Image Processing Apparatus Networked Service Offloading
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image processing systems are inefficient in utilizing processing resources for character-string images, as they require storing dictionary information and programs for various languages and technical fields, leading to inefficient use of resources, especially when these are not frequently used.
Innovation Solution
An image processing system that communicates with data processing service devices to perform required data processing services, such as translation and commentary, by searching for and requesting services from devices capable of performing these tasks, thereby eliminating the need for local storage of all processing resources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If each server stores processing resources such as dictionaries and programs for multiple languages and specialized fields, then the image processing apparatus can perform data processing services, but the processing resources are not efficiently utilized, especially for infrequently used languages and fields
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the centralized server into multiple distributed data processing service devices, each specializing in specific data processing tasks (translation, commentary, etc.). This segmentation allows each device to focus on particular functions, improving overall resource utilization efficiency while maintaining system versatility through the collective capabilities of multiple specialized devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The image processing apparatus is designed with universal communication capabilities to interact with multiple different data processing service devices. The apparatus can perform various data processing services by communicating with different specialized devices, achieving multi-functionality without each device needing to store all processing resources locally.
2Adaptability or versatility
If each server stores high-capacity storage means to support many languages and specialized fields, then the processing resources are available, but the storage resources are wasted when languages and fields are not frequently used
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges the storage and processing resources of multiple external data processing service devices into a unified networked resource pool. Instead of each server duplicating storage resources, the system combines access to specialized resources across multiple devices, reducing total storage requirements while maintaining support for multiple languages and specialized fields.
Solution Approach 2:
The image processing apparatus acts as an intermediary between users and multiple data processing service devices. It manages communication and resource allocation, allowing users to access specialized resources on-demand without requiring local storage of all resources. This mediator role enables efficient resource sharing across the network.
3Ease of operation
If processing resources are stored in each server that is set beforehand as a target of access, then data processing services can be provided, but the system complexity increases and resource allocation becomes inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
Data processing service devices automatically register their capabilities and services with the system. The image processing apparatus can autonomously discover and select appropriate service devices based on processing requirements, eliminating the need for manual configuration and reducing system complexity while maintaining ease of operation.
Data Source
AI summary
In a circumstance where an image processing apparatus is connected to and capable of communicating with a plurality of processing servers each performing a specific data processing service, what kind of processing is performed on document image data read out from a document by image reading means is determined in accordance with the document image data. Then an address of a processing server capable of performing the processing thus determined is searched. Then at least a part of the document image data or character-string image extracted therefrom is supplied to the address thus searched, and the data processing service is requested. From this address, a result of the data processing service is obtained, and the obtained result of the data processing service is outputted. With this arrangement, when an image is read out from a document and a result of image processing corresponding to a character-string image in the document image, it is possible to efficiently utilize the processing resources such as dictionary information and a program, which are required for performing data processing on the character-string image.