Image Forming Apparatus Application Development Tools
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current application development for image forming apparatuses, such as printers, is complex and inaccessible to general users lacking computer knowledge, requiring installation of cross compilers and emulators, and involving cumbersome upload and download processes.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus with a solution that provides tools for developing applications, allowing users to combine functions and generate applications without the need for cross compilers or emulators, using a storage medium with a hierarchical structure including firmware, wrapper, API, and solution blocks, enabling application development directly on the device through a graphical user interface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If application development is performed using cross compilers and emulators on external computers, then application development capability is provided, but device complexity and difficulty of operation increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the application development environment directly within the image forming apparatus by integrating the development tool, execution environment, and storage into a single system. This eliminates the need for external cross compilers and emulators, resolving the contradiction by providing development capability while reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The image forming apparatus is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as both the target device for applications and the development environment for creating those applications. The single apparatus provides development tools, execution environment, and storage functionality, making the system universal and eliminating the need for separate development computers.
2Adaptability or versatility
If application development requires installation of cross compilers and emulators on external computers, then application development is possible, but ease of operation deteriorates due to complex setup procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The image forming apparatus serves itself by providing the complete application development environment internally. Users can develop applications directly on the apparatus without needing to configure external computers with cross compilers and emulators. The system provides all necessary tools and environments self-contained, dramatically improving ease of operation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If applications are developed and stored externally, then application functionality is provided, but loss of time increases due to upload and download processes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the application development, storage, and execution functions into the same image forming apparatus. Applications are created and stored locally in the apparatus's storage unit, eliminating the need for separate upload and download processes between external computers and the device, thus eliminating time loss.
Data Source
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AI summary
A solution providing tools for developing an application of an image forming apparatus is stored in the image forming apparatus, and functions of the image forming apparatus are displayed according to execution of the solution. An application corresponding to input information of a user is generated by combining functions of the image forming apparatus based on the input information of the user and is stored in the image forming apparatus.