Image Processing Apparatus Consolidating Character Strings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image processing technologies face challenges in efficiently extracting and storing character strings from source images, particularly in scenarios where multiple scans of the same document lead to increased data storage requirements.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves an image processing apparatus that includes a character string file storage device, an operation device, a document reading device, and a control device. This apparatus analyzes source images, detects response input fields and question items based on predetermined format information, and extracts character strings from the response input fields, associating them with the corresponding question items and storing them in a CSV format file.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If character strings from multiple scanned documents are extracted and stored separately, then complete character string data can be obtained, but data storage requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges character string data from multiple scanned documents into a single consolidated data structure. The control device extracts character strings from each scanned document and combines them with previously extracted data, eliminating redundant storage and reducing overall data volume while maintaining completeness of information.
Solution Approach 2:
The system identifies and discards duplicate or redundant character string data that appears across multiple scans. By detecting already-stored character strings and avoiding their re-storage, the system recovers storage space while preserving all unique information through intelligent data deduplication.
2Loss of information
If character string extraction is performed on every scanned document, then data completeness is maintained, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control device performs preliminary comparison of extracted character strings against previously stored data before finalizing storage. This preliminary action identifies duplicates early in the process, allowing the system to skip redundant processing steps and reduce overall processing time while ensuring no unique data is lost.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where extraction results from current scans are continuously compared with previously processed data. This feedback loop enables the system to adaptively determine whether full extraction is necessary or if shortcuts can be taken, optimizing processing time based on real-time data state.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes a control device, acting as a controller that analyzes a source image acquired through a reading operation by the document reading device, detects a response input field included in the source image and a question item corresponding to the response input field, on a basis of predetermined format information, extracts a character string representing the response written in the response input field, and additionally writes the extracted character string, in the character string file already stored in the character string file storage device and designated by the user through the operation device, in association with the character string representing the question item, recorded in the character string file.