Image Forming Framework Decoupling Core Logic and UI

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing multifunction machines, such as those with copy, print, and fax capabilities, face inefficiencies in system construction and application management, particularly in handling window state changes and application dependencies, leading to complex structures and difficulties in adding or deleting applications.

Innovation Solution

An image forming apparatus is designed with a framework separating core logic and user interface components, utilizing an application programming interface that includes before-the-fact notification for window state changes, allowing for efficient management and easy addition/deletion of applications by decoupling core logic and UI frames.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If applications are added or deleted in existing multifunction machines, then application management flexibility is improved, but system complexity and synchronization dependencies increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveapplication management flexibilityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The framework is segmented into independent modules: core logic portion, UI frame portion, and application portions. Each application can be independently added or deleted without affecting the core logic or other applications. The window management function is also segmented to operate independently on each application window, eliminating synchronization dependencies between applications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The notification mechanism provides preliminary action by notifying applications in advance of window state changes before they actually occur. This allows applications to prepare for state changes proactively, reducing the need for complex synchronization and dependency management between applications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If window state changes are handled in existing systems, then display functionality is maintained, but system activation time increases due to synchronization requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisplay functionalityVSAvoidsystem activation time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Each application independently handles its own window state changes through the notification mechanism. Applications self-manage their display states without requiring coordination or synchronization with other applications, eliminating synchronization dependencies and reducing system activation time while maintaining reliable display functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS10015349B2Image forming apparatus and storage medium

Publication Date: 2018.07.03 FUJIFILM BUSINESS INNOVATION CORP

AI summary

An image forming apparatus includes an application on a framework that is separated into a core logic portion handling basic processing and a user interface frame portion handling rendering processing and operates; and a controller that executes the application and the framework. The core logic portion is implemented with an application programming interface defined by the framework, and the application programming interface includes a before-the-fact notification indicative of that a window of the application is changed to a display state as a result that another window in an upper layer is changed to a non-display state.