Information Processing Apparatus for Intuitive Flow Creation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users face difficulties in creating flows by combining components responsive to functions forming the flow, as they need to determine all components beforehand, which can be cumbersome and barrier-intensive.

Innovation Solution

An information processing apparatus that includes a memory storing component specifications and a processor configured to extract and display components based on user selection, allowing the creation of flows by selecting part of the components rather than determining all components in advance, using the specifications of the components and a first component selected as a base point.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If users determine all components forming the flow in advance, then the flow creation is complete and accurate, but the complexity and difficulty of the creation process increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflow creation accuracyVSAvoidflow creation process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The flow creation process is segmented into multiple stages: initial component selection, automatic extraction of related components, and iterative refinement. Users start by selecting only the base component they need, then the system automatically segments and presents related components (prior and subsequent processes) for selection, breaking down the complex task of determining all components at once into manageable steps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Users are not required to determine all components forming the flow in advance. Instead, they perform partial action by selecting only the base component initially. The system then automatically extracts and presents related components, allowing users to progressively build the flow with partial information rather than requiring complete upfront specification.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

2Reliability

If users determine all components forming the flow in advance, then the flow is complete, but the time required for flow creation increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflow creation completenessVSAvoidflow creation time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary action by automatically extracting related components (prior and subsequent processes) based on the user's selected base component and stored specifications. This automatic extraction eliminates the need for users to manually search and determine all components, significantly reducing the time required while ensuring flow completeness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system serves itself by automatically extracting and organizing component information based on stored specifications and sequential order relationships. Rather than requiring users to manually determine all components, the system self-generates the component list and presents it to the user, reducing both time and effort required for flow creation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Loss of information

If the system displays all components with their specifications, then users have complete information, but the ease of operation decreases due to information overload

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomponent specification informationVSAvoidflow creation ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system extracts and displays only the essential information needed for flow creation: the sequential order relationship between components (prior and subsequent processes). Detailed component specifications are stored in the memory but not displayed unless needed, extracting only the critical path information for presentation to users, thereby reducing information overload while maintaining operational ease.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Manufacturing precision

If users need to understand all component specifications, then accurate flow creation is possible, but the ease of operation decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflow creation accuracyVSAvoidflow creation ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Users perform partial action by selecting only the base component they need without understanding all specifications. The system then automatically extracts related components based on stored specifications and sequential relationships, allowing users to create accurate flows with partial knowledge rather than requiring comprehensive understanding of all component specifications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS11320964B2Information processing apparatus and non-transitory computer readable medium

Publication Date: 2022.05.03 FUJIFILM BUSINESS INNOVATION CORP

AI summary

An information processing apparatus includes a memory storing specifications of components corresponding to functions forming a flow, and a processor configured to perform control to extract, using the specifications of the components and a first component selected by a user and serving as a base point, a second component that performs a process prior to or subsequent to the first component and perform control to display the first component and the second component on a display.