Gamified Image Token for Glare Reduction in Document Capture

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for capturing images of identification documents on mobile devices often fail to minimize glare and shadow distortions, leading to user frustration and inefficient processor and memory usage due to subjective adjustments.

Innovation Solution

A data capture application that uses gamification techniques to guide users in adjusting the device's orientation by positioning an image token over targets, thereby adjusting image attributes to generate a composite image with minimal glare and shadow, ensuring high-quality image capture.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If user-defined adjustments of viewing angles are used, then ease of operation is improved, but manufacturing precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser-defined adjustmentsVSAvoidimage capture quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically analyzes captured images to detect glare and shadow regions, then autonomously determines optimal capture angles and parameters without requiring manual user adjustment. The computing device performs self-correction by processing image data to identify distortion areas and adjusting capture settings accordingly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides real-time feedback to the user by displaying detected glare and shadow regions in the captured image, along with guidance on how to reposition the device. This feedback loop enables users to make informed adjustments based on objective visual cues rather than subjective judgment, improving both ease of operation and image quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Ease of operation

If multiple failed attempts at generating quality image captures are allowed, then ease of operation is maintained, but productivity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser adjustment flexibilityVSAvoidprocessor and memory operations

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary analysis of the captured image to detect potential quality issues such as glare and shadow regions before the user submits the capture. By identifying problems in advance and providing guidance for correction, the system prevents multiple failed submission attempts, thereby improving productivity without restricting user flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual trial-and-error adjustment with automated image analysis and evaluation systems. The computing device uses software algorithms to objectively assess image quality, detect distortion regions, and guide corrections, substituting mechanical repeated capture attempts with intelligent automated evaluation and guidance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of operation

If subjective user-defined adjustments are used, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser adjustment capabilityVSAvoidglare and shadow correction accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides objective visual feedback by overlaying detected glare and shadow regions on the captured image, showing users exactly where distortion occurs. This replaces subjective user judgment with objective system-detected information, enabling precise identification and correction of distortion areas while maintaining user control over the adjustment process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system introduces an intermediary automated detection layer between the user and the image capture process. This intermediary analyzes the image data to identify glare and shadow regions, then communicates findings to the user through visual feedback, bridging the gap between subjective user adjustment and objective measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS11200414B2Process for capturing content from a document

Publication Date: 2021.12.14 IDEMIA IDENTITY & SECURITY USA LLC

AI summary

Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for a data capture application of a computing device that receives image data for an image of a document and uses the image data to capture content on the document while minimizing glare at the document. The data capture application receives user input for positioning an image token provided for display to a user of the data capture application. Positioning the image token causes adjustment of an attribute value of the image data. In response to receiving the user input the data capture application determines whether the attribute value of the image data satisfies a predefined attribute value. Based on the attribute value satisfying the predefined attribute value, the data capture application generates a composite image of the document using the image data received by the data capture application.