Relaying Device Data Format Conversion for Image Processing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing image processing devices face limitations in interpreting and processing certain data formats, leading to incomplete or failed printing and processing tasks when downloading files from electronic file storing services.

Innovation Solution

A relaying device is introduced to convert and transmit data between image processing devices and servers, determining data types and executing necessary conversions to ensure compatibility, thereby enabling the use of both interpretable and non-interpretable data for printing and processing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the image processing device directly downloads data from the electronic file storing service, then the data can be obtained quickly, but the data format may not be compatible with the image processing device's interpretation capabilities

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata compatibilityVSAvoiddata conversion process
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The relaying device acts as an intermediary between the electronic file storing service and the image processing device. It receives selection data from the server, determines whether conversion is needed, performs format conversion when necessary, and transmits the processed data to the image processing device. This mediator approach resolves the contradiction by ensuring data compatibility without requiring the image processing device to directly handle incompatible formats.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The relaying device performs data format conversion before the data reaches the image processing device. By determining the data type and executing conversion processing in advance, the system ensures that the image processing device receives data in a compatible format, eliminating compatibility issues at the point of reception.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If the relaying device performs data conversion for all selected data, then data compatibility is ensured, but processing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata interpretabilityVSAvoidconversion processing time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The relaying device applies different processing quality to different data types. It determines the data type of each selected item and only performs conversion processing when necessary (when the data type cannot be directly interpreted). This selective approach ensures data interpretability for incompatible formats while avoiding unnecessary conversion time for compatible data.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts its behavior based on the data type. The relaying device determines whether conversion is needed for each data item and adapts its processing accordingly - performing conversion only when the data type requires it, rather than applying a fixed conversion process to all data.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If the image processing device waits for conversion processing completion before receiving data, then data integrity is ensured, but processing efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata integrityVSAvoidprocessing efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The relaying device initiates conversion processing before the image processing device needs the data. By performing conversion in advance and transmitting the converted data as soon as it's ready, the system ensures data integrity while minimizing waiting time. The image processing device can receive data without needing to wait for conversion completion, improving overall processing efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2750024B1Relaying device
Publication Date: 2020.02.12 BROTHER KOGYO KK
  • EP2750024B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2750024B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2750024B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A relaying device (60 and 200) may be configured to communicate with an image processing device (10) and a server device (100, 110) via a network (6). The server device (100, 110) may store first type data which cannot be interpreted by the image processing device and second type data which can be interpreted by the image processing device. The relaying device (60 and 200) may receive, from the image processing device, data selection instruction information identifying selection data. The relaying device may receive, from the server device, the selection data identified by the received data selection instruction information. The relaying device may execute conversion processing in a case that the received selection data is the first type data. The conversion processing may convert the selection data into converted data which can be interpreted by the image processing device. The relaying device may receive converted data reception information for causing the image processing device to receive the converted data.