Cross-Device Setting Synchronization Without Central Server

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current information processing systems lack an efficient configuration for managing setting information across multiple apparatuses without a server, leading to difficulties in maintaining and updating user-specific settings for functions across devices.

Innovation Solution

An information processing system where a first apparatus transmits function identification and user identification information to a second apparatus, enabling the second apparatus to request and update setting information based on the received information, allowing for synchronized setting management across devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If setting information is stored individually in each apparatus without a server, then device independence and reduced server maintenance are achieved, but setting synchronization and management across multiple apparatuses become difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice independenceVSAvoidsetting management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a server as an intermediary component that stores setting information centrally. When a user accesses a different apparatus, the system automatically retrieves and applies the user's preferred settings from the server, enabling synchronization across multiple devices without requiring complex peer-to-peer communication between apparatuses.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The server is designed to serve multiple apparatuses simultaneously, providing a universal storage and management platform for setting information. This allows the same setting data to be accessed and applied across different image processing apparatuses, eliminating the need for individual apparatus-specific storage while maintaining device independence.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If a server is used to manage setting information across multiple apparatuses, then setting synchronization is improved, but maintenance and management burden increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesetting synchronizationVSAvoidserver maintenance

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements automatic setting retrieval and application mechanisms that operate without manual intervention. When a user logs into an apparatus, the system automatically requests the user's setting information from the server and applies it, eliminating the need for manual configuration or server maintenance by users.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system establishes a feedback loop where apparatuses automatically report user access information to the server, which then responds by providing the appropriate setting information. This automated feedback mechanism ensures setting synchronization while reducing the manual management burden on the server.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Ease of operation

If setting information is automatically updated across apparatuses, then user experience consistency is improved, but data transmission and processing overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser experience consistencyVSAvoiddata transmission overhead

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system pre-loads and stores user setting information on the server during off-peak times or when the user is actively configuring settings. This preliminary action ensures that when the user accesses an apparatus, the setting information is already available and can be quickly retrieved and applied, reducing real-time data transmission requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of continuously syncing data between all apparatuses, the system creates copies of the user's setting information and stores them on the server. Each apparatus then retrieves its needed copy on demand, eliminating the need for continuous peer-to-peer data transmission while maintaining consistency across devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentUS10574835B2Information processing apparatus for updating function settings with setting data received from another image processing apparatus

Publication Date: 2020.02.25 FUJIFILM BUSINESS INNOVATION CORP

AI summary

An information processing system includes a first information processing apparatus and a second information processing apparatus that use setting information. The first information processing apparatus includes a transmission unit that transmits information including at least function identification information and user identification information to the second information processing apparatus, the function identification information identifying a function for which first setting information is used, and the user identification information identifying a user associated with the function identification information. The second information processing apparatus includes a request unit that makes a request for the first setting information to the first information processing apparatus in a case where second setting information is stored in the second information processing apparatus; and an update unit that updates the second setting information in accordance with the first setting information that has been transmitted from the first information processing apparatus.