Image Data Routing With Local Cache for Faster Image Formation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing image formation methods require users to manually select whether to transmit image data to a server or a direct image forming apparatus each time, leading to inefficiency and inconvenience when direct connection is not possible.

Innovation Solution

An information processing apparatus that automatically transmits image data to a server and stores it locally, allowing the image forming apparatus to receive the data from the server or locally stored cache based on predefined patterns, eliminating the need for manual selection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If image data is transmitted via a server, then image formation can be performed even when direct connection is not possible, but image formation takes a long time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage formation availabilityVSAvoidimage formation time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The information processing apparatus performs preliminary actions by storing image data both on the server and in local storage before image formation is needed. This allows the system to have data ready in advance from multiple locations, so when image formation is requested, the data can be quickly retrieved from the nearest available source without waiting for server transmission.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If manual selection of transmission destination is required, then users can choose optimal path, but operation becomes troublesome and inefficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage formation efficiencyVSAvoiduser operation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-service by automatically determining and selecting the transmission destination (server or local storage) based on pre-configured patterns and current conditions. The information processing apparatus autonomously decides whether to transmit image data to the server or directly to the image forming apparatus without requiring user intervention, thus maintaining efficiency while simplifying operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Speed

If image data is stored locally in information processing apparatus, then transmission speed improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata transmission speedVSAvoidsystem architecture complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The information processing apparatus is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a processing device and a local storage device. By integrating storage functionality into the existing information processing apparatus rather than adding separate dedicated storage components, the system achieves fast local access while minimizing the increase in overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS12513252B2Information processing apparatus, apparatus, system, and non-transitory computer readable medium, for selective aquisition of image data from server and from information processing apparatus

Publication Date: 2025.12.30 FUJIFILM BUSINESS INNOVATION CORP

AI summary

An information processing apparatus includes a processor configured to: when receiving an image forming instruction issued to an image forming apparatus, transmit image data and processing information to a server, the processing information including information for forming an image represented by the image data, and store the image data into the information processing apparatus; and perform control for transmitting the image data to the image forming apparatus in response to a request from the server for transmission of the image data.