Automated Contact Transfer via Image Processing Mediator

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for transferring contact information from portable terminal apparatuses to image processing apparatuses are cumbersome, requiring users to manually select and instruct the transfer of contact information while switching between the portable terminal and the image processing apparatus, leading to complex and user-unfriendly interactions.

Innovation Solution

A contact information transfer system that enables a portable terminal apparatus to launch a second application for organizing contact information upon access to an image processing apparatus, allowing for automatic transfer and display of contact information, eliminating the need for manual selection and instruction, and enabling seamless interaction between the two devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If users manually select and transfer contact information using conventional methods, then contact information can be transferred from portable terminal to image processing apparatus, but the operation becomes complex and user-unfriendly due to requiring constant switching between devices

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontact information transfer accuracyVSAvoiduser operation simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an image processing apparatus as an intermediary device that receives contact information from the portable terminal and displays it on its operation panel. This mediator allows users to confirm and manage contact information on a larger, more accessible display without needing to constantly switch between the terminal and the target device, thereby simplifying the operation while maintaining transfer accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent divides the contact information transfer process into distinct segments: (1) selection on portable terminal, (2) transfer to image processing apparatus, and (3) display/confirmation on operation panel. This segmentation allows each function to be performed on the most suitable device, improving both reliability and ease of operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If users frequently switch between portable terminal and image processing apparatus to confirm contact information, then transfer accuracy can be maintained, but time consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontact information transfer accuracyVSAvoidtransfer operation time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The image processing apparatus serves as a mediator that holds and displays contact information on its operation panel, eliminating the need for users to repeatedly switch to the portable terminal for confirmation. This reduces time loss while maintaining transfer accuracy through the intermediary display function

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The contact information is transferred to and displayed on the image processing apparatus operation panel in advance, before the user needs to access it. This preliminary action eliminates the need for repeated switching and confirmation, reducing time consumption while ensuring accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2966563B1Contact information transfer system, contact information transfer method, portable terminal apparatus, and contact information transfer program
Publication Date: 2019.11.20 KONICA MINOLTA INC
  • EP2966563B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2966563B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2966563B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A contact information transfer system includes an image processing apparatus (2) and a portable terminal apparatus (1); the portable terminal apparatus (1) includes a cooperation means (102) that launches a second application for organizing contact information upon access to the image processing apparatus (2) being enabled by a first application for accessing the image processing apparatus (2), the contact information including contact identification information and points of contact connected to the respective contact identification information, a contact information obtaining means (103) that obtains the contact information, and a transfer means (104) that transfers the contact information to the image processing apparatus (2); the image processing apparatus (2) includes a receiving means (202) that receives the contact information, a display means (260), and a display control means (204) that displays the contact information on the display means (260) by converting it into a data format supported on the display means (206).