Scanned Document Mask Region Naming With Overlap Preview

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing image processing systems fail to effectively utilize information from masked regions of scanned documents for file naming and folder organization, especially when confidentiality is a concern, leading to inefficiencies in document management and sharing.

Innovation Solution

An image processing apparatus and method that allows for the use of information from masked regions of scanned documents, such as character strings or barcodes, for generating appropriate file names and folder paths, while ensuring confidentiality by masking sensitive information.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If information from masked regions is used for file naming, then document organization convenience is improved, but information security deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedocument organization convenienceVSAvoidinformation security
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the document information into two categories: masked region information (used for file naming) and visible region information (used for document content). This segmentation allows the system to selectively use information from different regions for different purposes, enabling convenient document organization through masked information while maintaining security by keeping the original masking applied to the visible document content.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If masked region information is extracted for file naming, then document management efficiency is improved, but confidentiality protection deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedocument management efficiencyVSAvoidconfidentiality breach risk
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts information specifically from masked regions for file naming purposes, separating this extraction function from the document content display. The system takes out the necessary information from masked areas to create meaningful file names and folder paths, while the original document content remains masked and confidential. This extraction occurs in a controlled manner that does not compromise the overall masking protection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Speed

If automatic file naming using masked region information is implemented, then processing speed is improved, but security risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefile naming processing speedVSAvoidsecurity vulnerability
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary masking of sensitive information in the document content before file naming occurs. The masking is applied in advance to the document content, while the system simultaneously accesses the masked region information for file naming purposes. This preliminary action ensures that security protection is established before any information extraction for naming, preventing security vulnerabilities while maintaining processing speed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4380142B1Image processing apparatus, image processing method, and storage medium capable of storing electronic file including mask region with appropriate name
Publication Date: 2026.01.14 CANON KK
  • EP4380142B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4380142B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4380142B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An image processing apparatus controls a display device to display a preview of a scanned image; designates a first region where masking is applied to the scanned image; and designates a second region including character information to be used for storing the scanned image, wherein, in a case that there is an overlapping region in which the first region and the second region overlap, the overlapping region is displayed on the preview so that a user is able to recognize the overlapping region.