Distribution Processor Automates Copy Counting for Meeting Materials

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing systems for distributing meeting materials require users to manually set the printing necessity and number of copies for each recipient, leading to operational inefficiencies and potential omissions in printing requirements.

Innovation Solution

A distribution processor that automates the counting of recipients needing printed materials and generates printing information, including the number of copies and distribution members, eliminating the need for manual setting and ensuring accurate distribution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual setting of printing necessity and number of copies for each recipient is performed, then distribution accuracy can be maintained, but operational efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedistribution accuracyVSAvoidoperational efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically determines printing necessity and calculates the number of copies for each recipient based on their device types and distribution history, eliminating the need for manual configuration while maintaining accurate distribution. The processor self-manages the distribution parameters without requiring user intervention for each recipient.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system pre-registers distribution members and their device information in advance, storing device types and communication addresses in a database. This preliminary setup enables automatic determination of printing requirements without manual setting during actual distribution operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If groups and members are registered in advance to specify delivery preferences, then distribution control is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedistribution controlVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The distribution processor handles multiple functions including automatic determination of printing necessity, calculation of copy numbers, selection of delivery methods, and execution of distribution. This multi-functional integration simplifies the overall system architecture while maintaining reliable distribution control across different scenarios.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system introduces a distribution processor as an intermediary between the user and the distribution members. This processor automatically manages the complex tasks of determining printing requirements and selecting delivery methods based on pre-registered member information, reducing the complexity visible to end users.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Measurement precision

If the user counts copies and specifies addresses manually, then distribution precision is maintained, but loss of time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedistribution precisionVSAvoidoperation time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces manual mechanical counting and address specification with automated electronic processing. The processor automatically counts the number of copies needed based on recipient device types and retrieves pre-registered address information from the database, eliminating time-consuming manual operations while maintaining precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from pre-registered member information and device type detection to automatically determine distribution parameters. By continuously referencing stored member profiles and their device characteristics, the system maintains accurate distribution without requiring manual verification of each parameter.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS11567718B2Distribution processor, image forming apparatus, and distribution processing method

Publication Date: 2023.01.31 SHARP KK

AI summary

A distribution processor performs processing related to distribution of materials. The distribution processor includes a storage storing material data and material distribution information including a sending address and printing necessity of the material data for each of distribution members, a counter counting based on the material distribution information or the material data, a data sending processor sending the material data to the sending address of each of the distribution members for the material data based on the material distribution information and a counting result of the counter, and a printing information generating section generating printing information for printing the material data. The counter counts the number of copies to be printed of the material data distributed according to the printing necessity. The printing information generating section generates the printing information including the distribution members and the number of copies to be printed counted by the counter.