Information Processing Device for Automated MFP Cloud Registration

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Solution Overview

Problem

The challenge of associating cloud services with multifunction peripherals (MFPs) is cumbersome and time-consuming, requiring manual effort and preparation.

Innovation Solution

An information processing device and system that facilitates easy association of cloud services with MFPs by automating the installation and configuration process, including setup applications and batch settings, enabling remote management and control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual association of cloud service with appliance is performed, then configuration can be customized, but time and effort for preparation increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of associationVSAvoidpreparation time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by having the appliance automatically transmit its identification information to the cloud service provider before the user needs to use the service. This pre-establishes the association between the appliance and cloud service, eliminating the need for manual configuration and reducing preparation time while maintaining customized configuration capabilities through automatic setting of appropriate parameters.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Loss of time

If automatic association of cloud service with appliance is implemented, then preparation time is reduced, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepreparation timeVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies self-service by enabling the appliance to automatically transmit its identification information and configure its own association with the cloud service without requiring user intervention. The appliance autonomously performs the registration process, reducing preparation time while the complexity is managed through automated protocols rather than manual configuration steps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If manual configuration is performed, then configuration accuracy can be controlled, but operation simplicity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperation simplicityVSAvoidconfiguration accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies feedback by having the cloud service provider automatically receive and process the appliance's identification information, then return appropriate configuration parameters and association confirmation. This automated feedback loop ensures configuration accuracy is maintained while dramatically simplifying the user operation to merely initiating the automatic association process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3820120B1Information processing device, information processing system, and information processing method
Publication Date: 2025.08.27 RICOH CO LTD
  • EP3820120B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3820120B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3820120B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An information processing device to be a subject of appliance registration in a management server (20, 30, 40) includes a first acquirer (102) configured to acquire identification information for identifying the information processing device; an appliance registration requester (103) configured to transmit an appliance registration request to the management server, the appliance registration request being for the appliance registration in the management server (20, 30, 40) to associate the identification information acquired by the first acquirer (102) with tenant information for identifying a tenant; and a second acquirer (107) configured to acquire a setting value for use in processing an application to be installed in the information processing device; and a writer (109) configured to write, to a storage (914), a setting value for the application acquired by the second acquirer (107).