Pre-printed Surface with Identification Marks for Automated Planner Synchronization

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Users face difficulties in synchronizing paper and electronic planners, as they need to manually copy entries from one to the other, which is tedious and prone to errors.

Innovation Solution

A pre-printed surface with global and local identification marks allows for automated image processing, enabling correct identification and synchronization between paper and electronic planners, using graphic codes and intensity contrasts to facilitate zone recognition.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If manual copying is used to synchronize paper and electronic planners, then synchronization can be achieved, but the process is tedious and error-prone

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesynchronization speedVSAvoidsynchronization accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses optical copying technology where a camera captures an image of the paper planner, and image processing algorithms automatically extract and transfer the handwritten entries to the electronic planner, replacing manual copying with automated optical recognition

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical manual copying process with an automated system using camera imaging and computer vision algorithms to detect, recognize, and transfer information from paper to electronic format

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Extent of automation

If automated image processing is implemented, then synchronization efficiency improves, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesynchronization automationVSAvoidimage processing system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a standard camera device that serves multiple functions - capturing images of the paper planner, providing GPS location data, and storing the original image, rather than requiring specialized dedicated hardware for each function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses the smartphone's built-in camera and processing capabilities to perform the synchronization task independently, leveraging existing device resources rather than requiring external specialized equipment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Measurement precision

If image correction for perspective is applied, then identification accuracy improves, but processing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveentry identification accuracyVSAvoidprocessing time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent pre-structures the paper planner with specific graphical codes and identification marks positioned at known locations, allowing the system to quickly locate and correct perspective distortion without extensive image analysis

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses distinct visual characteristics of identification marks (such as contrast, color, or pattern differences from surrounding content) to enable rapid automatic detection and localization of these marks for perspective correction

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

Data Source

PatentUS10102464B2Pre-printed surface for handwriting, comprising a pre-printed graphical representation of the passing of a period of time, and associated computer program

Publication Date: 2018.10.16 HOLDHAM

AI summary

A pre-printed surface for handwriting includes a pre-printed graphical representation of the passing of a period of time and at least one entry creation zone so that a user can identify part of the period of time and create an entry in the period of time. The pre-printed surface also includes a pre-printed mark for local identification of at least the entry creation zone. The pre-printed surface also includes a pre-printed mark for global identification on the pre-printed surface.