Automated Document Update via Embedded Identifying Information

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional information processing systems require users to manually select documents for updating when one of multiple documents is updated, leading to increased processing load.

Innovation Solution

An information processing system comprising an image processing apparatus and a server device, where the apparatus reads and transmits images with embedded identifying information, and the server device determines and updates the corresponding image in storage, eliminating the need for user selection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual document selection is implemented for updating, then users can control which document to update, but the processing load increases and efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of operationVSAvoidproductivity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables automatic document identification and update selection through embedded identifying information (digital watermark) in the scanned document. The image processing apparatus automatically extracts the identifying information and the server device automatically determines which document to update, eliminating the need for manual user selection and thereby reducing processing load while maintaining ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from the embedded identifying information in the scanned document to automatically determine the target document for update. The server device receives the identifying information, compares it with stored document identifiers, and automatically selects the correct document for updating, creating a closed-loop system that eliminates manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Productivity

If automatic document update is implemented, then processing load is reduced and efficiency increases, but user control over document selection is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveproductivityVSAvoidease of operation

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables automatic document identification and update selection through embedded identifying information (digital watermark) in the scanned document. The image processing apparatus automatically extracts the identifying information and the server device automatically determines which document to update, eliminating the need for manual user selection and thereby reducing processing load while maintaining ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from the embedded identifying information in the scanned document to automatically determine the target document for update. The server device receives the identifying information, compares it with stored document identifiers, and automatically selects the correct document for updating, creating a closed-loop system that eliminates manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Device complexity

If multiple documents are managed without identifying information, then document management is simpler, but document identification and update become error-prone

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidreliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system embeds identifying information (digital watermark) into documents during the initial printing or creation phase. This preliminary action ensures that when documents are scanned later, the identifying information is already present, enabling reliable automatic identification and update selection without adding complexity to the document management process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses digital watermarking technology to embed identifying information into document images. This copying of identification data into the visual representation of the document allows the system to reliably identify and track documents through their scanned images without requiring separate metadata files or complex tracking systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentUS10038813B2Information processing system and information processing method

Publication Date: 2018.07.31 RICOH CO LTD

AI summary

An information processing system includes an image processing apparatus and a server device, the image processing apparatus including: a read controller that reads a recording medium on which a first image is formed and in which identifying information of the first image is embedded and generates a second image; a detector that detects the embedded identifying information from the second image; and a first transmitter that transmits the detected identifying information and the second image to the server device, the server device including: a storage that stores an image and identifying information of the image in association with each other; a determining unit that determines whether the transmitted identifying information is stored in the storage unit; and a storage controller that, when it is determined that the transmitted identifying information is stored in the storage unit, stores the transmitted second image in association with the stored identifying information.