Digital Image Cell Redaction for Secure Document Display

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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

The method involves dividing digital images into image cells, selectively redacting sensitive portions using techniques like blurring or pixelation, creating a secure display without altering the original image, and implementing this process automatically on the backend to protect personal and financial information.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If digital images of documents are displayed online for viewing and processing, then ease of transmission and access is improved, but security of sensitive information deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of transmission and accessVSAvoidsecurity risk of sensitive information
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the digital image into multiple image cells, allowing selective redaction of specific regions containing sensitive information while leaving other regions visible. This segmentation enables differential security treatment of different parts of the same document image.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different processing qualities to different regions of the image - some regions are redacted (blurred or pixelated) while others remain clear and legible. This local quality differentiation allows the image to simultaneously provide access to necessary information while protecting sensitive data in specific locations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Object-affected harmful factors

If manual editing tools are used to redact sensitive information from digital images, then security of sensitive information is improved, but productivity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecurity of sensitive informationVSAvoidprocessing efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements automated redaction systems that can automatically identify and redact sensitive information in digital images without requiring manual intervention. The system serves itself by processing images through programmed algorithms that detect and protect sensitive data regions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies redaction processing in advance during image transmission or storage, so that sensitive information is protected before the image is viewed or distributed. This preliminary security measure eliminates the need for later manual editing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Object-affected harmful factors

If sensitive information is completely hidden in digital images, then security of sensitive information is improved, but loss of useful information increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecurity of sensitive informationVSAvoidlegibility of usable information
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the image into redacted and non-redacted regions, allowing useful information to remain visible and legible while only sensitive portions are obscured. This selective approach prevents unnecessary loss of information.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies redaction only to specific local regions containing sensitive information rather than obscuring the entire image. This localized treatment preserves the legibility and usability of non-sensitive portions of the document.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3567840B1Methods and apparatus for securely displaying digital images
Publication Date: 2024.04.10 THE 41ST PARAMETER
  • EP3567840B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3567840B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3567840B1 patent drawingFigure 3

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 indecipherable. The invention also provides methods and apparatus for redacting information to be secured in a high throughput automated process.