Information Processing Apparatus User Presence Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing information processing apparatuses reboot even when a user is actively using the device, limiting its functionality during remote setting changes.

Innovation Solution

An information processing apparatus equipped with a detection section to identify user operations and a prohibition section that prevents rebooting when a user is detected, utilizing motion sensors to determine the user's presence and prevent rebooting until the user is no longer interacting with the device.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the device is rebooted to apply remote setting changes, then the setting changes become available, but the device becomes unusable during the reboot process

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesetting change availabilityVSAvoiddevice usability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary detection of user presence before initiating a reboot operation. The detection section checks whether a user is present near the device, and only if no user is detected does the reboot execution section proceed with the reboot. This preliminary action prevents rebooting when a user is actively using the device, thereby avoiding interruption of ongoing operations while still allowing reboots when safe to do so.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Extent of automation

If the device reboots automatically to apply settings, then the settings are updated, but user operations are interrupted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomatic setting applicationVSAvoidoperation continuity

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements a feedback mechanism where the detection section continuously monitors for user presence and provides feedback to the reboot execution section. Based on this feedback about whether a user is present, the system dynamically decides whether to proceed with the reboot operation. This feedback loop ensures that automatic reboots only occur when no user is present, maintaining operation continuity and reliability while still enabling automatic setting application.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Ensures that the device remains operational and usable by the user, preventing unintended reboots during active use and ensuring data safety by prohibiting reboots until the user is no longer present.

Implementation Method 1

a motion sensor is a sensor for detecting the presence of a person in which infrared rays, ultrasonic waves, visible light, and the like are used

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInfrared radiation detection: Infrared Radiation

Data Source

PatentUS11363157B2Information processing apparatus, image forming apparatus, and non-transitory computer readable medium storing program

Publication Date: 2022.06.14 FUJIFILM BUSINESS INNOVATION CORP

AI summary

An information processing apparatus includes a detection section that detects an operation to be performed with respect to a device by a user in a non-operation state with respect to the device, and a prohibition section that prohibits reboot of the device in a case where the operation to be performed on the device is detected by the detection section.