Mixed Media Reality System Bridging Printed and Digital Documents

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a gap between the physical world of printed media and the virtual multimedia-based world, as users lack the tools to seamlessly link static printed documents with digital communication and interactive content, missing out on the benefits of both formats.

Innovation Solution

A Mixed Media Reality (MMR) system that combines printed paper with electronic media, using a processor, capture device, communication mechanism, and memory with software to create and modify mixed media documents, enabling access to digital content and facilitating business transactions, data queries, and collaborative discussions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If printed media is used to communicate information, then tactile feel, no power requirements, and permanency are provided, but interactivity and digital multimedia capabilities are lost

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovepermanencyVSAvoidinteractivity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary system that includes a capture device, processing system, and communication mechanism. This intermediary bridges printed media and digital media by capturing images of printed documents, processing them to extract information, and transmitting that information to electronic devices, thereby enabling interactivity while preserving the use of printed media

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables printed documents to serve multiple functions: they can be read traditionally for their tactile and permanent qualities, and simultaneously serve as triggers for digital content retrieval, collaboration features, and information sharing across different devices and platforms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of operation

If digital media is used for information communication, then portability and ease of transmission are improved, but tactile feel and power independence are lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of transmissionVSAvoidpower requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses partial action by utilizing only the necessary portions of digital technology. Instead of fully transitioning to digital media, it selectively applies digital processing and transmission only when needed to enhance printed media functionality, thereby maintaining power independence while gaining transmission capabilities

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Adaptability or versatility

If a link between printed media and digital media is created, then benefits of both formats are achieved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemixed media capabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system is divided into separate functional modules: a capture device for imaging printed documents, a processing system for extracting and converting information, and a communication mechanism for transmitting data. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and simplifies the overall system architecture

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Use of energy by moving object

If printed media is used, then no power requirements are needed, but ease of transmission and digital content access are limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower independenceVSAvoidease of transmission

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables printed documents to serve themselves by automatically triggering digital content retrieval when captured. The printed media acts as the trigger that initiates the entire process of digital content access, collaboration feature activation, and information sharing without requiring active power input from the printed media itself

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS10192279B1Indexed document modification sharing with mixed media reality

Publication Date: 2019.01.29 RICOH CO LTD

AI summary

A Mixed Media Reality (MMR) system and associated techniques are disclosed. The MMR system provides mechanisms for forming a mixed media document that includes media of at least two types (e.g., printed paper as a first medium and digital content and/or web link as a second medium). The present invention provides systems, methods, and computer program products for modifying documents for shared use, and for collaborative discussion of shared documents. Captured digital images of documents or portions associated with a user are received, along with modifications to the images. Documents are recognized from the captured digital images, and the modifications to the images are applied to the documents. Alternatively, captured digital images of documents are received, and the documents are recognized along with a hotspot in the document. The user is authenticated to a website associated with the hotspot, and is provided access to an associated multimedia repository.