Unified Address Book Synchronization for MFPs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multifunction peripherals (MFPs) and user devices often have disparate address book entries, leading to inconsistencies and the need for manual synchronization across different devices.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a 'Scan to Email' eApp that integrates with MFPs and user devices to create a unified address book format, allowing for centralized management and synchronization of contact information across various devices, including MFPs, smartphones, and cloud servers, using a unified address format that supports different address book types like HMA and LDAP.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If address books are maintained separately on different devices (MFPs and user devices), then each device can independently manage its own contact information, but inconsistencies and discrepancies arise between entries across devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges address books from multiple devices into a unified address book by extracting address entries from both the MFP and user device, comparing them, and consolidating them into a single unified structure that maintains data consistency across all devices
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary unified address book that acts as a mediator between the MFP and user device address books. This unified address book receives updates from either source and distributes synchronized data back to both devices, ensuring consistency without requiring direct peer-to-peer synchronization
2Reliability
If address book entries are manually synchronized between devices, then data consistency can be maintained, but user time and effort are consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements self-service automatic synchronization where the unified address book automatically detects changes from either the MFP or user device, processes the updates, and propagates changes to the other device without requiring manual user intervention. The system monitors and synchronizes address book entries autonomously
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the unified address book continuously monitors for changes in source address books, detects updates, and automatically triggers synchronization processes. This closed-loop feedback system ensures real-time consistency without manual intervention
3Productivity
If a unified address book format is implemented across all devices, then synchronization efficiency improves, but integration complexity with different address book types (HMA, LDAP) increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms address book entries from various formats (HMA, LDAP) into a standardized unified format by changing the data structure parameters. The system extracts data from source-specific formats, converts them to the unified address book format with consistent fields and structure, and stores them centrally for efficient synchronization
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for generating a unified address book includes a processor, a network interface and a memory storing an address book. The address book is comprised of an electronic address records in a preset or preexisting data record format. Each electronic address record of the address is scanned to generate address records to form a unified address book where records are stored in a unified address format. Generated address records are communicated to an associated data device via the network interface. Additional address records are received from the network interface and the unified address book is supplemented with additional received address records.