Image Processing Apparatus Dual Interface User Classification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing image processing apparatuses lack efficient methods for distinguishing between organizational and personal use, leading to cumbersome user registration and inadequate charging management when connected to external devices via different methods.

Innovation Solution

An image processing apparatus with an authenticating unit, dual communication interfaces (wired and wireless/NFC), and a managing unit that classifies user operations based on connection methods, enabling individual user management and separate processing for organizational and personal use, including distinct charging schemes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If user registration is implemented for personal use, then individual user management is enabled, but the registration process becomes cumbersome

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser management accuracyVSAvoiduser registration convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically identifies users based on connection method without requiring manual registration. When a terminal connects via the second communication interface, the system automatically performs user identification and authentication, eliminating the need for users to manually register while still enabling individual user management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system pre-configures different communication interfaces for different use cases. The second communication interface is specifically designated for personal use scenarios, so when a terminal connects through this interface, the system already has the necessary information to identify and manage the user without requiring advance registration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Measurement precision

If multiple communication interfaces are used to distinguish use types, then purpose identification is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuse purpose identification accuracyVSAvoidcommunication interface quantity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments communication interfaces into distinct types (first communication interface for organizational use, second communication interface for personal use). Each interface type is dedicated to a specific use case, allowing the system to easily identify the purpose of use based on which interface the terminal connects through, without requiring complex analysis.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The image processing apparatus is designed with multi-functional communication capabilities, supporting both first and second communication interfaces. This universal design allows the same device to handle different types of connections and use cases without requiring separate specialized devices for each scenario.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS11556622B2Image processing apparatus and non-transitory computer readable medium for handling different kinds of processes

Publication Date: 2023.01.17 FUJIFILM BUSINESS INNOVATION CORP

AI summary

An image processing apparatus includes an authenticating unit, a first communication interface, a second communication interface, an image forming unit, and a managing unit. The first communication interface is disposed for communication with an external apparatus, the second communication interface differs from the first communication interface and can connect to an external apparatus if a predetermined requirement for operation is satisfied. The image forming unit forms an image on a medium in accordance with an execution instruction received from an external apparatus via the first communication interface or the second communication interface. The managing unit handles one process performed by the image forming unit separately from the image forming unit.