Image Forming Apparatus Notification Routing for Storage Sections
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatus systems fail to accurately notify the appropriate worker when a document is registered in a non-work target folder, leading to unnecessary confirmation by workers.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus with a processor and memory that identifies the storage section where data is manipulated, acquires notification destination information based on setting-specific settings for each storage section, and transmits notification information to the appropriate destination, ensuring that notifications are sent only to relevant workers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If notification is sent based on the destination notification document set by the user, then the user can control who receives notifications, but workers receive notifications for non-work target folders causing unnecessary confirmations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the storage sections into work target and non-work target categories, and applies different notification rules to each segment. Work target storage sections send notifications to designated workers, while non-work target storage sections do not send notifications, thereby eliminating unnecessary worker confirmations while maintaining reliable notification for relevant documents
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by setting different notification destinations for different storage sections based on their work target status. Each storage section has its own notification configuration that matches its purpose, ensuring that notifications are sent to appropriate workers only when necessary, improving both notification accuracy and reducing wasted time
2Adaptability or versatility
If notification is sent for all document registrations, then all workers are informed, but workers cannot distinguish between work target and non-work target documents
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments notifications into two types: work target notifications sent to designated workers and non-work target notifications that are not sent at all. This segmentation allows the system to maintain adaptability by covering all storage sections while eliminating information loss for workers by not notifying them about non-relevant documents
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts non-work target storage sections from the notification process entirely. By taking out non-relevant notifications from the system, it prevents workers from receiving and having to process unnecessary information, thereby avoiding information loss while maintaining comprehensive coverage for work-related documents
3Ease of operation
If separate storage folders are used for each worker, then document management is organized, but notification complexity increases when multiple workers share folders
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments storage sections into work target and non-work target categories with distinct notification behaviors. This segmentation simplifies the notification system by clearly defining which sections send notifications and to whom, reducing complexity even when multiple workers share folders, while maintaining easy document management through organized folder structures
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies self-service by allowing each storage section to automatically determine its own notification behavior based on its work target status. The system self-configures notification destinations without requiring manual intervention, simplifying operation for users while managing complexity internally through automated classification and routing
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes at least a processor and at least a memory coupled to the at least the processor and having stored thereon instructions, when executed by the at least the processor, and cooperating to act as: an identifying unit configured to identify, when data is manipulated in a storage section, the storage section in which the data has been manipulated, from among a plurality of storage sections, an acquirer configured to acquire information indicating a notification destination corresponding to the storage section identified by the identifying unit, based on setting information in which a notification destination is set for each of the storage sections, and a transmitter configured to transmit, to the notification destination indicated by the information acquired by the acquirer, notification information indicating that the data has been manipulated.