Application Store Server Device Filtering for MFP Download Compatibility

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Solution Overview

Problem

The application explaining page does not consider device information of each client device, leading to situations where downloads are not allowed, thereby deteriorating user convenience.

Innovation Solution

An information processing system that includes an MFP, an application store server, and an apparatus management server, where the application store server provides a Web page to display a list of applications available to the MFP, and the apparatus management server manages apparatus specifying information to uniquely specify the MFP, ensuring that only applicable applications are displayed and downloadable.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If application explaining pages are provided without considering device information, then the system complexity is reduced and ease of operation is improved, but download compatibility is deteriorated and user convenience is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoiddownload compatibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The server performs preliminary actions by obtaining device information before providing the application explaining page, specifies compatible applications based on device capabilities, and prepares the customized page in advance. This preliminary specification of applications according to device information prevents download compatibility issues while maintaining ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If device information is considered when providing application explaining pages, then download compatibility is improved, but system complexity and information processing requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedownload compatibilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The server implements feedback by obtaining device information from the client device, using this information to specify compatible applications, and providing the customized application explaining page back to the device. This feedback loop ensures download compatibility while managing system complexity through automated information processing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Quantity of substance

If all applications are displayed without device-specific filtering, then information completeness is improved, but information accuracy and relevance are deteriorated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation completenessVSAvoidinformation accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The server applies local quality by customizing the application explaining page according to specific device characteristics. Instead of providing uniform information to all devices, the server tailors the application list to match each device's capabilities, ensuring information accuracy and relevance while maintaining completeness of compatible applications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3213197B1Information processing system, information processing device, and information processing method
Publication Date: 2021.06.23 RICOH CO LTD
  • EP3213197B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3213197B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3213197B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

An information processing system includes an obtaining unit, a first specifying unit, and a display controlling unit. The obtaining unit obtains apparatus specifying information for uniquely specifying an apparatus. The first specifying unit specifies application identifying information associated with the apparatus specifying information obtained by the obtaining unit, based on first correspondence information in which each piece of apparatus specifying information is associated with application identifying information for identifying an application available to the apparatus specified according to the apparatus specifying information. The display controlling unit performs control to display an application list screen to provide the application identified according to the application identifying information specified by the first specifying unit on the apparatus specified according to the apparatus specifying information obtained by the obtaining unit.