Scan-to-Chat Image Posting Based on User Presence Status

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Image data generated by an image processing apparatus is less noticeable to transmission destination users if they are not logged in or away for a long time, as discussed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2021-078084 and WO 2018/104834 A1.

Innovation Solution

An image processing apparatus that includes a bot server to mediate communication with a message application server, allowing it to check the presence status of the transmission destination user and adjust the method of data transmission based on their availability, such as immediate posting, email, or delayed posting until they become available.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If image data is transmitted immediately to a chat service, then transmission speed is improved, but the user may not notice it if they are not logged in or away for a long time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission speedVSAvoidnoticeability
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by checking the user's presence status before transmitting image data. If the user is not logged in or is away, the transmission is delayed or alternative methods are selected, ensuring the user will notice the data when they become available.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from the chat service about user presence status to adjust transmission timing. By continuously monitoring whether the user is logged in or away, the system can determine the optimal moment to transmit image data to maximize noticeability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If the system checks presence status and adjusts transmission timing, then noticeability is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovenoticeabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system introduces a bot server as an intermediary between the image processing apparatus and the chat service. This mediator handles the complex tasks of checking presence status and determining transmission timing, while the main image processing apparatus remains relatively simple.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The bot server performs multiple functions: it checks user presence status, determines optimal transmission timing, and manages the actual data transmission. By consolidating these functions in a single multi-functional component, the overall system complexity is managed more efficiently.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4369266B1Image processing apparatus, image processing method, and program
Publication Date: 2025.12.10 CANON KK
  • EP4369266B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4369266B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4369266B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A scan apparatus (101) includes a scan unit configured to scan a document and generate image data, a reception unit configured to receive status information indicating a status of a user from a chat server (400), and a transmission unit configured to transmit the image data generated by the scan unit and information about a posting destination to the chat server (400), wherein the image data transmitted by the transmission unit is posted to the posting destination corresponding to the information transmitted by the transmission unit, wherein the transmission unit is configured to, while the status of a user corresponding to the posting destination is offline, not transmit the image data or the information, and wherein the transmission unit is configured to, if the reception unit receives status information indicating a responsive status of the user corresponding to the posting destination, transmit the image data and the information.