Multi-function Image Forming Apparatus Scan-to-Email Automation
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Solution Overview
Problem
In multi-function image forming apparatuses, users must manually input email addresses, subjects, and bodies when scanning documents, which is cumbersome and time-consuming.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating an OCR device and storage for OCR area information to automatically extract and recognize address, subject, and body areas from scanned documents, allowing for automated generation and transmission of email headers with attached image data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual input method is used for email address, subject, and body, then the scan-to-email function can be implemented, but the operation becomes troublesome and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs automatic character recognition on scanned documents to extract email addresses, subjects, and body text without requiring user input. The apparatus serves itself by utilizing the scanned image data to automatically populate email fields, eliminating the need for manual typing or selection of email components.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs character recognition and extraction of email components during the scanning process itself, before the email composition stage. By pre-processing the scanned document to identify and extract relevant text elements, the system prepares email data in advance, eliminating subsequent manual input requirements.
2Extent of automation
If automatic character recognition is implemented, then email composition is automated, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The character recognition function is integrated into the existing multi-function image forming apparatus, combining the OCR capability with the scanner and email transmission functions. This merging approach allows the system to leverage existing hardware resources and control structures, reducing overall system complexity compared to separate standalone systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The image forming apparatus is designed to perform multiple functions including scanning, character recognition, email composition, and transmission. By making the apparatus universal and multi-functional, the patent avoids the need for separate specialized devices, thereby managing complexity through consolidation rather than proliferation of components.
Data Source
AI summary
In a multi-function image forming apparatus connected with a network, an email transmission device extracts image data of an address area, a subject area, and a body area of an original document from image data of the original document according to a designated one of a plurality of pieces of OCR area information stored in an OCR area information storage device, performs character recognition relative to the extracted image data of an address area, a subject area, and a body area of the original document with an OCR device to obtain character strings of the address area, the subject area, and the body area of the original document, sets the obtained character strings of the address area, the subject area, and the body area of the original document as an address, a subject, and a body of an email, and transmits the email while attaching the image data of the original document to the body of the email.