Document Reading Apparatus File Naming Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional document reading apparatuses lack the ability to exclude unique information such as date and time or reception numbers from file names, limiting user control over file naming conventions.

Innovation Solution

A document reading apparatus that includes reception means to receive instructions not to include predetermined information in file names, and setting means to set file names accordingly, with optional character recognition for incorporating recognized characters and handling unsuccessful recognition processes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If character recognition process is performed to automatically assign file names, then file naming automation is improved, but processing time and system complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefile naming automationVSAvoidprocessing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs character recognition selectively rather than universally. It attempts character recognition to extract file name information, but provides fallback options (automatic generation with date/time, or user manual input) when recognition fails or is not performed, avoiding the time cost of full character recognition in all cases

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The file naming process is divided into separate stages: character recognition attempt, recognition result evaluation, and fallback option provision. This segmentation allows the system to benefit from automation when successful while minimizing time loss when recognition fails by transitioning to alternative methods

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Measurement precision

If character recognition process is performed to automatically assign file names, then file naming accuracy is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefile naming accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system introduces an intermediary evaluation step that assesses the reliability of character recognition results before accepting them as file names. This intermediary layer filters out unreliable recognition results and prevents erroneous file naming, maintaining accuracy while managing complexity through selective validation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the parameter of file name generation from direct character recognition output to a multi-option approach including automatic generation with date/time stamps and user manual input. This parameter change provides flexibility to balance accuracy requirements with system complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If file names include unique information such as date and time, then file uniqueness is improved, but user control over file naming is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefile uniquenessVSAvoiduser control
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system makes the file naming approach dynamic and adaptable. It evaluates the reliability of character recognition results and adjusts the file naming method accordingly - using recognized text when reliable, falling back to automatic generation with unique identifiers when unreliable, and allowing user intervention when needed. This dynamic approach maintains file uniqueness while respecting user control preferences

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3079343B1Document reading apparatus, method for controlling document reading apparatus, and storage medium
Publication Date: 2021.02.24 CANON KK
  • EP3079343B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3079343B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3079343B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Conventionally, a user cannot give an instruction not to include characters representing unique information such as a date and time or a reception number in a file name of an image file. A method for controlling a document reading apparatus including a reading unit configured to read an image of a document to generate image data includes receiving an instruction not to set a predetermined information as a file name of the image data generated by the reading unit, and, in a case where the instruction is received in the receiving, setting a file name not including the predetermined information.