OCR Business Card Scanning for Automated Account Registration
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Solution Overview
Problem
The cumbersome process of manual data entry for online registration, particularly on mobile devices with small touchscreens or physical keyboards, hinders efficient user registration and account management.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that utilize optical character recognition (OCR) to extract data from digital images of business cards, allowing users to automatically create or update accounts by scanning the cards, with verification codes sent via text message or email to confirm account details.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual data entry is used for online registration, then data accuracy can be maintained through user input, but the registration process becomes time-consuming and cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses optical character recognition (OCR) to copy text data from images of business cards or other documents. The system captures an image containing user information, extracts the text data through OCR processing, and automatically populates registration fields with the extracted information, eliminating manual typing and significantly reducing registration time
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical process of manual keyboard input with an automated optical recognition system. Instead of requiring users to physically type information on small mobile keyboards, the system uses image capture and OCR technology to automatically extract and input data, transforming a manual mechanical task into an automated optical processing task
2Ease of operation
If manual data entry is required on mobile devices, then data can be accurately input, but the small touchscreen or physical keyboard makes the process difficult and error-prone
Solution Approach 1:
The system copies information from an existing image source (business card, document) rather than requiring users to manually input data through the limited mobile interface. This approach bypasses the usability problems of small touchscreens and physical keyboards by transferring data through image capture and automated text extraction
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary process between the user and the registration system. Instead of direct manual input, the user captures an image which is then processed through OCR technology to extract and populate the registration data. This intermediary automated process eliminates the need for users to directly interact with the limited mobile keyboard interface
3Productivity
If automated OCR extraction is used to reduce input, then registration speed improves, but verification mechanisms are needed to ensure data accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where extracted data is presented to the user for verification and correction before final submission. The system displays the OCR-extracted information in the registration form, allowing users to review and edit the data, ensuring accuracy while maintaining the efficiency benefits of automated extraction
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary data extraction and validation before final registration completion. By pre-populating fields with extracted data and providing verification opportunities before submission, the system ensures data accuracy is checked in advance, reducing errors while maintaining registration efficiency
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques are provided for automatically creating online accounts based on digital images, such as digital images of business cards. In one technique, multiple data items that have been extracted from a digital image of a business card are identified. A particular data item is contact information of a user associated with (or identified by) the business card. A verification code is sent, based on the particular data item, to a computing device of the user. The verification code is received from the computing device of the user. In response to receiving the verification code an account is created for the user and the account is modified to include a least some of the multiple data items.