Optical Code Generation for Printed Document URL Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users face inconvenience when inputting long URLs in printed documents, as they need to manually enter them into a web browser, which is cumbersome and time-consuming.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus and method that extracts URLs from original documents using OCR, generates shortened URLs with a valid period, and creates optical recognition codes like barcodes or QR codes, allowing users to access web pages without directly inputting the URLs, while also obtaining and incorporating related content information into the printed documents.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If long URLs are printed in documents, then web page location information is provided, but user input convenience deteriorates due to manual entry requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates optical copies (barcodes, QR codes) of the URL information that can be scanned directly by mobile devices. Instead of requiring users to manually type long URLs, the system generates machine-readable visual representations that automatically transfer the URL data when scanned, eliminating manual input while preserving the web page location information.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary scanning mechanism between the printed document and the web browser. A mobile device with scanning capability acts as the intermediary, reading the optical code from the document and automatically navigating to the URL, thus bridging the gap between static printed information and dynamic web access without requiring manual user input.
2Loss of time
If shortened URLs are generated, then user input time is reduced, but system complexity increases due to code generation requirements
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than creating complex shortened URL systems, the patent directly encodes the full URL information into optical barcode formats that are universally readable. This approach eliminates the need for URL shortening services or redirection mechanisms, reducing system complexity while still achieving rapid access by allowing direct scanning of the complete URL information.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the essential function of URL transmission from the complex URL management system and implements it through simple optical code generation. By taking out only the necessary URL data and encoding it directly into scannable formats, the system eliminates unnecessary intermediary steps and reduces overall system complexity.
3Ease of operation
If optical recognition codes are created, then web page access is simplified, but document complexity increases due to additional code elements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses universal barcode and QR code standards that serve multiple functions: they encode URLs, can be scanned by various mobile devices, and work across different document types. This multi-functionality allows a single optical code element to handle web page access simplification without requiring document-specific customizations, thereby reducing the impact on document complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent embeds optical copies of URL information directly into the document layout in a standardized format. These optical codes are generated as separate layers or overlays that do not interfere with the original document content, allowing the document to maintain its primary function while adding the supplementary web access capability through non-intrusive code placement.
Data Source
AI summary
An example uniform resource locator (URL) information providing method includes obtaining a text from a document including location information and identifying the location information, transmitting an original URL corresponding to the identified location information to an external apparatus and receiving a shortened URL corresponding to the original URL, generating an optical recognition code corresponding to the received shortened URL and obtaining information related to a content provided from the original URL from the external apparatus based on the original URL, changing the document based on the shortened URL, the optical recognition code, and the information related to the content provided from the original URL, and generating the changed document as page description language data.