Image Forming Apparatus Transfer Controller with Hierarchical Job Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current image forming systems lack the capability to efficiently manage and transfer document images to multiple destinations while reflecting transfer results, leading to potential errors and inefficiencies in file naming and data distribution.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus with a transfer controller that manages the transfer of original document images to multiple destinations, including a main and sub-transfer destinations, by reflecting the transfer result to the main destination when transferring to the sub-destination, using a job management system that assigns job IDs and processes cooperative jobs, scan jobs, main transfer jobs, and sub-transfer jobs simultaneously.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the original document image is transferred to multiple transfer destinations independently, then the transfer speed increases, but the file naming consistency and data accuracy deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The management unit monitors the transfer status to the main transfer destination and uses this feedback information to control the transfer to sub-transfer destinations. When the main transfer completes successfully, the system then initiates transfers to sub-destinations, ensuring file naming consistency through coordinated control based on transfer results.
Solution Approach 2:
The system first transfers the original document image to the main transfer destination before proceeding to sub-transfer destinations. This preliminary action ensures that the primary copy is secured with proper file naming conventions established, and subsequent transfers to sub-destinations can reference this established naming pattern for consistency.
2Productivity
If the transfer controller transfers document images to multiple destinations simultaneously, then the data distribution efficiency improves, but the error rate in file management increases
Solution Approach 1:
The transfer destinations are segmented into a main transfer destination and multiple sub-transfer destinations with a hierarchical relationship. The management unit controls transfers to sub-destinations based on the completion status of the main destination, creating a segmented transfer process that maintains accuracy while achieving efficient distribution across multiple targets.
3Ease of operation
If the system manages transfers to multiple destinations without coordinating transfer results, then the operational complexity decreases, but the transfer reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The management unit serves multiple functions: it monitors transfer status to the main destination, controls the timing of transfers to sub-destinations, manages file naming conventions, and coordinates the entire transfer process. This multi-functional approach maintains reliability through coordinated control while presenting a unified, simple interface for operation.
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided an image forming apparatus. A transfer controller is capable of transferring an original document image read from an original document to a plurality of transfer destinations. A management unit manages the transfer controller in such a manner that after the original document image is transferred to one of the plurality of transfer destinations, the original document image is transferred to another transfer destination. The transfer controller reflects a result of transfer to the one transfer destination when transferring the original document image to the other transfer destination.