Dynamic Connection Number Allocation for Fax and IP-Fax Modes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional FAX drivers allocate a fixed outside line connection number regardless of communication mode, leading to errors in IP-FAX environments where a dedicated connection number is not required, resulting in unnecessary numbers being added to destinations.
Innovation Solution
An information processing apparatus with a receiving unit for user input, a determination unit to identify communication mode, and a control unit to use appropriate connection numbers based on the mode, ensuring correct allocation for FAX or IP-FAX transmissions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a fixed outside line connection number is uniformly allocated regardless of communication mode, then the allocation procedure is simplified, but transmission errors occur in IP-FAX environments where connection numbers are not required
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically selects and allocates outside line connection numbers based on the detected communication mode (FAX or IP-FAX). When IP-FAX mode is detected, no connection number is allocated; when FAX mode is detected, the appropriate connection number is allocated. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by making the allocation process both simple (automatic detection) and reliable (mode-appropriate allocation).
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the allocation parameter (outside line connection number) based on the communication mode parameter. By detecting the communication mode first and then adjusting the connection number allocation accordingly, the system achieves both simplified procedure (automatic parameter adjustment) and transmission accuracy (correct parameter for each mode).
2Reliability
If an outside line connection number is always added to the destination, then FAX transmissions work correctly, but unnecessary numbers are added to IP-FAX transmissions causing errors
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of the communication mode before allocating the outside line connection number. By detecting whether the mode is FAX or IP-FAX in advance, the system can conditionally allocate the connection number only when necessary (FAX mode), preventing both transmission errors and unnecessary allocations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system extracts and removes the outside line connection number allocation step when the communication mode is detected as IP-FAX. By conditionally eliminating this step based on mode detection, the system prevents transmission errors while maintaining correct FAX transmissions.
3Reliability
If automatic detection of communication mode is implemented, then correct connection number allocation is achieved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the destination number itself to automatically detect the communication mode without requiring additional user input or complex external verification. The detection is self-contained within the existing number processing flow, achieving reliable mode detection while minimizing system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The existing destination number processing function is made multi-functional by adding automatic mode detection capability to it. The same processing unit that handles destination numbers also performs mode detection, eliminating the need for separate detection mechanisms and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining allocation accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention provides an information processing apparatus capable of preliminarily determining a connection number for each communication mode and easily allocating a suitable connection number to a communication mode designated by a user. A method for controlling the information processing apparatus includes receiving a destination number from a user, determining a communication mode for each received destination number, controlling an information processing apparatus in such a way as to use the destination number and a first connection number as a destination if the determined communication mode is a FAX mode, and controlling the information processing apparatus in such a way as to use the destination number and a second connection number as a destination, which is different from the first connection number, if the determined communication mode is an IP-FAX mode.