, utilities, and government sectors typically require a high volume of PDF documents to be generated which are stored for presentment or archived for legal purposes. As high volume transactional output (HVTO) demands put increasing pressure on online presentment capabilities, accessibility has become a growing concern. In particular, access to these files proposes significant challenges when these documents are presented to visually impaired people using assistive technologies (i.e. screen readers). Since it is rare that all recipients are prepared to accept electronic delivery of their documents, a large portion of the documents is still printed as PDFs. In an online billing system, bills are sent to customers’ email accounts as attached PDF files or HTML links. These bills in the most cases are neither accessible through assistive technologies nor useable by vision-impaired customers. This paper provides a method for HVTO documents automatic transformation to an accessible and navigable Mark-up format such as XML or Digital Accessible Information System (DAISY)

A Method to Provide High Volume Transaction Outputs Accessibility to Vision Impaired Using Layout Analysis

The Documents in the financial services, insurance, utilities, and government sectors typically require a high volume of PDF documents to be generated which are stored for presentment or archived for legal purposes. As high volume transactional output (HVTO) demands put increasing pressure on online presentment capabilities, accessibility has become a growing concern. In particular, access to these files proposes significant challenges when these documents are presented to visually impaired people using assistive technologies (i.e. screen readers). Since it is rare that all recipients are prepared to accept electronic delivery of their documents, a large portion of the documents is still printed as PDFs. In an online billing system, bills are sent to customers’ email accounts as attached PDF files or HTML links. These bills in the most cases are neither accessible through assistive technologies nor useable by vision-impaired customers. This paper provides a method for HVTO documents automatic transformation to an accessible and navigable Mark-up format such as XML or Digital Accessible Information System (DAISY)

Non-Visual Representation of Complex Documents for Use in Digital Talking Books

Essential written information such as text books, bills, and catalogues needs to be accessible by everyone. However, access is not always available to vision-impaired people. As they require electronic documents to be available in specific formats. In order to address the accessibility issues of electronic documents, this research aims to design an affordable, portable, standalone and simple to use complete reading system that will convert and describe complex components in electronic documents to print disabled users

Non-visual representation of complex documents for use in digital talking books

According to a World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) estimation, only 5% of the world's one million print titles that are published every year are accessible to the approximately 340 million blind, visually impaired or print disabled people. Equal access to information is a basic right of all people. Essen- tial information such as flyers, brochures, event calendars, programs, catalogues and booking information needs to be accessible by everyone. Information helps people to make decisions, be involved in society and live independent lives. Ar- ticle 21, Section 4.2. of the United Nation's Convention on the rights of people with disabilities advocates the right of blind and partially sighted people to take control of their own lives. However, this entitlement is not always available to them without access to information. Today, electronic documents have become pervasive. For vision-impaired people electronic documents need to be available in specific formats to be accessible. If these formats are not made available, vision-impaired people are greatly disadvantaged when compared to the general population. Therefore, addressing electronic document accessibility for them is an extremely important concern. In order to address the accessibility issues of electronic documents, this research aims to design an affordable, portable, stand-alone and simple to use "Complete Reading System" to provide accessible electronic documents to vision impaired

State-of-the-Art Sensors Technology in Spain 2015: Volume 1

This book provides a comprehensive overview of state-of-the-art sensors technology in specific leading areas. Industrial researchers, engineers and professionals can find information on the most advanced technologies and developments, together with data processing. Further research covers specific devices and technologies that capture and distribute data to be processed by applying dedicated techniques or procedures, which is where sensors play the most important role. The book provides insights and solutions for different problems covering a broad spectrum of possibilities, thanks to a set of applications and solutions based on sensory technologies. Topics include: • Signal analysis for spectral power • 3D precise measurements • Electromagnetic propagation • Drugs detection • e-health environments based on social sensor networks • Robots in wireless environments, navigation, teleoperation, object grasping, demining • Wireless sensor networks • Industrial IoT • Insights in smart cities • Voice recognition • FPGA interfaces • Flight mill device for measurements on insects • Optical systems: UV, LEDs, lasers, fiber optics • Machine vision • Power dissipation • Liquid level in fuel tanks • Parabolic solar tracker • Force sensors • Control for a twin roto