Auto-Clearing Timer Reset for Remote Image Forming Operation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The issue of unintended automatic clearing in information processing apparatuses when cooperating with terminals, leading to decreased usability due to lack of user interaction, is addressed.
Innovation Solution
An information processing apparatus equipped with a counting unit to measure user inactivity, a performing unit for automatic clearing, and a resetting unit responsive to terminal requests, ensuring appropriate clearing even during cooperation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the automatic clearing function is activated to clear settings after a predetermined time of no user operation, then security and privacy are improved, but usability deteriorates when the apparatus is operated remotely via a terminal
Solution Approach 1:
The terminal transmits operation feedback information to the information processing apparatus to notify it of user operations performed remotely. This feedback mechanism allows the apparatus to understand that operations are occurring even when the user interface is not directly interacted with, preventing unintended automatic clearing during remote operation sessions.
Solution Approach 2:
The terminal acts as an intermediary between the user and the information processing apparatus. It translates user operations into transmitted operation information that the apparatus can recognize, bridging the gap between remote user actions and the apparatus's automatic clearing detection mechanism.
2Reliability
If the automatic clearing time is set to a short duration to quickly restore the initial state, then security is improved, but productivity deteriorates due to frequent clearing interruptions
Solution Approach 1:
By receiving continuous operation feedback from the terminal, the apparatus can extend the automatic clearing time or suspend the clearing function during active remote operations, preventing frequent interruptions that would reduce productivity while maintaining security when truly idle.
Solution Approach 2:
The automatic clearing time is made dynamic rather than fixed. It adjusts based on operational context - shorter when truly idle for security, and extended or suspended when remote operations are detected through terminal feedback, thereby balancing security and productivity.
Data Source
AI summary
A configuration is provided in which in a case where a user operation is performed on an image forming apparatus or a data processing apparatus while the image forming apparatus and the data processing apparatus are operating in cooperation with each other, the automatic clearing timers of both the apparatuses are reset.