Network Folder Auto-Registration for Image Forming Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional digital complex machines require cumbersome operations for setting and registering document data storage sites, both locally and on connected computers, limiting usability in document administration.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus connected via a network with computers, featuring a data acquiring section, location information acquiring section, administering section, display unit, folder display controlling section, input operation unit, and data transmitting section, allowing users to designate and transmit document data to folders on connected computers without local registration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If users set and register folders in both the digital complex machine and connected computer, then document data can be stored in existing folders, but the operation becomes cumbersome and requires implementing the same operation twice
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service by allowing the image forming apparatus to automatically acquire folder location information from connected computers and perform self-registration without requiring user intervention. The administering section automatically registers folders based on acquired location information, eliminating the need for users to manually set and register folders in both systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary action by having the location information acquiring section proactively obtain folder location information from connected computers before storage operations. This preliminary acquisition and automatic registration of folder locations eliminates the need for subsequent manual registration steps by users.
2Device complexity
If document data is read out only from the digital complex machine storage, then the machine maintains simple data access, but users cannot read data stored in connected computer storage
Solution Approach 1:
The image forming apparatus is enhanced with multi-functionality to serve both as a standalone storage device and as an integrated component of the computer network storage system. The administering section enables the machine to access and read document data from folders in connected computers, making the system universal in handling both local and networked storage sources.
Solution Approach 2:
The administering section acts as an intermediary between the image forming apparatus and the connected computer storage systems. It facilitates data access by mediating the communication and data retrieval processes, allowing the machine to read document data from external computer folders while maintaining its own storage capabilities.
3Reliability
If manual folder registration is required in both systems, then data storage locations are properly established, but user time and operational steps increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs automatic self-service for storage location registration. The location information acquiring section automatically obtains folder location information from connected computers, and the administering section automatically registers these locations without requiring user input or manual configuration steps, thereby eliminating time loss while ensuring reliable registration.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by having the location information acquiring section automatically retrieve folder location information from connected computers and provide this information to the administering section for registration. This feedback loop ensures accurate and reliable storage location registration without manual intervention.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus is connected via a network with at least one computer having a storage section capable of creating at least one folder. The apparatus has a data acquiring section to acquire document data and a location information acquiring section to acquire location information from each computer through the network. An administering section registers the at least one folder identified by the location information as at least one folder capable of storing the document data. A display unit displays an image and a folder display controlling section controls the display unit to display an image of registered folders. An input operation unit accepts input operation by a user and a folder designation accepting section allows the user to designate a desired folder on the display unit for acceptance with use of the input operation unit. A data transmitting section transmits the document data to the designated folder.