Layered Image Formation Device Platform for Reducing Customization Complexity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing image formation devices face high development costs due to the complexity of customizing and expanding their platforms to meet various user requests, as seen in Patent Literature 1, where handling time and customization requirements increase development expenses.

Innovation Solution

The image formation device incorporates a device control platform that manages hardware resources, a standard application execution unit, and an expanded application platform, allowing for the utilization of standard and expanded application functions, enabling easy customization and reduced development costs through a layered platform structure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a platform is formed with application service, common system service and general purpose OS to enable application execution, then application functionality is improved, but handling time for customization increases and development cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveapplication functionalityVSAvoidcustomization complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system is divided into distinct layers: device control platform (lower layer) and application platform (upper layer). The device control platform manages hardware resources and provides basic services, while the application platform executes applications and provides higher-level services. This segmentation allows independent development and customization of each layer, reducing overall customization complexity while maintaining functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The device control platform provides universal hardware resource management and common services that can be utilized by multiple different applications. This multi-functionality allows a single platform configuration to support various applications without requiring separate customization for each application, thereby reducing handling time and development cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If common system service and application service are integrated to form a platform, then application execution capability is improved, but development cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveapplication execution capabilityVSAvoiddevelopment cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The system separates device control platform services from application platform services into distinct functional modules. The device control platform handles hardware resource management, while the application platform handles application execution. This segmentation allows teams to develop and maintain each layer independently, reducing overall development cost while maintaining execution capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The device control platform acts as an intermediary layer between hardware resources and applications. It provides standardized interfaces and services that applications can utilize without directly accessing hardware, simplifying application development and reducing the complexity and cost of integrating applications with hardware resources.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If customization is performed to cope with various users' requests, then user requirements fulfillment is improved, but handling time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser requirements fulfillmentVSAvoidhandling time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The layered architecture allows customization to be performed at different levels independently. Common user requirements can be fulfilled through configuration of the application platform, while more specialized requirements can be addressed at the device control platform level. This segmentation enables parallel development and faster response to user requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The device control platform provides universal services and standardized interfaces that can be applied across multiple applications and user scenarios. This universality allows common customization needs to be addressed through shared components and configurations, significantly reducing the handling time required to fulfill user requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS9894230B2Image formation device which can be expanded and image forming method for expanding an image formation device

Publication Date: 2018.02.13 KYOCERA DOCUMENT SOLUTIONS INC

AI summary

Provided is an image formation device with which expanded is easy and the development cost can be reduced. A device control platform manages hardware resource in an operating system. A standard application service interface unit provides an interface for utilizing a standard application function from outside of a standard application execution unit. A platform service interface unit provides an interface for utilizing hardware resource from the outside of the device control platform. A standard function service enables the use of the standard application functions corresponding to the standard application service interface unit. An expanded function service enables the use of the hardware resource corresponding to the platform service interface unit. An expanded application management unit manages and executes expanded applications capable of calling the standard function service and the expanded function service.