Image Reading Apparatus Metadata Addition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current image reading and forming apparatuses lack the ability to efficiently add and transfer attribute information related to document types during the scanning process, limiting the metadata available for image data stored or transferred.
Innovation Solution
An image reading apparatus is designed with a reading unit, an addition unit, and a transfer unit, where the addition unit adds attribute information to the image data based on preset items and document types, and the transfer unit sends this enhanced data to a specified destination, incorporating user authentication and input for required and arbitrary attribute items.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If attribute information is added to image data during scanning, then the quality and context of image data are enhanced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the attribute information addition function directly into the image reading apparatus, combining the scanning unit and addition unit into a single integrated system. This allows metadata to be added during the scanning process itself, rather than requiring a separate post-processing step, thus enhancing information quality while managing device complexity through functional integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by adding attribute information at the time of scanning, before the image data is stored or transferred. The addition unit incorporates metadata such as document type, creation date, and other attributes during the initial reading process, ensuring that information is embedded early in the workflow rather than added later, which improves efficiency and data integrity.
2Productivity
If attribute information is added during scanning, then document organization and management are improved, but the processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs the attribute information addition as a preliminary action during the scanning process itself. The addition unit operates concurrently with or immediately following the reading unit, embedding metadata before the image data proceeds to storage or transfer. This eliminates the need for separate post-scanning metadata addition steps, thereby improving document management efficiency without significant time penalty.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent maintains continuity of useful action by keeping the scanning and attribute addition processes integrated and sequential. The reading unit and addition unit operate in a continuous workflow where image data flows directly from scanning to metadata enrichment without interruption or separate handling steps, ensuring that the enhanced document management capability does not introduce significant processing delays.
Data Source
AI summary
An image reading apparatus includes a reading unit, an addition unit, and a transfer unit. The reading unit reads image data from a document. The addition unit adds attribute information regarding a preset item to the image data read by the reading unit. The transfer unit transfers to a specified destination the image data to which the attribute information is added by the addition unit.