Image Processing Apparatus for Automatic Transfer Destination Extraction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing image processing systems require users to repeatedly read and input transfer destination information, such as financial institution names and account numbers, which is time-consuming and labor-intensive.

Innovation Solution

An image processing apparatus that communicates with a server to extract and recognize numbers and position information from image data of a bill, allowing for automatic acquisition and transmission of transfer destination information, thereby reducing user input.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the user manually inputs transfer destination information each time, then the system can accurately capture the transfer details, but the user experience deteriorates due to time consumption and labor intensity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser experienceVSAvoidtime consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary action by automatically extracting and storing transfer destination information from bill images in advance. The extraction unit captures the number and position information from the bill, and the storage unit preserves this data for later use. This preliminary processing eliminates the need for manual input during actual transfer operations, significantly improving user experience and reducing time consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements self-service by enabling automatic acquisition of transfer destination information through optical character recognition. The reading unit captures bill images, the extraction unit automatically identifies the number and position information, and the acquisition unit retrieves the necessary transfer destination details without requiring user intervention. This self-service mechanism directly addresses the technical contradiction by eliminating manual input while maintaining accurate transfer destination capture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Productivity

If the system automatically extracts number and position information from bill images, then the transfer process is streamlined and time is saved, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransfer processing efficiencyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies segmentation by dividing the image processing task into distinct functional modules: a reading unit for capturing bill images, an extraction unit for identifying numbers and positions, a storage unit for preserving extracted data, and an acquisition unit for retrieving transfer destination information. This modular segmentation reduces overall system complexity by making each component independent and easier to develop, maintain, and debug, while still achieving high productivity through automated information extraction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If the user manually designates transfer destination information, then the system can verify accuracy, but the labor required increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransfer destination accuracyVSAvoidlabor requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements feedback by having the extraction unit automatically identify and verify transfer destination information from the bill image. The storage unit preserves the extracted number and position information, and the acquisition unit retrieves this pre-verified data. This feedback mechanism ensures accuracy by cross-checking the extracted information against the original bill image, eliminating the need for manual verification while significantly reducing labor requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This solution significantly reduces the time and labor required for users to set transfer destination information, streamlining the transfer process and minimizing errors by automating the extraction and transmission of necessary details.

Implementation Method 1

a reading unit configured to read an original on which a transfer destination is written and generate image data of the original

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOptical scanning:

Implementation Method 2

an extraction unit configured to extract a number having a predetermined number of digits by performing optical character recognition on the image data

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOptical character recognition:

Data Source

PatentUS20230267432A1Image processing apparatus that sets information related to transfer destination, method of controlling image processing apparatus, and storage medium
Publication Date: 2023.08.24 CANON KK
  • US20230267432A1 patent drawing
  • US20230267432A1 patent drawing
  • US20230267432A1 patent drawing

AI summary

An image processing apparatus capable of reducing time and labor of a user required to set information on a transfer destination. The image processing apparatus communicates with a server which provides a transfer service. An original on which a transfer destination is written is read to generate image data of the original. Optical character recognition is performed on the image data to extract a number having a predetermined number of digits. The number and position information of the number in the image data are stored. Information on the transfer destination, included in the image data, is acquired based on the number and the position information of the number. Control is performed to transmit a transfer instruction notification including the information on the transfer destination to the server.