Image Processing Apparatus Direct URL Upload Bypassing Relay
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Solution Overview
Problem
Image processing apparatuses face challenges in maintaining coordination with electronic-file storing services when the API provided by the service provider is updated, requiring frequent program updates and maintenance, and incur operational costs for relay apparatuses used in data transmission.
Innovation Solution
An image processing system that allows electronic files to be uploaded directly to a service provider's server without relying on a relay apparatus, using a multi-function device that obtains URLs from the service provider for upload and download operations, thereby bypassing the need for the relay apparatus and reducing operational costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the image processing apparatus uses a relay apparatus for data transmission, then coordination with electronic-file storing services can be maintained, but operational costs and equipment investment costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential function of obtaining upload/download URLs from the relay apparatus and implements it directly in the image processing apparatus. The control unit now directly communicates with the service provider's server to obtain URLs, eliminating the need for relay apparatus involvement in URL acquisition and reducing operational costs while maintaining service coordination.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a URL management mechanism where the control unit acts as an intermediary, storing and managing URLs obtained from the service provider. This allows the image processing apparatus to directly communicate with the service provider's server using stored URLs, bypassing the relay apparatus for actual file transfers while maintaining coordination capabilities.
2Reliability
If the relay apparatus is used for data transmission, then service coordination is maintained, but equipment investment costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the URL acquisition function from the relay apparatus and embeds it in the image processing apparatus. The control unit now directly obtains URLs from the service provider's server, eliminating the need for relay apparatus infrastructure and reducing equipment investment costs while maintaining service coordination through direct URL-based communication.
Solution Approach 2:
The image processing apparatus performs self-service by directly obtaining and managing its own upload/download URLs from the service provider's server. The control unit independently handles URL acquisition and storage, eliminating dependency on relay apparatus services and reducing equipment investment requirements.
3Loss of energy
If the image processing apparatus directly uploads files to the service provider's server, then operational costs are reduced, but the ability to maintain coordination when API updates occur may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by having the control unit obtain and store URLs from the service provider's server in advance. These pre-obtained URLs are stored in storage units and used for subsequent upload and download operations, allowing direct communication with the service provider while maintaining adaptability to API updates through URL-based interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses URL parameters as a stable interface layer between the image processing apparatus and the service provider's API. By obtaining URLs that encapsulate service access information and storing them for reuse, the system maintains coordination capability even when the underlying API changes, as the URL structure can be updated without requiring changes to the basic upload/download mechanism.
Data Source
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AI summary
An image processing system includes: an image processing apparatus; a relay apparatus; and a service providing apparatus, which are connected to a network. The image processing apparatus includes: an electronic-file storage unit; an address-get-request transmitting unit; an upload-message generating unit which, upon receiving an upload destination address and a template for an upload message for performing an upload request to the service providing apparatus from the relay apparatus after a request for getting the upload destination address is transmitted to the relay apparatus by the account-information-request transmitting unit, generates the upload message including an electronic file and the upload destination address according to the received template; and an upload-message transmitting unit that transmits the upload message to the service providing apparatus so as to upload the electronic file to the service providing apparatus. The relay apparatus includes: a program storage unit; an upload-destination-address getting unit; and an upload-destination-address transmitting unit.