Camera-Based Printed Document Progress Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users reading printed documents face challenges in tracking their progress and remembering their last reading location without cumbersome interactions with electronic devices, as existing technologies lack intuitive methods to identify and recall interaction attributes with physical documents.
Innovation Solution
An electronic apparatus that uses a camera module to recognize and process visual information from printed documents, determining identifiers and interaction attributes, and storing these in a historical record for retrieval and rendering relevant information, such as the last read page or location, to assist users in continuing their reading.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If users manually track their reading progress in printed documents, then they can remember their reading location, but the process becomes cumbersome and requires frequent interactions with electronic devices
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service by automatically detecting which printed document the user is reading through camera imaging and autonomously tracking reading progress without requiring manual user input. The electronic apparatus independently captures document images, identifies documents, and updates progress information in historical records.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical tracking methods with an automated optical recognition system. Instead of physically marking or manually recording reading progress, the system uses camera imaging and image processing to automatically detect and track the document being read, substituting mechanical user actions with automated electronic detection.
2Measurement precision
If the electronic apparatus continuously monitors reading activity, then reading progress is accurately tracked, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system achieves multi-functionality by using a single camera module for multiple purposes: capturing document images for progress tracking, identifying documents through image recognition, and potentially other imaging tasks. This universal component performs various functions that would otherwise require separate specialized devices, reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary database structure (historical printed document records) that mediates between the camera detection system and the user interface. This intermediary layer stores and manages reading progress data, simplifying the complexity by providing a structured buffer between detection and display functions.
3Loss of information
If the system stores detailed interaction attributes for each printed document, then reading progress can be accurately recalled, but information storage requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts only the essential interaction attributes needed for reading progress tracking, such as document identifiers, reading location, and timestamp information. Rather than storing all possible document metadata, it selectively captures and stores only the critical elements required for resuming reading sessions, reducing storage requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
A method comprising receipt of visual information from a camera module, determination that the visual information comprises visual information indicative of a printed document that is being read by a user, determination of a printed document identifier that identifies the printed document based, at least in part, on the visual information, determination that the printed document identifier corresponds with a historical printed document record, retrieval of at least one printed document interaction attribute associated with the printed document identifier from the historical printed document record, and causation of rendering of information indicative of the printed document interaction attribute is disclosed.