Relaying Device Format Conversion for Image Upload

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing image processing devices face limitations in uploading electronic files in formats they cannot interpret, such as document files, to electronic file storing services due to format compatibility issues.

Innovation Solution

A relaying device that converts data between incompatible formats, using a mediation server and conversion server to facilitate the upload process by determining necessary format conversions and managing data transmission between the image processing device and the server, ensuring successful storage of diverse file types.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the image processing device attempts to upload electronic files in formats it cannot interpret, then the upload capability is expanded, but the upload success rate deteriorates due to format compatibility issues

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveupload capabilityVSAvoidupload success rate
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a server as an intermediary between the image processing device and the electronic file storing service. The server receives upload requests for files in various formats, performs format conversion for formats the image processing device cannot handle, and then uploads the converted files. This mediator approach allows the image processing device to maintain broad upload capability while ensuring successful uploads through server-side format compatibility handling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If the image processing device handles format conversion itself, then the upload process is simplified, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveupload process complexityVSAvoidformat compatibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the format conversion function from the image processing device and relocates it to the server. The image processing device maintains its original simplicity by only handling uploads for formats it can interpret, while the server assumes responsibility for converting files in other formats to compatible formats before uploading to the storing service.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Reliability

If the server performs format conversion for all uploaded files, then the upload success rate improves, but the server processing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveupload success rateVSAvoidconversion processing time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The server performs format conversion only when necessary - specifically for files in formats that the image processing device cannot interpret. For files already in compatible formats, the server proceeds directly to upload without conversion. This selective approach ensures high upload success rates while minimizing unnecessary processing time and resource consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP2775697B1Relaying device, computer program for relaying device, and method for controlling relaying device
Publication Date: 2020.08.12 BROTHER KOGYO KK
  • EP2775697B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2775697B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2775697B1 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 may be configured to store uploaded data. The relaying device may receive, from the image processing device, selected data format instruction information. The relaying device may execute a conversion processing when the upload data is data in a first format and the data format identified by the selected data format instruction information is a second format, or when the upload data is data in a third format and the data format identified by the selected data format instruction information is not the third format. The relaying device may receive the upload data and convert the received upload data into converted data in the data format identified by the selected data format instruction information. The relaying device may transmit the converted data to the server device.