Facsimile Data Modification During Transmission
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Facsimile machines lack the ability to modify data during transmission, limiting the flexibility to correct errors or make changes to already transmitted pages, and do not allow for real-time modification of attribute information such as headers or footers.
Innovation Solution
A facsimile machine system with a data acquisition unit, storage unit, facsimile communication unit, modification instruction reception unit, and data modification unit that allows for real-time modification of data and attribute information during transmission, enabling users to correct errors, insert, delete, or substitute pages, and update attribute information such as page numbers and totals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If facsimile machines transmit data in the conventional manner without modification capability, then the transmission process is simple and quick, but the ability to correct errors or make changes to already transmitted pages is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the facsimile transmission process into distinct functional modules: a data acquisition unit for acquiring source data, a storage unit for temporarily holding data, a facsimile communication unit for transmission, a modification instruction reception unit for receiving correction commands, and a data modification unit for executing changes. This segmentation allows the system to add modification capabilities while maintaining clear functional boundaries, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic modification capability where the facsimile transmission system can adaptively change transmitted data based on received modification instructions. The data modification unit dynamically alters already-transmitted or untransmitted pages according to correction commands, enabling the system to transition from static one-way transmission to dynamic interactive transmission, thereby improving adaptability without overwhelming complexity.
2Ease of operation
If facsimile machines allow modification of already transmitted pages, then flexibility to correct errors is improved, but transmission time and processing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs preliminary action by having the data acquisition unit acquire and the storage unit temporarily store all source data pages before facsimile transmission begins. This preliminary preparation allows the system to quickly process modification instructions during transmission by referencing pre-acquired data, rather than having to re-acquire or pause transmission to make corrections, thus improving ease of operation while minimizing time loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The storage unit serves as an intermediary between the data acquisition unit and the facsimile communication unit. It temporarily holds source data pages, allowing the data modification unit to efficiently access and modify specific pages based on correction instructions without disrupting the overall transmission flow, thereby reducing the time penalty associated with error correction.
3Adaptability or versatility
If facsimile machines transmit all pages before allowing modification, then transmission simplicity is maintained, but real-time modification capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables continuous useful action by allowing the facsimile communication unit to transmit pages while the modification instruction reception unit simultaneously receives correction commands for already-transmitted pages. The data modification unit processes these commands in real-time without interrupting the transmission sequence, maintaining continuous productive operation while adding real-time modification capability, thus resolving the contradiction between adaptability and productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
By having the storage unit preliminarily store all source data pages before transmission begins, the system prepares the data structure in advance, enabling efficient real-time modifications during transmission without requiring pausing or reprocessing, thereby maintaining high transmission efficiency while achieving real-time adaptability.
4Adaptability or versatility
If facsimile machines do not store source data temporarily, then memory usage is minimized, but ability to modify untransmitted pages is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The storage unit performs preliminary action by temporarily storing all source data pages acquired from the data acquisition unit before facsimile transmission begins. This pre-storage enables the data modification unit to access and modify any untransmitted pages based on correction instructions, providing the necessary adaptability. The temporary storage requirement is minimal compared to the benefit of enabling comprehensive modification capabilities throughout the transmission process.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A multifunctional peripheral includes an image reading unit, an image memory, a facsimile communication unit (140) a modification instruction reception unit (102), and a data modification unit (103). The image reading unit acquires data to be transmitted by facsimile. The image memory stores the acquired data. The facsimile communication unit (140) performs facsimile transmission of the data in the image memory to a counterpart. The modification instruction reception unit (102) accepts a modification instruction to modify the data of already transmitted and untransmitted pages, while the facsimile transmission to the counterpart is being performed. The data modification unit (103) modifies the data of the page designated as object of the modification while the facsimile transmission is being performed.