Framework Segmentation for Image Processing Application Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing multifunction machines, such as those with copy, print, and fax capabilities, face challenges in efficiently managing a system with various applications, leading to complex structures and dependencies among applications, making it difficult to add or remove applications without significant adjustments.

Innovation Solution

An image processing apparatus is designed with a framework that separates core logic and user interface components, allowing each application to communicate through a defined application programming interface, enabling independent management and easy addition or deletion of applications without affecting the entire system.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If applications are integrated into a unified system with shared processing logic, then system functionality and versatility are improved, but system complexity and difficulty of management increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem functionalityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system is segmented into independent application modules, each encapsulating specific functionality (copy, print, fax, etc.). These modules communicate through standardized interfaces with the core logic portion, allowing versatile functionality while maintaining manageable complexity through modular architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The core logic portion provides universal processing capabilities that serve multiple applications. By implementing common functions at the core level (such as rendering, device control, and data processing), the system achieves versatility without requiring each application to duplicate logic, thus managing complexity efficiently.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Productivity

If multiple applications share common processing resources and logic, then resource utilization efficiency is improved, but synchronization requirements and coordination overhead increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresource utilization efficiencyVSAvoidsynchronization requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The framework acts as an intermediary layer between applications and core logic resources. It manages resource allocation, coordination, and synchronization centrally, allowing multiple applications to efficiently share processing resources without direct inter-application synchronization complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

Each application independently interacts with the core logic through standardized interfaces, managing its own resource requests and operations. This self-service approach reduces the need for complex inter-application synchronization while maintaining efficient resource utilization through the core logic's centralized management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If applications are tightly coupled with the system framework, then system integration and coherence are improved, but ease of adding or removing applications deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem integrationVSAvoidease of adding or removing applications

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Applications are segmented as independent, interchangeable modules with well-defined interfaces. This segmentation allows applications to be added or removed without affecting the core logic or other applications, maintaining system integration through standardized connection points while enabling easy modification of the application set.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The core logic portion provides universal, application-agnostic processing capabilities through standardized interfaces. This universality ensures consistent system integration and coherence across different applications while allowing any application conforming to the interface specification to be added or removed without system reconfiguration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Reliability

If a comprehensive system framework is implemented to manage multiple applications, then system coordination and control are improved, but system activation time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem coordinationVSAvoidsystem activation time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The core logic portion and framework infrastructure are pre-initialized and ready to serve applications. Common processing components, device connections, and system resources are prepared in advance, allowing applications to be activated quickly without requiring comprehensive system re-initialization, thus reducing activation time while maintaining coordination capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS10445037B2Image processing apparatus and storage medium

Publication Date: 2019.10.15 FUJIFILM BUSINESS INNOVATION CORP

AI summary

An image processing 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 publishes a method and an event that are used for communication with a core logic portion of another application.