Common Control Program Maintenance Management for Multi-Model Apparatuses

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing information processing systems lack the ability to determine whether to continue using a common control program for apparatuses whose maintenance periods have expired, especially when controlling multiple devices of different models.

Innovation Solution

An information processing apparatus with a first obtaining unit for update data and a model information file, a second obtaining unit for model names, and a display control unit that notifies users of expired maintenance periods and prompts them to delete model names from the control program list, ensuring only up-to-date devices are maintained.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a common control program is used to control multiple apparatuses of different models, then the versatility and ease of operation are improved, but the reliability deteriorates when maintenance periods have expired

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to control multiple apparatuses of different modelsVSAvoidcontrol reliability when maintenance period expires

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically obtains maintenance information from apparatuses and feeds back to the control program. The display control unit presents maintenance status information to the user, enabling informed decisions about which apparatuses to continue controlling based on their maintenance states

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary detection of maintenance status before allowing control. By obtaining maintenance information in advance and presenting it to the user before control activation, the system prevents unreliable control of unmaintained apparatuses

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If the common control program automatically controls all connected apparatuses, then the ease of operation is improved, but the loss of information increases when maintenance periods have expired

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomatic control of apparatusesVSAvoidloss of control over expired maintenance apparatuses

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides feedback about maintenance status to the user through the display control unit. This enables users to make informed decisions about which apparatuses to maintain control over, preventing unintentional loss of control information for expired apparatuses

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system segments the control list into apparatuses based on their maintenance status. By obtaining and processing maintenance information separately for each apparatus, the system allows selective control where users can choose to maintain control only over apparatuses with valid maintenance periods

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If maintenance information is manually checked for each apparatus, then the reliability is improved, but the loss of time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of maintenance status determinationVSAvoidtime required to check maintenance status

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The apparatuses themselves provide their maintenance information automatically to the control program. The second obtaining unit retrieves maintenance status directly from the apparatuses without requiring manual intervention, making the system self-serve its own status information

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs maintenance status detection in advance during the control program operation. By obtaining maintenance information proactively rather than reactively, the system eliminates the need for manual checking and reduces time loss

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS10936259B2Information processing apparatus and non-transitory computer readable medium

Publication Date: 2021.03.02 FUJIFILM BUSINESS INNOVATION CORP

AI summary

An information processing apparatus includes a first obtaining unit that obtains update data for a common control program capable of controlling plural apparatuses whose models are different from one another and a model information file including maintenance information indicating a current maintenance state of each of the plural apparatuses, a second obtaining unit that, when updating the common control program using the update data obtained by the first obtaining unit, obtains information regarding a model name from a connected apparatus to be controlled, and a display control unit that, if the maintenance information regarding the connected apparatus from which the second obtaining unit has obtained the information regarding the model name indicates that a maintenance period has expired, displays a selection screen for asking a user whether to delete the model name from a model list displayed to the user by the common control program.