Metadata Screen Control for Scan Image Selection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing image processing techniques struggle to easily select and set metadata other than price data from image data, limiting their usability in various applications.

Innovation Solution

A method for controlling the display of a screen to set metadata on scan images using metadata templates, allowing users to select and input metadata values based on recognizable character string areas, with the system determining candidate areas matching the selected key's data format.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the system displays all character string blocks for metadata selection, then the user can select any data, but the interface becomes complex and hard to operate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemetadata selection capabilityVSAvoidinterface usability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by displaying different types of character string blocks with different visual characteristics (highlighting, borders, colors) to indicate their suitability as metadata candidates. Relevant blocks matching the selected metadata template are prominently displayed, while irrelevant blocks are dimmed or hidden, making the interface easier to operate while maintaining comprehensive selection capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary filtering mechanism that processes all character string blocks and selectively presents only relevant candidates to the user based on the metadata template. This intermediary layer (the selection logic) mediates between the complete data set and the user interface, reducing complexity while preserving adaptability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If the system automatically sets metadata values, then the productivity increases, but the measurement precision of metadata may decrease

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemetadata setting efficiencyVSAvoidmetadata accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback by allowing users to review, confirm, or modify automatically selected metadata values before final attachment. The system presents the extracted character strings for user verification and enables correction, ensuring accuracy while maintaining efficient automated processing for the initial selection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary automated extraction and filtering of candidate metadata values from character strings, preparing potential metadata before user review. This preliminary action handles the time-consuming extraction work automatically, while the user only needs to perform the simpler verification step, balancing productivity and precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS12108007B2Method for controlling display of screen for setting metadata, non-transitory storage medium, and apparatus

Publication Date: 2024.10.01 CANON KK

AI summary

Based on one metadata template determined from among a plurality of metadata templates, a screen including a scan image, a plurality of keys defined in the one determined metadata template, and value input fields each corresponding to a different one of the plurality of keys is displayed, and in a case where a user selects any one of the plurality of keys displayed in the screen, character string areas determined to match a data format of a value corresponding to the key are displayed in such a manner that the character string areas are recognizable as value candidates on the scan image.