Image Processing System Tracing Data Watermarking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current image processing systems lack an efficient method to track and manage access logs for registered information, making it difficult to detect unauthorized access or data leakage.

Innovation Solution

An image processing system that generates tracing data, embeds it as a digital watermark in user input information, and associates it with access authorization, allowing for the tracking and display of access logs through a network of image processing apparatus, database, and tracing apparatus.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If digital watermarking is implemented to trace registered information, then security and detection capability are improved, but system complexity increases due to additional components for generating and managing tracing data

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesecurityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the tracing functionality into separate modules: an image processing apparatus that embeds digital watermarks, a database that stores tracing data, and a tracing apparatus that retrieves and displays access logs. This segmentation allows each component to specialize in one aspect of the tracing process, improving overall security while making the complex system more manageable and maintainable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a database as an intermediary component that stores tracing data between the image processing apparatus and the tracing apparatus. This mediator enables the system to maintain detailed security records without requiring direct complex interactions between all system components, thus improving security monitoring capability while managing system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If access log tracking is implemented for all registered information, then detection capability for unauthorized access is improved, but information loss increases due to the large volume of access data that must be managed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection capabilityVSAvoidinformation loss
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the essential tracing information (access logs, timestamps, user identifiers) from the registered information and stores it separately in a database. This extraction approach enables precise detection of unauthorized access while preventing information loss by maintaining the original registered information intact and storing only the necessary tracking data in a separate, manageable format.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates copies of access-related information (not the original registered content) and stores them in a database for tracking purposes. This copying mechanism allows the system to maintain detailed detection capability for unauthorized access while preserving the original information and avoiding loss, as the copies are specifically designed for monitoring rather than storage of complete data sets.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Reliability

If a centralized system for managing tracing data is implemented, then security control is improved, but adaptability decreases due to fixed system placement requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecurity controlVSAvoidadaptability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent designs the database and tracing apparatus as universal components that can serve multiple functions: storing tracing data for different types of registered information, supporting various access log formats, and enabling different tracing operations (viewing, analyzing, reporting). This multi-functionality improves security control across diverse applications while maintaining adaptability to different system deployment scenarios and information types.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements dynamic querying and filtering capabilities in the tracing apparatus, allowing users to adapt the tracing data display and analysis to specific needs and contexts. This dynamic approach enables the centralized system to maintain strong security control while adapting to different user requirements, information types, and deployment environments, thus preserving versatility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS11036833B2Image processing system, information processing method, and non-transitory computer-readable medium
Publication Date: 2021.06.15 RICOH CO LTD
  • US11036833B2 patent drawing
  • US11036833B2 patent drawing
  • US11036833B2 patent drawing

AI summary

An image processing system includes circuitry. The circuitry accepts, from a user, an input of information to be registered. The circuitry registers the inputted information as registered information. The circuitry generates tracing data to be used for tracing the registered information. The circuitry outputs the tracing data. The circuitry associates access authorization to an access log for the registered information with the tracing data. The circuitry accepts an input of the tracing data. The circuitry acquires the access log that is associated with the inputted tracing data, and displays the acquired access log.