Chatbot Proxy Printing via Talk Room Automation

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Solution Overview

Problem

In remote work scenarios, finding a suitable proxy for printing documents can be time-consuming and inefficient, as users often need to contact multiple individuals before finding someone available to perform proxy printing, and the process involves additional steps for the requester and the proxy, including file acquisition and printing setup.

Innovation Solution

An information processing apparatus and method that utilizes a chatbot to facilitate proxy printing by posting request information in a talk room, allowing users to select from a list of potential proxies and automating the file transfer and printing process, reducing the workload for both the requester and the proxy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If users manually contact multiple individuals to find a proxy for printing, then the printing task can be completed, but the time required and effort involved increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprinting task completion speedVSAvoidtime to find proxy and complete printing

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables self-service by allowing users to autonomously find and select suitable proxies through automated posting of printing requests in talk rooms and automatic notification of available proxies, eliminating the need for manual contact with multiple individuals

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The chatbot serves as an intermediary that mediates between the user requesting printing and potential proxies, automatically posting requests, receiving responses, and facilitating the selection process without requiring direct user-to-user communication

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the proxy printing process involves multiple manual steps including file acquisition and printing setup, then the printing can be performed, but the workload for both requester and proxy increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity of proxy printing processVSAvoidnumber of steps in printing process

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system merges multiple separate operations (file acquisition, printing setup, and execution) into a single integrated process where the proxy receives the print object and performs printing through unified system coordination, reducing the number of discrete steps the user must manually manage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The chatbot and system automatically handle file transfer and printing setup as intermediary functions, freeing users from manually performing these technical steps and simplifying their interaction to just requesting and selecting proxies

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If users need to contact multiple individuals to find an available proxy, then printing can be arranged, but the effort and time required increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveavailability of proxyVSAvoidtime to locate available proxy

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by automatically posting printing requests to talk rooms in advance and proactively notifying users who are available to act as proxies, so that when a user needs printing, suitable proxies are already identified and ready to respond

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback loops where proxies respond to posted requests, and the chatbot automatically communicates availability and status back to users, enabling quick identification of suitable proxies without manual searching

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS11556295B2Information processing apparatus, non-transitory computer readable medium, and information processing method

Publication Date: 2023.01.17 FUJIFILM BUSINESS INNOVATION CORP

AI summary

An information processing apparatus includes: a processor configured to: post request information requesting a proxy printing of a print object through a talk room when a chatbot controlled by the processor receives a request for the proxy printing of the print object posted in the talk room by a requester; and output the print object to an image forming apparatus as a print object of a proxy who accepts the proxy printing of the print object through the talk room to which the request information is posted.