MFP Application Generation from Usage Logs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Multifunction peripherals (MFPs) often have capabilities that are underutilized due to users only frequently employing a subset of their functions, leading to inefficient device usage, as different departments may require distinct document processing sequences, and existing systems fail to streamline these interactions effectively.
Innovation Solution
A cloud-based system monitors and logs document processing instruction sequences from MFPs, generating and installing customized applications and touchscreen icons to provide one-touch access to frequently used operations, allowing administrators to add new functionalities and manage application visibility based on usage frequency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If MFPs provide comprehensive document processing capabilities, then device functionality and versatility are improved, but user interaction complexity increases as users must navigate multiple menus and options to access frequently used functions
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments device functions into distinct applications grouped by department or user role. Each application represents a specific function set (e.g., printing, scanning, faxing) and is presented as a separate icon on the touchscreen, allowing users to access frequently used functions through simple icon selection rather than navigating complex menus.
Solution Approach 2:
The user interface dynamically adapts based on user role, department, and usage patterns. The system automatically generates customized home screens with different icon arrangements and available applications for different users, making the interface flexible and responsive to individual needs rather than static and uniform.
2Adaptability or versatility
If MFPs are configured with extensive hardware and software options, then device capability is improved, but device complexity increases making it difficult to manage and customize
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts and isolates specific device capabilities into separate, self-contained applications. Each application is a discrete software module that can be independently installed, updated, and managed, separating the complexity of individual functions from the overall device configuration and making it easier to manage.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides automated configuration and customization without requiring extensive manual setup. The controller automatically monitors usage patterns, generates customized applications, and installs them on the device without user intervention, reducing the burden on administrators and end users.
3Productivity
If MFPs collect and analyze usage data to generate customized applications, then user interaction efficiency is improved, but data processing and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary data collection and analysis in the cloud before generating customized applications. Usage data is aggregated and processed externally, allowing the MFP to receive pre-computed application configurations without performing complex real-time analysis on the device, thus improving efficiency while limiting on-device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
A cloud-based server acts as an intermediary between the MFP and the data processing systems. The server handles data collection, analysis, and application generation remotely, separating the data processing complexity from the device itself and allowing the MFP to focus on execution without managing complex analytical systems.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method provides for monitoring of popular multifunction peripheral instruction sequences for generation and installation of custom applications. The MFP has a user interface, including a display, and receives a sequence of document processing instruction sequences from one or more users. The processor generates log data corresponding to a logging of each received document processing instruction sequence. The processor sends generated log data to an associated server via a network interface. The network interface receives an application generated by the associated server in accordance with generated log data via the network interface. The processor then installs a received application on the multifunction peripheral along with control indicia on the display. The processor performs a sequence of document processing instructions specified by the received application upon a user selection of the control indicia.