Information Processing Apparatus for Cross-System Data Identification Mapping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing information processing systems struggle to efficiently manage and control electronic data across different systems, particularly in workflows involving external service systems, where coordination of identification information is lacking.

Innovation Solution

An information processing apparatus that receives electronic data and requests from a terminal, assigns identification information, and transmits requests for processing to an external service system, while acquiring and storing secondary identification information for control purposes, thereby associating it with primary identification information.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If electronic data is transmitted to external service systems for processing, then processing capability is improved, but coordination of identification information becomes complex and error-prone

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing capabilityVSAvoidcoordination complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism (the information processing apparatus) that mediates between the terminal device and external service systems. This intermediary assigns first identification information to electronic data, transmits the data to external systems, receives second identification information from those systems, and stores the correspondence between the two identification types. This mediator resolves the coordination complexity by centralizing the management of identification information mapping.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements a feedback loop where the information processing apparatus sends electronic data to external service systems with first identification information, receives processing results along with second identification information, and then stores the correspondence between first and second identification information. This feedback mechanism ensures that identification information is continuously synchronized and coordinated across different systems, resolving the complexity issue.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple identification information systems are used across different systems, then system independence is maintained, but data retrieval and control across systems becomes inefficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem independenceVSAvoiddata retrieval efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the functionality of multiple independent identification information systems into a unified management approach. The information processing apparatus maintains correspondence between first identification information (from the terminal system) and second identification information (from external service systems) in a centralized storage unit. This merging allows data to be retrieved efficiently using either type of identification information while preserving the independence of the underlying systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The information processing apparatus serves multiple functions: it acts as an assignment unit for first identification information, a transmission unit to external systems, an acquisition unit for second identification information, and a storage unit for maintaining correspondences. This multi-functional design enables the system to handle different identification information types universally, improving ease of operation while maintaining system independence.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Measurement precision

If identification information is assigned and stored in association, then data control accuracy is improved, but information processing overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata control accuracyVSAvoidprocessing overhead

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The information processing apparatus performs preliminary action by assigning first identification information to electronic data before transmitting it to external service systems. The correspondence between first and second identification information is established in advance and stored in the storage unit. This preliminary setup ensures accurate data control when needed, while the pre-established mappings reduce processing overhead during actual data retrieval and control operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS20250148022A1Information processing apparatus, data management method, and non-transitory recording medium

Publication Date: 2025.05.08 RICOH CO LTD

AI summary

An information processing apparatus includes circuitry to receive, from a terminal, first electronic data and a request for processing the first electronic data; assign, to the first electronic data, first identification information used to control the first electronic data; transmit a request for performing predetermined processing on the first electronic data via a network to an external service system that performs the predetermined processing; and acquire, via the network from the external service system, second identification information used by the external service system to control the first electronic data. The circuitry stores, in a memory, the second identification information in association with the first identification information.