Image Forming Device Prohibition Control Unit Customization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current image forming devices lack a flexible and efficient mechanism to customize prohibition settings without requiring extensive customization of firmware, leading to increased time and labor in configuring device functionalities.

Innovation Solution

An electronic device with a prohibition control unit that updates use prohibition information based on settings stored in a storage device, allowing for customization of prohibition settings through a setting file, separate from firmware updates, enabling dynamic configuration of device functionalities such as paper size, printing options, and stapling capabilities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If prohibition settings are hardcoded in firmware, then device security is improved, but device complexity and customization time increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice securityVSAvoidfirmware customization

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent separates prohibition information into two segments: fixed prohibition information embedded in firmware and variable prohibition information stored in storage devices. This segmentation allows security-critical functions to remain in firmware while customizable restrictions are moved to external storage, reducing firmware complexity and enabling flexible customization without compromising security.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts variable prohibition settings from the firmware and stores them separately in storage devices. By taking out the customizable prohibition information from the firmware, the system maintains security through firmware-enforced restrictions while allowing flexible configuration through external files, thereby reducing firmware complexity and customization overhead.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Adaptability or versatility

If extensive firmware customization is performed to change prohibition settings, then device functionality is improved, but time and labor required for configuration increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprohibition settings customizationVSAvoidconfiguration time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent prepares prohibition information in advance by embedding fixed restrictions in firmware and storing variable restrictions as separate files in storage devices. This preliminary preparation allows the device to load and apply customized prohibition settings without requiring time-consuming firmware modifications, thereby improving adaptability while minimizing configuration time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses setting files stored in storage devices as copies of prohibition information that can be easily updated and applied. Instead of modifying firmware directly, the system copies prohibition settings from external storage files, enabling quick customization and updates without lengthy firmware compilation and flashing processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Ease of operation

If users have access to modify firmware prohibition settings, then ease of operation is improved, but device security deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesettings modificationVSAvoiddevice security

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces setting files stored in storage devices as an intermediary layer between users and the firmware prohibition system. Users can modify and update prohibition settings by editing these external files, which are then applied by the device without requiring firmware modification. This intermediary mechanism provides ease of operation while maintaining security, as the firmware itself remains intact and protected.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS11258917B2Electronic device capable of customizing prohibition content and computer-readable non-transitory recording medium storing program for the electronic device

Publication Date: 2022.02.22 KYOCERA DOCUMENT SOLUTIONS INC

AI summary

An image forming device includes a storage device, firmware for the image forming device, and a prohibition control unit configured to execute control relating to prohibition in the image forming device. The firmware includes prohibition information indicating the prohibition, and the prohibition control unit holds use prohibition information indicating the prohibition to be used when executing the control relating to the prohibition in the image forming device. After the prohibition control unit sets the prohibition indicated in the prohibition information included in the firmware into the use prohibition information, when a setting file indicating the prohibition to be set in the image forming device is stored in the storage device, the prohibition control unit updates the use prohibition information with the prohibition indicated in the setting file on the storage device.