Cell-Based Digital Image Redaction for Secure Online Viewing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Digital images of documents, such as checks, often contain sensitive information that is not adequately secured during online viewing, risking exposure to fraud and identity theft, and existing solutions require manual editing or complex processes.
Innovation Solution
An image masking system that divides digital images into cells, allowing for real-time redaction of sensitive information without altering the original image, using techniques like blurring or pixelation to create a secure, sanitized version for display, which can be integrated into existing processes for seamless online security.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If digital images of documents are displayed online for viewing, then ease of access and convenience are improved, but security of sensitive information deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the digital image into multiple cells, allowing selective redaction of specific regions containing sensitive information while preserving other portions for online viewing. This segmentation enables simultaneous achievement of accessibility and security by controlling what information is visible in which areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different properties to different parts of the image by redacting only specific cells containing sensitive information while leaving other cells unchanged. This local quality approach allows the image to have both secure regions (redacted cells) and accessible regions (non-redacted cells) within the same document.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If manual editing tools are used to redact sensitive information, then security is improved, but time consumption and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the system to automatically identify and redact sensitive information without requiring manual user intervention. The automated redaction process eliminates the need for users to manually edit each image, significantly reducing time consumption while maintaining security through consistent application of redaction rules.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs redaction actions in advance before displaying the digital image to users. By pre-identifying and redacting sensitive information cells before the viewing process, the system eliminates the need for real-time manual editing, reducing time consumption while ensuring security is already in place.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If sensitive information is completely hidden, then security is improved, but usability and information access deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the document into redacted and non-redacted cells, allowing users to access and view non-sensitive information while sensitive portions remain hidden. This segmentation enables partial information access rather than complete hiding, maintaining usability for legitimate purposes while preserving security.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies redaction selectively to specific local regions (cells) rather than the entire document. This allows different parts of the same document to have different levels of accessibility, with sensitive areas protected and non-sensitive areas fully accessible, thus avoiding complete information loss.
4Productivity
If automated redaction systems are implemented, then productivity is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the image processing task into discrete cell-level operations, making the automated redaction system more manageable and less complex. By working with individual cells rather than entire images, the system achieves high productivity through simple, repeatable operations on small units.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a redacted version of the digital image as a copy, leaving the original intact. This copying approach simplifies the system architecture by separating the redaction function from the original data, allowing automated processing without complex modifications to the source system.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention provides methods and apparatus for securing personalized or sensitive information appearing in digital images. Digital images containing information to be secured is processed and divided into a plurality of image cells. At least one image cell from the plurality of image cells is selected and redacted or altered to render the information to be secured with the selected image cells in decipherable. The invention also provide method and apparatus for transmitting or streaming unredacted image cells alone or in combination with redacted image cell for secured viewing on a user browser or computer.