Automatic Execution Folder File Identification Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional automatic execution functions in file management systems cannot distinguish between automatic execution folders and normal folders, leading to potential unintended file movements and execution of unintended processing tasks, compromising security.

Innovation Solution

An information processing apparatus and method that adds unique identification information to files moved to automatic execution folders, allowing the system to determine whether to execute the file based on the presence of this information, thereby preventing erroneous automatic execution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If automatic execution function is implemented without identification verification, then productivity is improved through automated processing, but security deteriorates due to unintended file execution

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveworkflow efficiencyVSAvoidsecurity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary identification verification by checking whether identification information is attached to files before allowing automatic execution. This advance check prevents unintended files from being processed, thereby maintaining security while preserving the productivity benefits of automated execution for properly identified files.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If automatic execution folder is not distinguished from normal folder, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to inability to discriminate folder types

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefolder management simplicityVSAvoidfolder type discrimination

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system visually distinguishes automatic execution folders from normal folders by changing the display color or adding special icons to indicate their special status. This allows users to easily discriminate folder types at a glance while maintaining the simplicity of folder management operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

3Reliability

If identification information is added to files, then reliability is improved through accurate file identification, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefile identification accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses a universal identification mechanism that can be applied to any file type and integrated with existing file management infrastructure. By employing a standardized identification approach rather than file-specific methods, the system achieves reliable file identification without proportionally increasing complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS11782876B2Information processing apparatus, method of controlling the same, and storage medium

Publication Date: 2023.10.10 CANON KK

AI summary

An information processing apparatus that has an automatic execution function to automatically execute a file which has been input to an automatic execution folder. The apparatus sets the automatic execution folder in which a process content has been set, and adds, in a case that a file is to be moved to the automatic execution folder by a first application, a piece of uniquely specifiable identification information to the file, and determines, in a case that the first application is to automatically execute a file held in the automatic execution folder, whether or not the identification information has been added to the file, and performs control to automatically execute the file in a case that the identification information has been added, and not to automatically execute the file in a case that the identification information has not been added.