Dynamic Emulator Status Control for Image Forming Apparatus Testing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing emulators for image forming apparatuses are not designed to change various statuses at user-desired timings, limiting the ability to efficiently check operational capabilities of applications in different operational conditions such as paper jam, out-of-toner, or out-of-sheet scenarios.
Innovation Solution
An information processing system with a simulator that can change its status in response to user instructions, including a request receiver, simulator, instruction receiver, and status changer, allowing the emulation of various operational statuses of an image forming apparatus, such as a paper jam or out-of-toner status, to be reproduced and tested.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If existing emulators are used for image forming apparatuses, then application development is enabled, but the ability to change various statuses at user-desired timings is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The emulator transitions from a static system to a dynamic one by introducing a status changer that allows real-time modification of operational statuses (paper jam, out-of-toner, out-of-sheet) during application execution. This enables the emulator to adapt its state based on user instructions, resolving the contradiction between maintaining emulator functionality and enabling flexible status changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the operational parameters of the emulator by adding control over status parameters. The status changer modifies internal state parameters (jam status, toner status, sheet status) at user-desired timings, allowing comprehensive testing of application behavior under various conditions without requiring multiple physical devices.
2Productivity
If multiple developers share one image forming apparatus, then resource utilization is improved, but efficient checking of application capabilities is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The emulator creates a virtual copy of the image forming apparatus that replicates its operational statuses and behaviors. This copy allows multiple developers to simultaneously test applications with different status configurations without interfering with each other or requiring access to the physical device, thus maintaining resource efficiency while enhancing testing capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The emulator segments the testing functionality from the physical apparatus, creating independent virtual instances that can be configured with different status parameters. Each developer can work with their own emulator instance, allowing parallel development and testing while sharing the same physical hardware resource.
3Productivity
If emulators are installed on personal computers for application checking, then development efficiency is improved, but the ability to reproduce various apparatus statuses is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The emulator on personal computers transitions from a static emulation model to a dynamic one with programmable status control. The status changer component allows the emulator to reproduce various apparatus statuses (paper jam, out-of-toner, out-of-sheet) on-demand, enabling comprehensive application testing while maintaining the convenience of PC-based development.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is an information processing system having one or more computers. The information processing system includes a request receiver configured to receive a request from a program causing an apparatus to execute a predetermined process, a simulator configured to simulate the process executed by the apparatus in accordance with the request, an instruction receiver configured to receive a status change instruction for changing a status of the simulator from a user, and a status changer configured to cause the simulator to change a status of the simulator in accordance with the status change instruction. In the information processing system, the simulator simulates the process executed by the apparatus in the status changed by the status changer.