Dynamic User Specification Management in Information Processing Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional information processing systems, such as image forming apparatuses, face challenges in dynamically changing user information specifications without requiring significant software modifications, which can be time-consuming and costly.
Innovation Solution
An information processing apparatus with an input unit, user-information storage unit, specification-information storage unit, and changing unit that allows users to input requests for changing specification information, and optionally obtains and stores specification information from other devices or storage media, enabling dynamic changes to user information specifications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If specifications of user information are predefined in conventional systems, then software stability is maintained, but adaptability to different environments deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the specification information from the software code by storing it in a separate database. This allows the specification layer to be independently modified without changing the software structure, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes specification information dynamic and changeable through user input and external sources, while the software remains static. This dynamic specification layer enables environmental adaptability without requiring software modifications.
2Adaptability or versatility
If user information specifications are changed by modifying software, then adaptability improves, but time and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service specification changes through user input interfaces and automatic external information acquisition. Users can directly modify specifications without involving software developers, dramatically reducing the time required for specification changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent pre-establishes the database structure and information acquisition channels during software development. This preliminary setup allows rapid specification changes later without requiring software modification, reducing both time and cost.
3Adaptability or versatility
If user information specifications are changed by modifying software, then adaptability improves, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
By separating specification data from software code into an independent database, the patent enables low-cost specification changes. Only data needs to be updated, not the software itself, significantly reducing modification costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a database as an intermediary between software and specification requirements. This intermediary layer absorbs the cost of specification changes, protecting the software from expensive modifications while maintaining flexibility.
Data Source
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AI summary
A user-information managing unit (100) controls reading of information stored in a user-information DB (110) and a rule DB (111) and writing of information to these databases. A customization processing unit (101) receives a request for customizing rule information stored in the rule DB (111) and customizes the rule information stored in the rule DB (111) via the user-information managing unit.