Generic Interface for Document Management Integration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current production printing systems face challenges in securely and efficiently uploading source documents from third-party document management systems to production print facilities, requiring cumbersome and costly customized interfaces and administrative burdens.

Innovation Solution

A generic interface is provided in the production printing system, allowing third-party document management systems to upload documents and manage catalog items, enabling authorized users to access, modify, and organize content, while simplifying access rights and metadata management through a Web-based user interface.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a customized interface is implemented for each third-party document management system, then secure document upload and access control is achieved, but system complexity and implementation cost increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecure document upload and access controlVSAvoidsystem complexity and implementation cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal generic interface that can work with multiple different document management systems without requiring customized interfaces for each system. This single interface handles document upload, authentication, and catalog integration functions universally, reducing system complexity while maintaining security through standardized protocols and configurable connection parameters.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of operation

If third parties can directly upload documents to the catalog, then administrative burden is reduced, but system security and access control complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadministrative burden reductionVSAvoidsystem security and access control complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary generic interface layer that mediates between third-party document management systems and the production printing system's catalog. This intermediary handles authentication, authorization, and document transfer securely, allowing third parties to upload documents independently while the system maintains control over security policies and access rights without requiring complex custom security implementations for each third party.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple document management systems with different organization schemas are integrated, then system versatility improves, but integration complexity and time consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem versatilityVSAvoidintegration complexity and time consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs parameter-based configuration to adapt to different document management system organization schemas. The generic interface accepts configurable parameters such as connection settings, authentication methods, and document path mappings that can be adjusted for each third-party system without changing the core interface logic. This allows rapid integration of new systems by simply configuring appropriate parameters rather than developing custom integration code.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS9665313B2Production printing system with document management interface

Publication Date: 2017.05.30 RICOH CO LTD

AI summary

A production printing system includes a generic interface to communicate with a plurality of document management systems.