Locking Critical Settings to Prevent Software Inoperability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Software determined to be operable after installation may become inoperable due to changes in settings, leading to unforeseen issues with application program functionality in information processing apparatuses.

Innovation Solution

An information processing apparatus with a processor that locks and makes unchangeable the settings required for running software, allowing temporary changes under user request, but subsequently reverts to the original settings to ensure the application program's operability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If settings are made changeable to allow user flexibility, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates because the application program may become inoperable due to setting changes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser flexibilityVSAvoidapplication program operability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary identification of settings required for application program operation before the program is executed. These settings are then locked to prevent changes that would compromise operability, while allowing users to modify other non-critical settings.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different properties to different settings: critical settings required for application operation are made unchangeable (locked), while non-critical settings remain changeable. This selective approach allows user flexibility in areas that don't affect operability while protecting critical functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If settings are made unchangeable to ensure application program operability, then reliability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to reduced user flexibility

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveapplication program operabilityVSAvoiduser flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system distinguishes between different types of settings and applies different constraints: settings identified as required for application operation are locked, while other settings remain freely modifiable. This localized application of constraints maintains reliability without unnecessarily limiting user flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system identifies and locks only those settings that are preliminarily determined to be required for application program operation, rather than locking all settings globally. This selective preliminary action preserves user flexibility for non-critical settings while ensuring reliability for critical ones.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS11228693B2Information processing apparatus and non-transitory computer readable medium

Publication Date: 2022.01.18 FUJIFILM BUSINESS INNOVATION CORP

AI summary

An information processing apparatus includes a memory and a processor configured to cause one or more settings to be unchangeable, the one or more settings being required for running software to be installed onto the information processing apparatus, the software having been determined to be operable after installed.