Image Processing Apparatus Direct Expense Data Registration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional image processing systems require users to print and re-scan voucher images, limiting convenience as they cannot be directly registered as expense data without physical interaction, especially when accessed remotely or outside regular hours.

Innovation Solution

An image processing apparatus that communicates with an expense processing server to automatically transmit and register image data received from external devices as voucher data, eliminating the need for printing and re-scanning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If image data is received and directly transmitted to expense processing server, then productivity is improved by eliminating print and re-scan steps, but device complexity increases due to network communication requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevoucher registration efficiencyVSAvoidsystem integration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the image receiving function, image processing function, and expense data transmission function into a single integrated image forming apparatus. This merging eliminates the need for separate printing and scanning devices, directly resolving the technical contradiction by improving productivity through workflow consolidation while managing device complexity through functional integration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The image forming apparatus is designed to perform multiple functions: receiving images from external devices, processing the image data, transmitting to the expense processing server, and optionally printing. This multi-functionality allows the single device to replace multiple separate devices, improving productivity while the integrated design manages the complexity through unified control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of operation

If automatic transmission of image data is implemented, then ease of operation is improved by eliminating manual print and scan steps, but device complexity increases due to automated processing requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser convenienceVSAvoidautomated processing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The image forming apparatus automatically transmits received image data to the expense processing server without requiring user intervention for printing and re-scanning. The device performs self-service by handling the complete workflow from image reception to expense data registration automatically, improving ease of operation while the internal automation manages the processing complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The apparatus performs preliminary processing of the received image data, including format conversion and expense data extraction, before transmission to the server. This preliminary action prepares the data in advance, simplifying the user's operation while the automated preprocessing manages the technical complexity of data preparation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Measurement precision

If image data is printed and re-scanned, then measurement precision is maintained through physical voucher handling, but loss of time occurs due to repeated processing steps

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevoucher data accuracyVSAvoidprocessing time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the essential expense data directly from the received image data through OCR and data processing functions, eliminating the need for physical printing and re-scanning. This extraction approach maintains measurement precision by directly capturing data from the original image while significantly reducing time loss by removing intermediate physical handling steps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical process of printing and re-scanning with an electronic/digital process. The image data is processed and transmitted electronically through the network, substituting the mechanical print-scan cycle with digital data flow, thereby maintaining data accuracy while eliminating time-consuming physical operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS11838457B2Image processing apparatus, control method, for directly registering image data received by the image forming apparatus as voucher data in an expense processing system without printing the image data

Publication Date: 2023.12.05 CANON KK

AI summary

An image processing apparatus is provided and is capable of directly registering image data received by the image forming apparatus in an expense processing system as voucher data without printing the image data. The image processing apparatus according to the present invention is an image processing apparatus capable of communicating with an expense processing server that registers a character string included in received image data as expense data. The image processing apparatus includes a reception unit configured to receive image data from an external apparatus and a transmission unit configured to automatically transmit the image data received by the reception unit to the expense processing server.