Image Output Apparatus Management via Functional Status and Communication State
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for managing image output apparatuses struggle to accurately identify and delete unused or failed devices from management targets, often relying on outdated criteria such as use frequency, which may not reflect the current operational status.
Innovation Solution
An information processing apparatus that stores and displays status information about image output apparatuses, including communication states, to identify candidates for deletion based on both functional status and communication state, enabling more accurate and timely removal of non-functional devices from management lists.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If deletion decisions are based on use frequency or last use date/time, then automated management is achieved, but accuracy in identifying truly unused or failed devices deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameters used for deletion decisions from historical usage metrics (use frequency, last use date/time) to current operational parameters (functional status, communication state). This allows the system to automatically identify devices that are currently non-functional or unreachable, significantly improving the accuracy of deletion candidate identification while maintaining automated management.
2Device complexity
If only historical usage data is used for deletion decisions, then simple criteria are applied, but current operational status is not reflected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the information processing apparatus actively queries image output apparatuses to obtain their current functional status and communication state. This real-time feedback loop ensures that deletion decisions are based on current operational status rather than outdated historical data, improving reliability while maintaining relatively simple deletion criteria based on clear status indicators.
3Measurement precision
If comprehensive status information is collected for accurate deletion decisions, then deletion accuracy improves, but system complexity and information processing load increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential status information needed for deletion decisions—specifically functional status and communication state—from the image output apparatuses. By selectively collecting only these critical parameters rather than comprehensive operational data, the system achieves high deletion decision accuracy while minimizing information processing load and system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
An information processing apparatus communicable with an image output apparatus, comprises: a storage unit configured to store first status information concerning whether it is possible to execute a function in the image output apparatus, which is acquired from the image output apparatus; and a display unit configured to display a list of image output apparatuses as management targets based on the first status information stored in the storage unit and second status information concerning a communication state between the information processing apparatus and the image output apparatus. If a condition based on the first status information and the second status information is satisfied, the display unit displays, as a candidate to be deleted from the management targets, an image output apparatus corresponding to the first status information and the second status information.