Centralized Control Information Management for Multifunction Peripherals
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing multifunction peripheral control systems require individual changes to control information for each device, leading to complexity, and transmitting large-volume image data from multifunction peripherals to information processors increases network traffic and processing time.
Innovation Solution
A multifunction peripheral and information processor system where the multifunction peripheral receives image data, transmits reception information to the information processor, and executes processes based on control information received from the processor, allowing centralized management of control information without needing it to be registered locally.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If control information is registered in each multifunction peripheral, then the multifunction peripheral can independently process image data, but it becomes complicated to change control information across multiple devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts control information from individual multifunction peripherals and centralizes it in an information processor. The multifunction peripheral only stores image data and transmission destination information, while the information processor holds and manages all control information, eliminating the complexity of distributing control information across multiple devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the control information management function from multiple distributed multifunction peripherals into a single centralized information processor. This consolidation allows unified management of control information for all multifunction peripherals in the network.
2Adaptability or versatility
If image data is transmitted from multifunction peripheral to information processor for processing, then centralized control is achieved, but network traffic increases and transmission time is extended
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential transmission destination information from the image data itself, separating it from the large-volume image content. This allows the multifunction peripheral to transmit minimal data to the information processor while retaining the image data locally, significantly reducing network traffic.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the image data processing into two parts: transmission destination determination (handled by information processor using minimal data) and actual image transmission (handled by multifunction peripheral using stored control information). This segmentation allows centralized control without requiring full image data transmission.
3Ease of operation
If control information is uniformly managed by an information processor, then changing control information becomes simple, but image data must be transmitted to the processor first
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by having the multifunction peripheral transmit transmission destination information to the information processor in advance. The information processor then determines and stores control information locally in the multifunction peripheral before actual image transmission is needed, enabling fast processing without real-time processor involvement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables self-service by allowing the multifunction peripheral to autonomously transmit image data using control information already stored in its own memory. The device does not need to query the information processor during actual transmission, performing the operation independently and efficiently.
Data Source
AI summary
A multifunction peripheral 1 of the present invention includes an image data storage section 16 for storing image data received by a first communication section 14 or a modem 15, the first communication section 14 for transmitting reception information including sender's information of the image data to an information processor 2, and a sections control section 10 for causing, according to control information transmitted from the information processor 2, a predetermined process to be executed on the image data stored in the image data storage section 16.