Execution Controller for Automatic Job Initiation via Stored Preparatory Actions

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current information processing systems for image forming apparatuses lack an efficient mechanism to automatically execute jobs based on predefined preparatory actions and setting items without explicit user instructions, leading to potential errors and inefficiencies in job execution.

Innovation Solution

An information processing apparatus with an execution unit, memory, and execution controller that stores preparatory actions in association with setting items, allowing the system to deem an execution instruction given and control the execution unit to perform jobs automatically when preparatory actions are satisfied, even without explicit user input.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the system requires explicit user instructions for every job execution, then execution accuracy is maintained, but operational efficiency and user convenience deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvejob execution efficiencyVSAvoiduser intervention requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by storing preparatory actions and setting items in memory before actual job execution. When a preparatory action is detected, the system automatically retrieves associated setting items and executes the job without requiring explicit user instructions, thus improving efficiency while maintaining accuracy through pre-configured parameters.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The execution controller enables the system to serve itself by automatically detecting preparatory actions, retrieving corresponding setting items from memory, and executing jobs without external user intervention. This self-service mechanism improves operational efficiency while maintaining execution accuracy through automated decision-making based on stored associations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Productivity

If the system automatically executes jobs based on preparatory actions, then operational efficiency improves, but execution reliability may worsen due to potential errors in automatic detection

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomatic job executionVSAvoidjob execution accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The execution controller implements a feedback mechanism by continuously monitoring for preparatory actions and comparing detected actions against stored associations in memory. This feedback loop ensures that automatic execution only occurs when the detected preparatory action matches a stored association, thereby maintaining execution reliability while enabling automated operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary validation by storing verified associations between preparatory actions and setting items in memory before automatic execution. This pre-validation ensures that only previously confirmed and validated action-item pairs can trigger automatic job execution, maintaining reliability while enabling automation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If the system stores and processes multiple preparatory actions and setting items, then job execution versatility improves, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvejob configuration flexibilityVSAvoidmemory and control structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The execution controller implements a universal structure that can handle multiple different preparatory actions and setting items through a single standardized memory storage and retrieval mechanism. This multi-functional design allows the system to manage diverse job configurations with a unified control approach, increasing versatility without proportionally increasing complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system segments the job execution process into distinct components: preparatory action detection, memory retrieval of associated setting items, and execution control. This segmentation allows each component to be independently managed and optimized, enabling the system to handle multiple preparatory actions and setting items without overwhelming complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS10630856B2Information processing apparatus and non-transitory computer readable medium storing program

Publication Date: 2020.04.21 FUJIFILM BUSINESS INNOVATION CORP

AI summary

There is provided an information processing apparatus including: an execution unit that executes a first process or a second process with respect to a processing target in a case where an execution instruction is given to any one of the first process and the second process specified by a setting item and a preparatory action with respect to the processing target; a memory that stores the preparatory action in association with the setting item; and an execution controller that deems that the execution instruction is given in a case where the preparatory action stored in the memory is given, and controls the execution unit such that the first process or the second process specified by the preparatory action and the setting item stored in the memory in association with the preparatory action is executed with respect to the processing target.