Controller Automates Setting Import From Removable Storage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users face cumbersome operations when configuring setting information on image-forming devices, as they must repeatedly select setting items from a display device each time they want to import settings.

Innovation Solution

An information-processing device with a storage system and controller that imports designated setting items from a removable storage medium based on import instruction information, simplifying the configuration process by automating the selection, exclusion, and replacement of setting items.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the user manually selects setting items from the displayed setting information, then the user can choose specific settings to import, but the operation becomes troublesome and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of setting configurationVSAvoidtime for selecting setting items

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically determines which setting items can be configured and imports them without requiring manual user selection. The image-forming device autonomously processes the setting information, identifying importable items and executing the import based on stored import instruction information, thereby eliminating the need for users to manually select each setting item.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The import instruction information is stored in advance on the external storage device, specifying which setting items should be imported. This preliminary preparation allows the system to automatically execute the import process without requiring real-time user decisions, significantly reducing the time and effort required for setting configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If the system displays all setting information for user selection, then the user has full control over what to import, but the operation becomes complex and troublesome

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol over setting importVSAvoidease of setting configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system autonomously determines which setting items are importable by checking against stored import instruction information, eliminating the need for users to manually review and select from displayed settings. The automatic determination process maintains adaptability by respecting pre-configured import instructions while simplifying user interaction to minimal actions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS11095792B2Information-processing device importing therein setting information stored in removable storage medium in accordance with setting instruction information stored therein together with setting information

Publication Date: 2021.08.17 BROTHER KOGYO KK

AI summary

An information-processing device includes: a storage storing setting information including an operation setting for the information-processing device; a controller configured to operate according to the setting information stored in the storage; and an input-output interface to which a removable storage medium is connectable, the removable storage medium storing import setting information and import instruction information on importation of the import setting information, the import setting information being setting information for importation, the import setting information including a plurality of setting items. The controller is further configured to perform: (a) importing, while the removable storage medium is connected to the input-output interface, a designated setting item of the plurality of setting items into the storage in accordance with the import instruction information.