Image Processing Device Marker Placement for Encrypted Document Decoding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing image processing systems face challenges in accurately placing markers for decoding encrypted areas on printed documents, particularly when multiple coded portions are closely located, leading to marker overlap and incorrect identification by reading devices.

Innovation Solution

An image processing apparatus and method that includes an area designation unit, marker area detection unit, and marking unit to properly place markers within designated areas, using priority conditions to avoid overlap and ensure correct identification by detecting suitable positions for markers within the input image.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If markers are placed at four corners of each coded portion, then the coded portion can be identified, but markers from different coded portions overlap when they are closely located

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveidentification accuracyVSAvoidmarker overlap
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by determining marker placement positions based on the specific spatial relationship between adjacent coded portions. When coded portions are closely located, the system adjusts marker positions locally to avoid overlap, while maintaining proper identification functionality. This allows different regions of the image to have different marker placement strategies.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary detection of coded portion positions and their spatial relationships before placing markers. By预先 (in advance) identifying potential overlap regions, the system can adjust marker positions proactively to avoid conflicts, rather than reacting after overlap occurs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Area of stationary object

If multiple coded portions are closely located to reduce space, then space efficiency improves, but marker detection becomes difficult due to overlaps

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespace usageVSAvoidmarker detection difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamics by making marker positions adjustable rather than fixed. The system dynamically determines optimal marker positions based on the detected spatial relationships between coded portions, allowing markers to be positioned optimally for each specific configuration while maintaining compact layout.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from detecting coded portion positions and their relationships to adjust marker placement. By continuously monitoring the spatial configuration and using this information to guide marker positioning, the system achieves both compact space usage and reliable marker detection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Measurement precision

If markers are placed to avoid overlap, then detection accuracy improves, but the complexity of determining marker positions increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemarker position precisionVSAvoidmarker placement complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the marker placement process into distinct stages: first detecting coded portion positions, then determining spatial relationships, and finally placing markers based on these relationships. This segmented approach simplifies the overall complexity by breaking down the marker placement task into manageable steps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP2587785B1Image processing device and image processing method
Publication Date: 2019.06.12 FUJITSU LTD
  • EP2587785B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2587785B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2587785B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Techniques are proposed to properly place markers to demarcate an image area to be processed. An area designation unit (1a) designates a processing area (4) within an input image (2). An image processing unit (1b) performs predetermined processing on the processing area (4). A marker area detection unit (1c) detects a marker area (5) in the input image (2), the marker area (5) being capable of accommodating a marker (6) that demarcates the processing area (4). A marking unit (1d) determines a position in the marker area (5) for placing the marker (6), based on priority conditions.