COMPUTER AUTOMATED SYSTEM FOR MANAGEMENT OF ENGINEERING DRAWINGS

摘要

1. A computer automated process for identification, management and retrieval of engineering drawings in digital format comprising the steps of: (i) analyzing graphical and textual digital data in the drawing using a central processing unit to identify Individual engineering drawings, to identify a series of discrete boxes within each engineering drawing containing predefined keywords and to further identify any text contained within the drawing and within said text boxes; (ii) storing the textual content in the boxes in a memory means in a relational database such that the textual content of the boxes is stored by reference to the keywords of each box and wherein the drawings can be identified and retrieved by reference to the keywords and/or the contents of the text boxes and/or the textual content of the drawing. 2. The process as claimed in claim 1 wherein: all the graphical digital data is analysed by the centre processing unit to identify any horizontal two point straight line array or multiple line array longer than a predetermined figure and wherein the central processing unit then identifies all lines that connect the end points of the said horizontal two point straight line to establish a closed rectangular region and wherein any closed rectangular region not bounded by a larger closed rectangular region is identified as the boundary of each individual engineering drawing. 3. The process as claimed in claim 2 wherein: the graphical and textual digital data within the engineering drawing is analysed by the central processing unit to identify two vertically or horizontally adjacent rectangular regions with a shared border and wherein one such rectangular box contains a series of discrete boxes in an orderly arrangement containing textual content. 4. The process as claimed in claim 3 wherein: the central processing unit identifies predefined keywords within the said text boxes and wherein the textual information contained within each said text box is identified and stored in a storage means whereby the engineering drawing can be identified by reference to the keywords and/or the textual information. 5. The process as claimed in claim 3 wherein: the textual information contained within each engineering drawing may be stored in the storage means to enable the said engineering drawing to be identified by reference to the said textual information. 6. The process as claimed in any one of claims 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 wherein: the engineering drawings stored in the storage means may be located, retrieved and displayed on a suitable display means by reference to the exact textual information sought and wherein the said textual information may be readily identified by suitable means such as highlighting.