Linkage-Based Folder Management for Image Forming Apparatuses
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Image forming apparatuses face challenges in efficiently storing data from multiple transmission sources, leading to cumbersome data management, as they generate multiple individual folders for each apparatus, making it difficult for users to find specific data and lacking the ability to add data to existing folders or group them logically.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a terminal apparatus and an image forming apparatus that uses linkage information to identify and manage individual folders, allowing data to be stored appropriately by generating a first folder for each transmission source and a second folder for data without source information, enabling data transmission and grouping across multiple apparatuses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the image forming apparatus generates an individual folder for each transmission source, then data from different apparatuses can be stored separately, but data management becomes cumbersome and users cannot easily find specific data
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple individual folders from different transmission sources into a single unified individual folder. When data is transmitted from a terminal apparatus, the system checks if linkage information matches an existing individual folder, and if so, stores the data in that existing folder rather than creating a new one. This combining approach maintains data organization by transmission source while eliminating the proliferation of separate folders, making data management more convenient.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a universal individual folder that can receive data from multiple different transmission sources. The folder is designed to handle data from various apparatuses (PCs, mobile terminals, etc.) through a common interface using linkage information for identification. This multi-functional approach allows a single folder to serve multiple purposes and accommodate diverse data sources, improving ease of operation.
2Reliability
If the image forming apparatus creates separate folders for each apparatus, then data from different sources is organized, but users lack the ability to group folders logically and add data to existing folders
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables flexible grouping by merging data from multiple apparatuses into a single individual folder based on linkage information. Users can logically group data from different transmission sources (PC, mobile terminal, etc.) into one folder, providing adaptability in data organization. This approach maintains the organizational benefit of separate data tracking while adding the flexibility to consolidate data as needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses linkage information in advance to determine the appropriate destination folder before data storage. By pre-establishing the connection between transmission sources and target folders through linkage information, the system enables flexible data routing and grouping capabilities, allowing users to add data to existing folders systematically rather than creating new folders each time.
3Reliability
If multiple individual folders are generated for different transmission sources, then data can be stored by source, but the complexity of data management increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reduces system complexity by merging multiple individual folders into one unified individual folder. Instead of maintaining separate folders for each transmission source (PC, mobile terminal, etc.), the system consolidates them using linkage information for identification. This approach preserves data organization by transmission source while significantly reducing the number of folders to manage, thereby lowering system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces linkage information as an intermediary mechanism to manage data from multiple transmission sources. Rather than directly creating separate folders for each source, the system uses linkage information as a mediator to determine the appropriate destination folder. This intermediary approach simplifies the data management structure by providing a unified method for routing and organizing data from diverse sources.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the image forming apparatus stores data in separate folders for each apparatus, then data transmission from multiple sources is supported, but users experience difficulty in finding and managing specific data
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines data from multiple apparatuses into a single individual folder, making data retrieval more convenient. Users can find all their data in one location rather than searching through multiple separate folders. The system maintains the ability to receive data from various transmission sources (PCs, mobile terminals, etc.) while consolidating storage to improve ease of operation and data accessibility.
Data Source
AI summary
A terminal apparatus includes: a communicator that communicates with an image forming apparatus that generates an individual folder for storing transmitted data for each transmission source of the data; a controller; and a storage. The controller acquires linkage information, and transmits data stored in the storage, with a first individual folder set as a transmission destination, the first individual folder being identified on a basis of the linkage information.