Initial Screen Display Control for Administrator and User Preferences

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing information processing apparatuses fail to effectively balance user customization and administrator-set defaults, leading to a situation where the initial screen intended by the administrator is not displayed when user-specific settings are prioritized, resulting in decreased usability and convenience.

Innovation Solution

The apparatus includes a first setting unit for setting a common initial screen by an administrator, a second setting unit for setting user-specific initial screens, and a third setting unit to determine whether to display user-specific or common initial screens, allowing the administrator's screen to be prioritized when desired.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the information processing apparatus prioritizes displaying the user-specific initial screen, then the convenience of the customization function is improved, but the administrator's intended initial screen cannot be displayed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconvenience of customization functionVSAvoiddisplay of administrator's intended initial screen

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically switches between displaying user-specific initial screens and administrator-set common initial screens based on authentication results. After successful authentication, the system determines whether to display the user's customized initial screen or the common initial screen set by the administrator, making the display behavior adaptive rather than fixed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies different display rules to different user contexts. For authenticated users, the system can display user-specific customized screens, while for unauthenticated users or when customization is disabled, the common administrator-set screen is displayed. This allows different parts of the user experience to have different quality characteristics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If the information processing apparatus always displays the administrator-set common initial screen, then the administrator's control is improved, but the usability and convenience are deteriorated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadministrator's controlVSAvoidusability and convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides dynamic control over initial screen display based on authentication status and administrator settings. The administrator can configure whether user-specific customization is enabled, and the system adapts its behavior accordingly, switching between displaying common screens and user-specific screens.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system segments the initial screen display function into two distinct modes: displaying the common administrator-set initial screen and displaying user-specific customized initial screens. This segmentation allows the administrator's control and user convenience to operate in different contexts without conflict.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If the information processing apparatus enables user customization of initial screens, then user preferences are accommodated, but the administrator's intended screen display cannot be ensured

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser preference accommodationVSAvoidguarantee of administrator's screen display

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system introduces an intermediary authentication mechanism that mediates between administrator control and user customization. Based on authentication results and administrator-configured policies, the system determines which initial screen to display, acting as a mediator that reconciles the conflicting requirements of administrator control and user preference.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the display parameter (which initial screen to show) based on authentication status and administrator settings. When customization is enabled and authentication succeeds, the system switches to displaying user-specific screens; otherwise, it displays the common administrator-set screen, thereby accommodating user preferences while preserving administrator control under different conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS9961233B2Information processing apparatus, method for controlling information processing apparatus, and storage medium to display an initial screen

Publication Date: 2018.05.01 CANON KK

AI summary

An information processing apparatus includes first, second, and third setting units, and a display unit. The first setting unit sets a common initial screen according to an operation performed by a user having an administrator authority. The second setting unit sets an initial screen for each user according to an operation performed by each user. The third setting unit sets whether to display the initial screen for each user, according to an operation performed by the administrator authority user. Where the initial screen for each user is to be displayed, the display unit displays the initial screen set by the second setting unit when the information processing apparatus starts to be used. Where the initial screen for each user is not to be displayed, the display unit displays the initial screen set by the first setting unit when the information processing apparatus starts to be used.