Secure Preview via Encoded Image Display

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Solution Overview

Problem

In image processing systems, preview images displayed on fixed devices can be viewed by unauthorized individuals, potentially leaking confidential information.

Innovation Solution

An image forming system comprising a mobile terminal device and an image forming apparatus, where the apparatus generates an encoded preview image and displays it without showing the original, while the mobile terminal device captures and decodes the encoded image to display the original preview image, ensuring only the user can view it.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the preview image is displayed on the display device fixed to the image forming apparatus, then the user can view the preview image conveniently, but the preview image may be viewed by someone other than the user, causing information leakage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconvenience of viewing preview imageVSAvoidinformation leakage risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an encoded image as an intermediary between the preview image and the display device. The encoded image appears as random noise to unauthorized viewers but can be decoded by the user's terminal device to reconstruct the original preview image. This mediator protects the confidential information while still enabling legitimate viewing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a coded copy of the preview image that can be displayed on the fixed display device without revealing the original content. The encoded image serves as a safe copy that only the authorized user can decode and view, allowing the preview function to be performed while preventing information leakage to others.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the preview image is encoded and displayed on the image forming apparatus, then information leakage is prevented, but the encoded image cannot be directly viewed by the user without additional devices

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinformation leakage preventionVSAvoidconvenience of viewing preview image

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the user's terminal device perform multiple functions: it captures the encoded image from the display device, decodes it, and displays the reconstructed preview image. This multi-functional approach allows the system to maintain security while providing convenient viewing on a portable device that the user already possesses.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the traditional mechanical approach of directly displaying images on a fixed device with an optical capture and digital decoding system. The terminal device uses its camera to capture the encoded image and processes it digitally to reconstruct the preview, substituting physical display mechanisms with optical-digital conversion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If a fixed display device is used to show the preview image, then the display is stable and accessible, but unauthorized individuals can access and view the confidential preview information

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisplay stability and accessibilityVSAvoidconfidential information leakage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different quality characteristics to different parts of the system. The display device shows an encoded image with noise-like local characteristics that conceal information, while the user's terminal device reconstructs the high-quality original preview image locally for authorized viewing only.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of the displayed image from a readable preview image to an encoded image that appears as random noise. This parameter change in the image data transforms it from a state that reveals confidential information to a state that protects it, while still preserving the ability to reconstruct the original when decoded by the authorized user.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS11455135B2Image forming system, image forming apparatus, mobile terminal device, and computer-readable non-transitory recording medium

Publication Date: 2022.09.27 KYOCERA DOCUMENT SOLUTIONS INC

AI summary

The image forming apparatus includes a display device, (a) generates a preview image corresponding to a target image to be printed, (b) generates an encoded image by encoding the preview image, and (c) displays the encoded image on the display device without displaying the preview image. The mobile terminal device (a) optically captures an encoded image displayed on the image forming device, (b) acquires a preview image by decoding the captured encoded image, and (c) displays the acquired preview image.