Apparatus and method for manipulating scanned documents in a computer aided design system

In an electronic data processing system, a method of manipulating a scanned document, comprising the steps of:

• electronically displaying a first image representing the scanned document, said first image being a raster image comprised of a plurality of discrete picture elements defining at least one graphic element having a first shape;
• electronically displaying in response to user input commands, simultaneously with the display of said raster first image, a second image, said second image being a vector-based image comprised of a plurality of vectors having respective defined starting and ending points having predetermined positions relative to said picture elements and representing user-generated alterations to the first shape of said at least one graphic elements;
• and
• merging said first and second images to provide an edited raster image wherein said at least one graphic element has a second shape differing from said first shape by at least one of said plurality of vectors displayed responsive to the user input commands.

In an electronic data processing system which is responsive to user input commands, apparatus for manipulating a scanned document, comprising:

• first means for generating a first digital coded image of the scanned document, said first digital coded image being a raster image comprised of a plurality of discrete picture elements each of which has a defined position relative to a predetermined reference position for defining at least one graphic element having a first shape;
• display means for electronically displaying the raster image;
• second means for generating a second digital coded image in response to the user input commands simultaneous with the display of said raster image, said second digital coded image being a vector-based image comprised of a plurality of vectors having respective defined starting and ending points relative to the predetermined reference position such that said vectors register with predetermined locations in said raster image and define alterations to the first shape of said at least one graphic element;
• and
• merging means for electronically merging said raster and vector-based images to provide an edited raster image wherein said at least one graphic element has a second shape differing from said first shape in accordance with at least one of said plurality of vectors displayed responsive to the user input commands.

Apparatus for manipulating a scanned document in a computer aided design system responsive to user input commands, comprising:

• first means for electronically displaying a first image representing the scanned document, said first image representing at least one graphic element having a first shape, said first image being displayed in foreground and background colors, said background color being different from said foreground color;
• and
• second means for electronically displaying a second image simultaneously with the display of said first image, said second image being generated in response to user input commands and representing alterations to the first shape of said at least one graphic element, said second means displaying said second image such that said second image registers with predetermined locations of said first image and overlays at least a portion of said first image, and such that said second image is displayed in at least two colors, one of which is said background color,
• said first and second means operating in cooperation to effect a visual erasure of a first portion of said graphic element of said first image when said first portion of said first image is displayed in said foreground color and is overlaid by a portion of said second image in said background color, and
• said first and second means operating in cooperation to effect a visual addition to a second portion of said first graphic element of said first image displayed in said background color where a portion of said second image having the other of said at least two colors overlays the second portion of said first image displayed in said background color.

Apparatus for manipulating a scanned document in a computer aided design system which uses computer aided design user input commands for producing a design drawing on a computer screen display, said apparatus comprising:

• means for determining the location and boundaries of a rectangular window representing a selected portion of the scanned document which is to be displayed;
• means for identifying picture elements of a first image representing at least a portion of the scanned document which fall within the boundaries of said window;
• means for adjusting a scale of said first, image, as necessary, to conform to said window;
• first means for electronically displaying said first image as a raster image including a plurality of discrete picture elements defining at least one geometric object having a first shape and for displaying said first image in foreground and background colors, said foreground color being different from said background color;
• second means for electronically displaying a second image simultaneous with the display of said first image, said second means generating said second image in response to user input commands and representing alterations tied the shade of said first shape of said at least one geometric object,
• said second means displaying said second image in registration with predetermined locations of said first image, and to overlay at least a portion of said first image, said second means displaying said second image in at least two colors, one of which is said background color,
• said first and second means operating in cooperation so that when first portions of said first image displayed in said foreground color are overlaid by portions of said second image displayed in said background color, said first portions visually appear to have been erased, and so that at positions where portions of said second image displayed in the other color of said at least two colors of said second image overlay second portions of said first image displayed in said background color additions are provided to said second portions, thus altering said first shape to provide a second shape for said at least one graphic element;
• and
• means for merging said first image and said second image to provide a resulting edited raster image incorporating said second shape of said at least one graphic element of said second image.