Facsimile Data Management System Grouping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing facsimile data management systems face complexity in controlling and organizing facsimile documents received from multiple machines across different sites or organizations, lacking efficient methods for grouping and storing these documents in a manner that facilitates easy retrieval and management.

Innovation Solution

A management system that groups facsimile machines by site or organization, using a hierarchical folder structure to store and manage received facsimile data, allowing for easy browsing and retrieval through a network, with features like automatic registration of new machines and user-friendly interface for selecting browsing options.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If facsimile machines from multiple groups are collectively stored in a file server, then storage capacity is improved, but control complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestorage capacityVSAvoidcontrol complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the file server storage into multiple virtual folders corresponding to different facsimile machine groups. Each group has its own virtual folder structure, allowing independent organization and control of facsimile documents while maintaining centralized storage. This segmentation reduces control complexity by enabling group-specific management policies and access controls.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a management apparatus as an intermediary between the file server and facsimile machines. This apparatus handles the complexity of group management, folder creation, and document routing automatically, shielding users from the underlying system complexity while enabling efficient storage and control of facsimile data from multiple groups.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If automatic digitization and storage is implemented, then processing efficiency is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing efficiencyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements automatic digitization and storage functionality where the system self-manages facsimile document processing. The management apparatus automatically creates virtual folders, organizes documents by group, and handles storage without requiring manual intervention. This automation improves processing efficiency while the self-service mechanism simplifies user interaction despite the underlying system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3975534B1Management apparatus, management system, method for managing facsimile data, and carrier means
Publication Date: 2024.11.06 RICOH CO LTD
  • EP3975534B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3975534B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3975534B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A management apparatus (10) that stores facsimile data received by an electronic devices (12) includes a received facsimile data management unit (20) that stores, in a memory, the received facsimile data in association with information on a group to which a destination of the received facsimile data belongs, and a list response unit (22) configured to transmit a list of the received facsimile data based on a browse request of the received facsimile data. In the list, the received facsimile data is classified according to at least the information on the group to which the destination belongs.