Recipient Profile Scan Image Generation Without Re-Scanning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing image forming apparatuses require users to re-scan documents or communicate new settings to senders when recipients prefer different image settings, leading to inefficiencies and accessibility issues.

Innovation Solution

Implementing recipient profile-based scanning, where user profiles with different setting preferences are stored and applied to electronic raw data, allowing recipients to select and modify settings without re-scanning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If default setting information is used for scanning, then the scanning process is simple and fast, but the recipient cannot get images in their preferred settings

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescanning efficiencyVSAvoidsetting adaptability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by storing multiple user profiles with different setting preferences before the actual scanning operation. When a scan is initiated, the system automatically applies the appropriate profile based on recipient information, eliminating the need for recipients to request re-scans with different settings.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes parameters by storing multiple sets of scanning parameters (resolution, color mode, file format, etc.) in different user profiles. The appropriate parameter set is automatically selected and applied based on the recipient's profile, allowing the same scanned document to be delivered in different formats and qualities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If recipients request different image settings, then personalized delivery is achieved, but senders must re-scan documents or communicate settings

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesetting customizationVSAvoidtime for re-scanning or communication
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements self-service by automatically matching recipients with their preferred settings stored in profiles. The sender initiates a single scan, and the system autonomously distributes the scanned document in various formats according to each recipient's stored preferences, without requiring recipient intervention or sender re-scanning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from stored user profiles to automatically determine the appropriate settings for each recipient. The recipient information serves as feedback that triggers the selection of corresponding profile parameters, enabling personalized delivery without direct communication between sender and recipient.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple scan versions are created for different recipients, then personalized settings are provided, but the scanning process becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoutput format varietyVSAvoidscanning process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies segmentation by separating the scanning function from the format conversion function. A single scan creates one master image, which is then segmented into multiple format versions according to different user profiles. This reduces scanning complexity while maintaining output variety.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system merges multiple functions into a single scanning operation: the initial scan, profile matching, parameter selection, and format conversion all occur in one automated workflow. This consolidation simplifies the overall process despite the complexity of generating multiple personalized outputs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP4226236B1Recipient profile-based generation of scan images
Publication Date: 2025.11.26 HEWLETT PACKARD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LP
  • EP4226236B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP4226236B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4226236B1 patent drawingFigure 3A

AI summary

An example image forming apparatus may include a scanner module to scan a document to be sent to a recipient and store electronic raw data representing the document. Further, the image forming apparatus may include a controller to receive a destination address as an input to perform a user-selectable scanning feature. The controller may retrieve a first user profile and a second user profile associated with the destination address from a database. The first user profile and the second user profile may include first setting information and second setting information, respectively. The controller may process the electronic raw data to generate a scan image in accordance with the first user profile. The first user profile may be selected based on a characteristic of the electronic raw data. The controller may transmit the scan image to the destination address in accordance with the user-selectable scanning feature.