User Box Material Delivery System for Print Data Sorting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for distributing printed materials to multiple destinations require significant effort in sorting and managing varying print conditions, leading to increased workload and space requirements, as they often cannot efficiently accommodate different print requests and destinations.

Innovation Solution

A material delivery system with user memory areas, print condition management, and batch processing capabilities, allowing for the generation and transmission of print data tailored to specific users or groups, enabling efficient distribution and storage of print data, including link information for space optimization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If material is printed and sorted according to each person or place using conventional methods, then print conditions can be customized for each destination, but the workload and space requirements increase substantially

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprint conditions customizationVSAvoidworkload

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the distribution system by creating separate user memory areas for different users, each with their own stored material data and print conditions. This allows automated segmentation of print jobs by destination without manual sorting, resolving the contradiction between customized print conditions and reduced workload

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements self-service by automatically selecting and applying the appropriate print conditions from stored user profiles for each destination. The apparatus autonomously handles the customization and sorting process without requiring manual worker intervention, thereby reducing workload while maintaining adaptability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Loss of energy

If all material is mailed at the same time to save mailing costs, then mailing expenditure is reduced, but the burden of sorting printed material increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemailing expenditureVSAvoidsorting burden

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by storing material data and print conditions in user memory areas before the actual printing and distribution process. This pre-preparation of organized data structures enables automated sorting during printing, allowing bulk mailing cost savings without increasing sorting burden on workers

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces the manual mechanical sorting process with an automated information processing system that uses stored user profiles and print conditions to automatically direct material to the correct destinations during printing, eliminating the need for manual sorting while maintaining bulk distribution efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Adaptability or versatility

If various types of printed material are provided for the same material to satisfy each request, then print condition requirements are met, but the sorting burden increases compared to conventional methods

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprint condition satisfactionVSAvoidsorting burden

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements local quality by creating user-specific memory areas with customized print conditions for each destination. Each user profile contains locally optimized print settings tailored to that user's requirements, enabling automated differentiation of print jobs without increasing sorting complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system achieves universality through a single integrated apparatus that can handle multiple user profiles and print conditions simultaneously. The automated control system universally applies the appropriate print conditions from stored profiles for any destination, satisfying diverse print requirements without increasing manual sorting burden

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS7869077B2Apparatus and method for delivering material using a user box and computer program product

Publication Date: 2011.01.11 KONICA MINOLTA BUSINESS TECH INC

AI summary

An apparatus and a method are provided that can easily distribute material suitable for each person or each place to which the material is distributed compared to conventional apparatuses and methods. A material delivery server is provided with a box for each user, a print data sorting portion for making the box for a user to whom material is delivered memorize print data of the material to be delivered, a print conditions memorizing portion for memorizing print conditions information for each user, a transmission data generation portion for generating print data for transmission by setting the print conditions information of a user relating to the box for the print data memorized in the box, and a print data transmission portion for transmitting the print data generated from the print data memorized in the box to a material reception terminal of the user relating to the box.