Selective Output Control for Copy Prohibition in Multifunction Devices

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional technologies for preventing unauthorized copying do not allow flexible control over output functions in copying machines, prohibiting all output functions when copy prohibition information is detected, which restricts user flexibility.

Innovation Solution

A device and method that encode copy control information as barcodes embedded in documents, allowing for flexible control over output functions based on user settings, enabling permission or prohibition of specific output functions when the document is read.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If copy prohibition information is detected in a document, then unauthorized copying is prevented, but all output functions are prohibited without exception

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecopy prohibition effectivenessVSAvoidoutput function flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the output control into individual functions (copying, printing, fax transmission, email transmission, storage) rather than applying a blanket prohibition. Each output function can be independently controlled based on user settings, allowing selective permission or prohibition for each function when copy prohibition information is detected.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces dynamic control where users can change settings for each output function at any time. The system adapts to user needs by allowing flexible switching between permission and prohibition states for different output functions, rather than maintaining a static all-or-nothing approach.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If all output functions are prohibited when copy prohibition information is detected, then information security is improved, but user convenience deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinformation securityVSAvoiduser convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different control qualities to different output functions based on local user needs. Each function can have its own permission/prohibition setting independently, allowing users to grant permission for safe functions (like internal copying) while prohibiting risky functions (like external transmission), optimizing both security and convenience for each specific case.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Device complexity

If blanket prohibition is applied to all output functions, then control simplicity is maintained, but functional granularity is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol mechanism simplicityVSAvoidper-function control capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal control framework that works across multiple output functions through a common interface. The same setting mechanism and user interaction model is applied to copying, printing, fax, email, and storage functions, providing consistent control while enabling fine-grained per-function management without proportionally increasing complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP2418838B1Device capable of extracting copy prohibition information and control method thereof

Publication Date: 2020.04.01 CANON KK

Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3

AI summary

In a copying machine that installs the function of preventing unauthorized copying, when copy prohibition information is extracted (S710), whether output is permitted or prohibited in each of different types of output processing is set, and, when the copy prohibition information is extracted from a document image, if a setting for permitting the output in the output processing in which an output start is instructed is made, the output is performed (S713).