Automated OCR Service Selection for Image Processing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users face increased burden in selecting the appropriate apparatus for optical character recognition (OCR) processing among multiple available options, leading to a less user-friendly experience due to differences in performance, cost, and features between built-in and cloud OCR services.
Innovation Solution
An information processing apparatus that obtains image data and relevant information about available OCR services, including setting and attribute information, to determine the optimal service for OCR processing, thereby automating the selection process and reducing user burden.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a user manually selects an apparatus for optical character recognition processing from among multiple apparatuses, then the user can choose based on specific needs, but the user's burden increases and the selection process becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service by allowing the image forming apparatus to automatically determine and select the appropriate OCR processing apparatus based on document characteristics and pre-stored apparatus information, eliminating the need for manual user selection and reducing operational burden
Solution Approach 2:
The image forming apparatus acts as an intermediary between the user and multiple OCR apparatuses, automatically analyzing document characteristics and selecting the most suitable OCR processing apparatus, thereby simplifying the interface between user and system while managing complexity
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple OCR apparatuses with different performance, cost, and features are provided, then processing options increase, but the selection difficulty and user burden increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by storing apparatus information (processing capabilities, costs, features) in advance and automatically retrieving and comparing this information to determine the most suitable OCR apparatus, enabling versatile selection without requiring user knowledge of each apparatus's characteristics
Solution Approach 2:
The automatic determination mechanism enables self-service by autonomously analyzing document characteristics and matching them with appropriate OCR apparatus capabilities, allowing the system to adapt to different processing needs without user intervention in the selection process
3Extent of automation
If automatic determination of OCR apparatus is implemented, then user burden is reduced, but the system requires obtaining and processing information about multiple apparatuses
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by pre-storing comprehensive information about multiple OCR apparatuses including processing capabilities, costs, and features in a database, so that automatic determination can be performed by simply retrieving and comparing this pre-organized information rather than gathering it in real-time
Solution Approach 2:
The image forming apparatus serves as an intermediary that manages the complexity of information about multiple OCR apparatuses, automatically obtaining, storing, and processing this information to enable seamless automated selection without exposing the complexity to the user
Data Source
AI summary
An information processing apparatus includes a processor configured to: obtain image data; obtain information including at least one of setting information set in advance for optical character recognition processing by plural apparatuses capable of communicating with the information processing apparatus or attribute information of each of the plural apparatuses; and based on the obtained image data and the obtained information, determine an apparatus used for optical character recognition processing of the image data from among the plural apparatuses.