Remote Scan Job Queue for Automated Post-Processing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing scanning systems face challenges in efficiently managing post-scanning processing, particularly in shared office environments where users must manually enter recipient email addresses and load items before scanning, leading to time-consuming and error-prone processes.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a remote scan job menu system that allows users to create and manage scan jobs from a computer interface, including options for scanning and post-scanning processing, which can be queued and executed at a scanning device without additional user intervention, enabling automated processing and transmission of scanned files.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If users manually enter recipient email addresses and load items before scanning at the scanner interface, then the scanning process can be completed, but the process becomes time-consuming and error-prone
Solution Approach 1:
The system allows users to pre-configure scan jobs with all parameters (recipients, email addresses, processing options) before actually scanning documents. The scan job is created and saved in advance, then simply needs to be selected and executed when documents are ready, eliminating the need to manually enter details during the scanning process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary computing device (such as a workstation or server) that acts as a bridge between the user and the scanner. This intermediary handles the complex tasks of job configuration, queue management, and parameter input, while the scanner itself only needs to execute pre-configured jobs, simplifying the operation at the scanner interface.
2Productivity
If users interact with the scanner interface for each scanning task, then scanning can be performed, but user interaction increases complexity and reduces efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complex configuration and management functions from the scanner device itself and relocates them to a separate computing device. The scanner is reduced to executing simple scan jobs, while the computing device handles job creation, queue management, and parameter configuration, effectively separating concerns and reducing scanner interface complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements self-service capabilities where pre-configured scan jobs automatically execute when documents are placed in the scanner. The system manages its own queue, selects appropriate jobs, and processes scans without requiring user intervention at the scanner interface, allowing the scanner to serve itself based on pre-established parameters.
3Speed
If scan jobs are processed immediately upon creation, then processing speed is maintained, but shared office environments suffer from conflicts when multiple users need to use the scanner
Solution Approach 1:
The patent allows scan jobs to be created, configured, and queued in advance without immediate execution. Jobs are prepared and stored in a queue, then executed when the scanner becomes available and resources are free, separating job creation from job execution to accommodate shared environment scheduling needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains continuous operation by allowing multiple jobs to be queued and processed sequentially without idle time. When the scanner is available, it continuously processes jobs from the queue, ensuring that the useful action of scanning continues uninterrupted while accommodating multiple users' requests in a shared environment.
4Ease of operation
If the scanner interface displays all scanning and processing options, then users have full control, but the interface becomes overwhelming and difficult to navigate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complex interface with all scanning and processing options from the scanner device and relocates it to a computing device. The scanner interface is simplified to display only essential information and basic controls, while the comprehensive configuration options are available through the separate computing device interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The computing device acts as an intermediary that provides the comprehensive configuration interface, while the scanner interface remains simple. The intermediary translates user preferences into scan job parameters, allowing full control capabilities to be maintained without cluttering the scanner's user interface.
Data Source
AI summary
A computerized device has a computer interface configured to display a remote scan job menu for at least post-scanning processing options for scan jobs within scan job queues. A scanning device is configured to receive at least one of the scan jobs in at least one of the scan job queues. The scanner interface of the scanning device is configured to display at least one of the scan job queues and to receive selection of one of the scan jobs from one of the scan job queues to identify a selected scan job. The scanning device is configured to execute the selected scan job, by scanning items provided to the scanning device, to produce an electronic image file. The scanning device is also configured to process the electronic image file by performing post-scanning processing options within the selected scan job on the electronic image file.