Communication System Configuration Priority Handling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic apparatuses face difficulties in accurately setting and confirming configuration information, particularly when multiple methods such as UI, web, and synchronization settings are used concurrently, leading to unintended operation of electronic devices.

Innovation Solution

A communication system that prioritizes configuration information reception based on pre-set orders for UI, web, and synchronization settings, ensuring that configuration information set by higher priority methods is applied while discarding information from lower priority methods, even if received later, to maintain intended device operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If multiple configuration setting methods (UI, web, synchronization) are used concurrently to improve ease of operation, then configuration flexibility is improved, but configuration accuracy deteriorates due to conflicts between different setting methods

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconfiguration flexibilityVSAvoidconfiguration accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by establishing a predetermined priority order among different configuration setting methods before conflicts occur. The control unit stores this priority order in advance, so when configuration information is received through multiple channels, the system can immediately determine which method takes precedence without real-time conflict resolution delays. This pre-established hierarchy ensures configuration accuracy is maintained while preserving the flexibility to use multiple setting methods simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If configuration information is received from multiple sources to improve adaptability, then system versatility is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to uncertainty about which configuration is effectively applied

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem versatilityVSAvoidconfiguration reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback by having the control unit notify the notification unit whenever configuration information is received and processed. This feedback mechanism provides real-time information about which configuration method is currently active and what configuration information has been applied. The notification unit can inform users about the status of configuration settings, ensuring that even though multiple configuration sources are accepted for versatility, the system maintains reliability by providing transparent feedback about the effective configuration state.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Productivity

If configuration information is applied based on reception timing to improve productivity, then configuration speed is improved, but configuration accuracy deteriorates due to unintended overwriting of settings

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconfiguration speedVSAvoidconfiguration accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-establishing a priority order among different configuration setting methods before configuration conflicts occur. When configuration information is received, the control unit immediately compares the reception method against the stored priority order, rather than simply applying the latest configuration regardless of source. This allows the system to maintain high configuration speed by making immediate decisions, while ensuring accuracy by preventing unintended overwriting of higher-priority settings with lower-priority ones.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3435226B1Communication system , method of setting configuration information, and electronic apparatus
Publication Date: 2022.11.30 RICOH CO LTD
  • EP3435226B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3435226B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3435226B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A communication system (100) includes a first electronic apparatus (2α), and a second electronic apparatus (2A, 2B, 2C, 2X) communicable with the first electronic apparatus (2α). The first electronic apparatus includes first circuitry (101) configured to transmit first configuration information stored in a first memory (104, 19) of the first electronic apparatus (2α) to the second electronic apparatus (2A, 2B, 2C, 2X) at a given timing. The second electronic apparatus (2A, 2B, 2C, 2X) includes second circuitry, including a plurality of information reception interfaces (11, 12, 16) including at least a first information reception interface (16) and a second information reception interface (11). The second circuitry receives the first configuration information from the first electronic apparatus (2α) via the first information reception interface (16), receives second configuration information via the second information reception interface (11), refers to priority information indicating a priority order set for the first information reception interface (16) and the second information reception interface (11), and determines which of the first configuration information received from the first electronic apparatus (2α) via the first information reception interface (16) and the second configuration information received via the second information reception interface (11) is to be discarded or stored in a second memory (104, 19) of the second electronic apparatus (2A, 2B, 2C, 2X) based on the priority order set for the first information reception interface (16) and the second information reception interface (11).