Dynamic Notification Timing for Printed Content Production

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need for a technique to control information processing apparatuses to appropriately execute notification processing, particularly in managing notification timing based on the type and production period of printed materials, as existing systems lack efficient mechanisms for coordinating notification processing with the assembly and completion of printed content.

Innovation Solution

A notification system comprising a printing apparatus and a server system that controls notification processing for printed materials, where the server system manages notification timing based on the production period of the content, executing notification processing at appropriate times for different types of printed materials, either through push notifications or on-screen notifications depending on the content's requirements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If notification processing is executed at a fixed timing after printing, then the notification system is simple to implement, but it cannot appropriately handle different types of printed materials with different production periods

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenotification timing adaptationVSAvoidnotification control system

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The notification timing is made dynamic rather than fixed. The control unit determines notification timing based on the production period specified in content information, allowing the system to adapt notification schedules to different content types (e.g., newspapers with daily production periods vs. magazines with monthly production periods).

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The content information includes predetermined production period data stored in advance. The control unit uses this pre-stored information to automatically determine appropriate notification timing without requiring real-time analysis, simplifying the control logic while maintaining adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Loss of time

If notification processing is executed immediately after printing, then the response time is fast, but it may notify users before the printed content is fully assembled or ready

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenotification delayVSAvoidnotification accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The content information includes predetermined production period data that specifies how long after printing the content will be ready. The control unit uses this pre-stored information to calculate the optimal notification timing, ensuring users are notified at the appropriate moment when the content is ready for use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses the production period information as feedback to adjust notification timing. By referencing the predetermined production period, the control unit can determine when the printed material will be complete and schedule notifications accordingly, avoiding premature or delayed notifications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If the server system is integrated within the printing apparatus, then the system architecture is simpler, but the server cannot independently manage notification processing for multiple devices

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemulti-device notification managementVSAvoidsystem architecture

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The notification system is segmented into separate functional components: the printing apparatus handles printing operations while the server system independently manages notification processing. This separation allows the server to serve multiple printing apparatuses and information processing apparatuses simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The server system acts as an intermediary between the printing apparatus and information processing apparatuses. It receives content information including production periods from printing apparatuses, processes notification timing decisions, and sends notifications to appropriate users, coordinating multiple devices without requiring direct peer-to-peer communication.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS11599310B2Notification system, information processing apparatus, and server system, for appropriately executing notification processing

Publication Date: 2023.03.07 CANON KK

AI summary

An information processing apparatus is controlled to execute, at a first timing, notification processing for a first printed material obtained by printing a first content, based on information indicating that a content printed by a printing apparatus corresponds to the first content, and the information processing apparatus is controlled to execute, at a second timing earlier than the first timing, notification processing for a second printed material obtained by printing a second content, based on information indicating that the content printed by the printing apparatus corresponds to the second content, the second content being different from the first content.