Information Processing System Application Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image forming apparatuses require significant labor and development efforts to add or modify applications for executing sequences of processes, such as scan delivery services, due to the need for installing and updating applications directly on the devices.
Innovation Solution
An information processing system that includes a program storage for storing programs for various functions, an application information storage for sequence-related information, an accepter for processing requests, and a process executer to execute sequences of processes using electronic data based on stored information, allowing for the execution of processes without direct application development on the device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If applications are installed and updated directly on image forming apparatuses to add or modify sequence execution capabilities, then the functionality and versatility of the system is improved, but the device complexity and development labor increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the application installation and update functionality from the image forming apparatus itself and relocates it to an external server. The server now manages application packages, handles installations, and performs updates remotely. This extraction reduces the complexity and development labor required on the device side while maintaining the ability to add and modify sequence execution capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a server as an intermediary between the user and the image forming apparatus for application management. This intermediary handles application packaging, installation, and updates, eliminating the need for direct manual intervention on the device. The server mediates the complex processes of application deployment, reducing the burden on device developers and simplifying the overall system architecture.
2Reliability
If applications are manually installed and updated on each device, then precise control over application deployment is achieved, but the time and labor required for maintenance increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by having the server prepare and package applications in advance with all necessary installation information and dependencies. Application packages are pre-configured with metadata describing installation requirements, enabling automated deployment without manual intervention. This preliminary preparation significantly reduces maintenance time while ensuring reliable and consistent installation across multiple devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service through automated application installation and update processes. The server automatically manages application deployment, installation, and updates on target devices without requiring manual intervention. This self-service capability maintains precise control over application deployment while dramatically reducing the time and labor required for maintenance activities.
3Ease of operation
If applications are updated on individual devices independently, then device autonomy is maintained, but system-wide consistency and coordination are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal application management system where a single server handles application deployment across multiple devices. The server provides multi-functional capabilities including application packaging, installation management, update coordination, and version control. This universal approach ensures system-wide consistency while allowing individual devices to maintain operational autonomy through standardized interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the server monitors installation status, device compatibility, and update progress across the network. This feedback enables the server to coordinate updates systematically, ensuring system-wide consistency. The server can adjust deployment strategies based on device responses, maintaining both autonomy and consistency through continuous communication and coordination.
Data Source
AI summary
An information processing system includes a storage storing a first program for providing a function and a second program for executing a process for implementing the function; a storage storing, for each application for executing a sequence of processes, identification information identifying the application and information relating to the sequence of processes, the sequence-related information defining the second program for executing the process included in the sequence of processes; a unit for accepting a request from a device coupled to the system, the request including the identification information and electronic data-related information; and a process executer configured to execute the sequence of processes using electronic data based on the information included in the request, as the first program, which corresponds to the second program defined in the sequence-related information associated with the identification information included in the request, requests the second program to execute the predetermined process.