MFP Code Generation for Missing User Information

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing multi-functional printers (MFPs) lack functionality to handle cases where a paper document has no user information in the original user information area and either no information or some information in the latest user information area during copying processes, as described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Application No. 2010-136098.

Innovation Solution

An apparatus with an operating unit, capturing unit, detecting unit, generating unit, and printing unit that detects codes with specific configurations of user information in the original and latest user information areas, generating new codes, and printing them, addressing scenarios where no user information or specific user information is present in these areas during document copying.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the MFP copies a paper document with no user information in the original user information area and no information in the latest user information area, then the copying function is maintained, but the security tracking capability is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehandling capability for documents with missing user informationVSAvoidsecurity tracking capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary detection of user information in both the original and latest user information areas before copying. When no user information is detected in either area, the system proactively generates a new code with the current user's information in the latest area, ensuring security tracking is established before the copy is produced.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors the user information areas during the copying process. When the detecting unit identifies that no user information exists in the original or latest areas, it provides feedback to the generating unit to create an updated code with current user information, thereby maintaining security tracking throughout the copying operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Adaptability or versatility

If the MFP copies a paper document with no user information in the original user information area but some information in the latest user information area, then the copying function is maintained, but the attribution accuracy is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehandling capability for documents with partial user informationVSAvoiduser information attribution accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary detection of user information in both areas before copying. When no user information is detected in the original area but information exists in the latest area, the system proactively generates a new code that preserves the latest user information while adding the current user's information, ensuring accurate attribution is established before the copy is produced.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors the user information areas during the copying process. When the detecting unit identifies that no user information exists in the original area but information exists in the latest area, it provides feedback to the generating unit to create an updated code that maintains attribution accuracy by preserving existing information while adding current user identification.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS8896851B2Apparatus for dealing with a code and a control method of the apparatus

Publication Date: 2014.11.25 CANON KK

AI summary

One aspect of the present invention relates to copying a paper document including no information in the original user information area and also no information in the latest user information area. Another aspect of the present invention relates to copying document including no information in the original user information area but some information in the latest user information area.