Point Card Management via Image Extraction and Server Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing point card management systems lack efficient methods for users to easily manage and utilize their point card information, particularly in tracking accumulated points and expiration dates, leading to potential misuse or expiration of points.
Innovation Solution
A point card management system that integrates an image processing device and a network-connected storage device, enabling users to read and process point card images, extract description information, transmit data between devices, and generate print layouts for accumulating information, facilitating secure and efficient point card data management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If point card information is manually managed, then users can access their point card data, but users cannot easily track accumulated points and expiration dates, leading to potential misuse or expiration of points
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically reads point card information using an image reading unit, extracts description information including accumulation information, and manages the data without requiring manual user intervention. The system serves itself by automatically tracking expiration dates and notifying users, eliminating the need for manual tracking while preventing point expiration.
2Adaptability or versatility
If point card data is stored locally only, then data access is simple, but users cannot securely share or access point card information across multiple devices
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces a storage device as an intermediary that securely stores point card information and enables authorized access across multiple devices. The storage device receives description information from the image processing device, stores it securely, and provides access to users through authenticated connections, thereby enabling cross-device accessibility while maintaining data security through controlled access mechanisms.
3Productivity
If automated image reading and data extraction is implemented, then point card information processing is efficient, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The image processing device integrates multiple functions including image reading, description information extraction, and data transmission capabilities within a single system. The storage device similarly combines data storage, reception, and transmission functions. This multi-functionality approach consolidates what could be separate complex systems into unified devices, achieving automated efficient processing while managing overall system complexity through functional integration.
Data Source
AI summary
A point card management system includes a multifunction peripheral that processes an image and a server that is connectable to the multifunction peripheral via a network. The multifunction peripheral includes a read request receiving unit, an image read control unit, and a description information acquisition unit. The description information acquisition unit acquires description information of the point card from the image of the point card read by the image reading unit. The server includes a server hard disk and an extraction unit. The extraction unit extracts the accumulation information of the point card from pieces of information of the point card, which have been stored in the server hard disk, based on the description information of the point card, which has been received.