Custom UI Applications in Web Browser Frames

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing information processing systems face challenges in flexibly customizing the display screen of applications, as the customization options are limited by pre-set configurations, making it difficult to directly issue execution commands for functions like printing and scanning from within an iframe due to security restrictions.

Innovation Solution

A system that allows developers to generate and register custom UI applications on a server, enabling flexible customization of the display screen through a customization tool, and provides an interface for using functions like printing and scanning by integrating a custom UI library, which interacts with the information processing system's interface to execute commands.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the display screen is customized with pre-set items and ranges by the application developer, then the application can be generated with basic customization capabilities, but the display screen cannot be flexibly customized beyond the pre-set options

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay screen customization flexibilityVSAvoidcustomization system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The display screen is divided into multiple independent regions, each capable of being customized separately. The screen is segmented into functional areas that can be independently configured, allowing flexible customization without requiring complete redesign of the entire interface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The customization capability is extended from traditional single-dimension options to multi-dimensional customization by allowing users to configure not only what elements are displayed but also their spatial arrangement, size, and hierarchical relationships across different screen regions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If security restrictions are implemented to prevent direct execution commands from iframe, then system security is improved, but the ability to execute printing and scanning functions from within iframe is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem securityVSAvoidfunction execution capability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

An intermediary layer is introduced between the iframe content and the system functions. The iframe can issue commands through defined interfaces and APIs that mediate the interaction, allowing secure execution of printing and scanning functions without direct access to system resources.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The interface system is designed to be universal, supporting multiple functions including printing, scanning, and other device operations through a unified API framework. This allows the same interface mechanism to handle diverse functions while maintaining security constraints.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3751414B1Information processing system, server apparatus, information processing method, and carrier means
Publication Date: 2023.08.02 RICOH CO LTD
  • EP3751414B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3751414B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3751414B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An information processing system includes: a server apparatus (101) to manage an application; and an electronic device to communicate with the server apparatus (101) via a network, the electronic device (103) having a web browser for displaying a web page provided by the server apparatus (101). The server apparatus (101) includes: an application register (542) to receive registration of an application having customized a display screen; a screen display processor (521) to cause the display screen of the application to be displayed within a frame of the web page; and an application executor (522) to, in response to an input to the display screen displayed within the frame, receive a request for executing at least one function of the information processing system from a script outside the frame, via an interface for providing the at least one function of the information processing system, and control execution of the at least one function.