Hub Controller for Peripheral Access in Multi-System Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Image forming apparatuses with multiple systems housed in a single housing face challenges in sharing peripheral devices effectively, leading to potential contention and complexity in access management between different functions.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus includes a display and two processing units, with a hardware processor that manages screen transitions and access to peripheral devices, allowing seamless switching between functions and ensuring that the peripheral device is available for either processing unit based on the current screen display.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple systems are disposed in a single housing to provide diverse functions, then the versatility and functionality of the apparatus is improved, but contention of access to peripheral devices occurs between different systems
Solution Approach 1:
A hub device is introduced as an intermediary between multiple systems and peripheral devices. The hub manages connection states and controls access to peripheral devices, receiving connection state information from each system and determining which system can access which peripheral device based on current operational context.
Solution Approach 2:
The hub device serves multiple functions: it acts as a connection manager for multiple systems, a switch for routing signals to different peripheral devices, and a controller for managing access rights. This single multi-functional component resolves the contradiction by providing centralized control without requiring separate control mechanisms for each system-peripheral device pair.
2Reliability
If a single peripheral device is shared among multiple systems through exclusive control, then access contention is reduced, but the complexity of connection management increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each system autonomously reports its connection state to the hub without requiring direct control logic in every system. The hub autonomously determines access rights and manages connections based on received status information, reducing the complexity burden on individual systems while maintaining reliable access control.
Solution Approach 2:
The hub serves as a central mediator that consolidates connection management logic. Instead of each system implementing complex access control algorithms, the hub receives simple connection state information and performs the complex determination of access rights, routing, and conflict resolution centrally.
3Area of stationary object
If peripheral devices are mounted in a single housing with multiple systems, then the compactness is improved, but the difficulty of managing peripheral device access among systems increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hub device performs multiple functions within a single component: connection state monitoring, access rights determination, signal routing, and peripheral device control. This multi-functionality enables compact housing while maintaining ease of operation, as the hub handles all management complexity internally without requiring user intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The hub autonomously manages peripheral device access by monitoring connection states from different systems and automatically determining which system should access which peripheral device. This self-service capability eliminates the need for manual configuration or complex user management, maintaining ease of operation despite the compact multi-system architecture.
Data Source
AI summary
An information processing apparatus includes: a display; a first processing unit; and a second processing unit, wherein the first processing unit includes a transmitter configured to transmit a first screen relating to first processing performed by the first processing unit to the second processing unit, the second processing unit includes a mounting section in which a peripheral device is mounted and a hardware processor, the hardware processor configured to: cause the display to selectively display either one of the first screen and a second screen relating to second processing performed by the second processing unit, and when the display displays the first screen, allow the peripheral device to be used for the first processing and, when the display displays the second screen, allow the peripheral device to be used for the second processing.