Document Scan Upload to User-Specified Chat Threads

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing image processing systems lack the ability to accurately determine the intended thread for uploading image data generated by scanning a document in a chat service, leading to potential misuploading of data to unintended threads.

Innovation Solution

An image processing apparatus that includes a reading unit, transmission unit, and reception unit, allowing it to generate and transmit image data to a specified thread in a chat service based on user instruction via a connected terminal apparatus.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the image processing apparatus automatically uploads image data to a chat service, then the uploading operation is simplified, but the image data may be uploaded to an unintended thread

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuploading operationVSAvoidthread selection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary action by having the user specify the target thread in advance through a terminal apparatus before the actual scanning and uploading occurs. The image processing apparatus receives the thread specification beforehand, so when the scanning is triggered, the image data is automatically uploaded to the pre-designated thread without requiring real-time user input, thus maintaining both ease of operation and reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If the user specifies a thread for uploading image data, then the upload accuracy is improved, but the operation complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethread selection accuracyVSAvoidspecification operation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The terminal apparatus serves as an intermediary between the user and the image processing apparatus. The user interacts with the familiar chat service interface on the terminal to specify the target thread, and the terminal apparatus communicates this specification to the image processing apparatus. This separates the complex specification operation from the simple scanning operation, reducing the perceived complexity for users.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Measurement precision

If the image processing apparatus waits for user instruction to scan, then the upload precision is improved, but the response time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveupload destination accuracyVSAvoidinstruction waiting time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary action by having the user specify the target thread in advance through a terminal apparatus before the actual scanning and uploading occurs. The image processing apparatus receives the thread specification beforehand, so when the scanning is triggered, the image data is automatically uploaded to the pre-designated thread without requiring real-time user input, thus maintaining both ease of operation and reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS12547405B2Image processing apparatus capable of communicating with an information processing apparatus having a chat service, and storage medium therefor

Publication Date: 2026.02.10 CANON KK

AI summary

An image processing apparatus capable of communicating with an information processing apparatus includes a reading unit that reads an image of a document and generates image data, a transmission unit that transmits the image data, and a reception unit that receives an instruction from the information processing apparatus. Based on the received instruction, the reading unit reads the image of the document and generates the image data and the transmission unit transmits the generated image data to the information processing apparatus. The image data transmitted by the transmission unit is posted to a thread specified by a user via a terminal apparatus connected to the information processing apparatus, the thread being one of at least one thread included in a channel of a chat service provided by the information processing apparatus.