Image Forming Apparatus Folder Shortcuts for Scanned and Print Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses lack efficient methods for simplifying the operation of specifying destinations to store scanned data and sources to call up print data, leading to increased user effort.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus equipped with a storage device, input acceptance device, image reading device, and control device that creates shortcuts for folders to streamline the storage and retrieval of scanned and printed data, allowing users to easily specify destinations and sources through intuitive touch gestures and screen interactions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If users manually specify storage destinations for scanned data and sources for print data, then data management functionality is achieved, but user effort and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates shortcut information that copies the essential access path to folders, allowing users to work with simplified references rather than full paths. The shortcut creator generates compact shortcut data containing destination folder information, which users can then utilize without manually handling complex path specifications.
Solution Approach 2:
The shortcut information acts as an intermediary between the user and the actual data storage locations. Instead of directly specifying full folder paths, users interact with shortcut references that the system automatically resolves to the correct destinations, simplifying the interface and reducing user effort.
2Productivity
If the system stores and manages detailed folder path information, then data organization is achieved, but retrieval and specification operations become more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates shortcut information that copies only the necessary destination identifiers rather than storing or requiring users to handle complete path structures. This copied shortcut data enables efficient retrieval while maintaining operational simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the essential destination identification information from complete folder paths, creating simplified shortcut references. This extraction process removes unnecessary path complexity while retaining the critical information needed for efficient data retrieval and specification.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes: a storage device that stores a folder where data is contained; an input acceptance device that accepts an input of an instruction from a user; an image reading device that reads an image of an original document and acquires image data representing the image; an image forming device that prints an image on a sheet based on print data; a shortcut creator that creates, according to the input of the instruction accepted by the input acceptance device, a shortcut for the folder where the acquired image data is to be contained and a shortcut for the folder where the printed print data is to be contained; and a controller that allows the acquired image data and the printed print data to be contained in the folder represented by the shortcut in accordance with an instruction to specify the shortcut accepted by the input acceptance device.