Cross-Device Setting Transfer for Image Processing Apparatuses

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional information processing apparatuses cannot apply settings registered for one image processing apparatus to a different image processing apparatus, requiring users to manually input settings for each device, which is inefficient and prone to errors.

Innovation Solution

An information processing apparatus that communicates with multiple image processing apparatuses, acquires their command sets, displays setting screens, extracts and registers user-defined commands, and determines equivalent commands in different command sets to reflect settings across different devices, allowing seamless transfer of user preferences.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If settings are registered for one image processing apparatus, then the setting can be easily applied to that specific device, but the setting cannot be applied to a different image processing apparatus requiring manual re-input

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesetting registration convenienceVSAvoidsetting applicability across different devices

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal setting management system where favorites registered for one image processing apparatus can be automatically reflected in settings for different image processing apparatuses. The system retrieves command sets from multiple devices, identifies corresponding settings across different command structures, and applies registered favorites universally across all connected devices, eliminating the need for manual re-input for each device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The information processing apparatus acts as an intermediary between multiple image processing apparatuses with different command sets. It retrieves and analyzes command sets from various devices, establishes correspondence relationships between different command structures, and mediates the transfer of favorite settings by converting them into appropriate commands for each target device based on their specific command sets.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If manual setting input is required for each image processing apparatus, then device-specific settings can be precisely controlled, but user time and effort are significantly increased

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesetting accuracyVSAvoidsetting input time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary retrieval and analysis of command sets from multiple image processing apparatuses before actual printing operations. By pre-establishing the correspondence relationships between different command sets and pre-processing favorite settings into device-specific formats, the system eliminates the need for manual setting re-input for each device, significantly reducing user time and effort while maintaining setting accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If different command sets are used for different image processing apparatuses, then each device can execute its specific job sets, but settings cannot be transferred between devices with different command systems

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice compatibilityVSAvoidsetting transferability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent dynamically changes parameters by retrieving and analyzing different command sets from multiple image processing apparatuses, identifying corresponding settings across different command structures, and transforming favorite settings into the appropriate command format for each target device. This parameter transformation enables seamless setting transfer between devices with fundamentally different command systems while maintaining device-specific execution capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS10140076B2Information processing apparatus and non-transitory recording medium

Publication Date: 2018.11.27 KONICA MINOLTA INC

AI summary

An information processing apparatus includes a communication part that communicates with a first image processing apparatus to execute a job set based on a first command set and a second image processing apparatus to execute a job set based on a second command set; a display controller displaying a setting screen; a setting command extracting part that extracts at least one setting command from setting commands; a command transmitting part that transmits the setting command to the first image processing apparatus or the second image processing apparatus; a setting command registering part that registers the setting command with command registration information; a command determining part determining whether or not the second command set includes a setting command associated with the setting command in the first command set; and a setting command reflecting part that reflects the setting command in the setting screen.