Image Reading System Digital Favorite Page Marking

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing image reading systems require users to create a crease in documents to mark favorite pages, limiting usability and increasing the risk of paper jams when scanning documents without folds.

Innovation Solution

An image reading system that includes a method to determine and mark favorite pages within the image data by recognizing user-defined entries, allowing specification information to be added to the image data without the need for physical creases, using a scanner and control unit to read documents, determine the presence of user-defined entries, and add corresponding information to the image data.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If users create a crease in documents to mark favorite pages, then favorite page information can be stored, but the risk of paper jams increases and usability is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefavorite page information storageVSAvoidpaper jam risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical crease-making system with an optical recognition system. Instead of requiring physical creases to mark favorite pages, the system uses image recognition to detect predetermined entries (such as specific symbols, marks, or patterns) written or printed on document pages. The control unit processes the scanned image data to identify these entries and automatically stores information about the corresponding favorite pages, eliminating the need for physical document manipulation that causes paper jams.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Loss of information

If users create a crease in documents to mark favorite pages, then favorite page information can be stored, but usability is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefavorite page information storageVSAvoidusability

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical crease-making system with an optical recognition system. Instead of requiring physical creases to mark favorite pages, the system uses image recognition to detect predetermined entries (such as specific symbols, marks, or patterns) written or printed on document pages. The control unit processes the scanned image data to identify these entries and automatically stores information about the corresponding favorite pages, eliminating the need for physical document manipulation that causes paper jams.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates a digital copy of the document and stores metadata information about favorite pages within this digital representation. Instead of modifying the physical document with creases, the patent captures the document as image data and embeds favorite page information as digital metadata, allowing multiple copies and distributions of the document without affecting the original or requiring physical markings.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Measurement precision

If the system requires physical creases to identify favorite pages, then favorite pages can be marked, but documents without creases cannot be processed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefavorite page detection accuracyVSAvoiddocument type compatibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the detection parameter from physical document deformation (creases) to visual pattern recognition (predetermined entries). By scanning the document and analyzing image data for specific symbols, marks, or patterns, the system can identify favorite pages on any document regardless of its physical state. This parameter change allows the system to process flat, folded, bound, or otherwise varied document types uniformly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a universal detection mechanism that works across multiple document types and formats. The image recognition system can identify predetermined entries on various document kinds including loose sheets, bound books, photographs, and mixed media, making the favorite page marking function adaptable to diverse documentation needs without requiring document-specific procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS12192423B2Method of producing image data and image reading system

Publication Date: 2025.01.07 SEIKO EPSON CORP

AI summary

A method of producing image data includes an image data generation step of reading a document by a reading unit and generating image data as a result of reading the document, a determination step of determining whether a predetermined entry written by a user in the document is present in the image data, and an information addition step of adding specification information to the image data in which the predetermined entry is determined to be present in the determination step, the specification information indicating presence of the predetermined entry.