Cloud File Transfer System for Image Forming Apparatuses

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing file transfer systems for image forming apparatuses via a cloud server do not effectively manage file transfers and user authentication, leading to inconvenience when a remote apparatus is unavailable due to lack of user identification and file source recognition during transfers.

Innovation Solution

A file transfer system that includes a cloud server and multiple image forming apparatuses with storage, communication, input, and display devices, where the system allows user authentication, file selection, and adds identifying information to file names for easy tracking, using human sensors to detect waiting users and prevent input during transfers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If file transfer is enabled between image forming apparatuses via cloud server, then file transfer capability is improved, but user authentication and file source identification become complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefile transfer capabilityVSAvoiduser authentication and file source identification

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cloud server acts as an intermediary that manages user authentication and file transfer coordination between image forming apparatuses. The server stores user credentials, verifies authentication tokens, and maintains transfer session information, thereby simplifying the complexity at the device level while enabling versatile file transfer capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback mechanisms where the cloud server provides authentication status, file transfer progress, and source identification information back to the user interface of the image forming apparatuses. This feedback loop enables users to track and identify file sources clearly during transfer operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Ease of operation

If remote apparatus access is allowed without user identification, then ease of operation is improved, but file source recognition becomes unclear

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveremote apparatus accessVSAvoidfile source recognition

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The cloud server performs preliminary authentication and identification actions before file transfer begins. User credentials are verified in advance, and the server records the source apparatus information before the actual file transfer occurs, ensuring both ease of operation and clear file source recognition.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The cloud server mediates between the user's ease of access needs and the requirement for file source recognition. It maintains authentication records and transfer metadata that link files to their sources, providing this information to the user interface without complicating the access process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If file transfer occurs without adding identifying information, then transfer speed is improved, but user confusion increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransfer speedVSAvoidfile source identification

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system extracts identifying information (source apparatus ID, user ID, timestamp) from the transfer metadata and attaches it as separate data elements to the transferred file. This extraction approach minimizes impact on transfer speed while ensuring file source identification is preserved and visible to users.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The cloud server acts as an intermediary that efficiently handles the addition of identifying information to transferred files. It processes metadata attachment in the background during transfer operations, minimizing impact on transfer speed while ensuring proper file source identification is maintained.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS11861249B1File transfer system that transfers file among plurality of image forming apparatuses

Publication Date: 2024.01.02 KYOCERA DOCUMENT SOLUTIONS INC

AI summary

In an in-hand apparatus being operated by a user, a display device of the in-hand apparatus displays a list of image forming apparatuses that can access a cloud server, an input device of the in-hand apparatus designates an image forming apparatus selected out of the list according to a selection input, as remote apparatus. When the display device of the in-hand apparatus displays a user box stored in a storage device of the remote apparatus, and the input device of the in-hand apparatus receives an input for selecting a file out of the user box, the remote apparatus transmits the selected file to the cloud server, and the cloud server stores the file and a file name to which information proper to the remote apparatus is added, and the in-hand apparatus receives the file and the file name from the cloud server.