Multifunction Peripheral Function Routing via Unified Interface

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users face a burden when they need to operate a multifunction peripheral that lacks a desired function, as they must navigate an unfamiliar user interface to access functions installed in another peripheral.

Innovation Solution

An information processing system that allows users to select and execute functions from either the first multifunction peripheral or a second peripheral, where the selected function is installed, by accepting operations and instructing the appropriate peripheral to perform the function, thus enabling seamless functionality across devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the user operates a multifunction peripheral that has the desired function installed, then the function can be executed, but the user interface may be unfamiliar to the user causing operational burden

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunction availabilityVSAvoiduser interface familiarity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a selection interface that acts as an intermediary between the user and multiple multifunction peripherals. This interface allows users to select desired functions without needing to physically operate the peripheral that has the function installed. The selection interface mediates the interaction by receiving user input and routing it to the appropriate peripheral, thus resolving the contradiction between function availability and interface familiarity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a universal selection interface that can access and control functions across multiple different multifunction peripherals. This single interface provides multi-functionality by allowing users to select from various functions installed on different peripherals without needing to learn multiple different interfaces. The universal interface consolidates control over diverse functions into one familiar interaction point.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If the user operates the multifunction peripheral that has the desired function, then the function executes correctly, but the user must navigate an unfamiliar interface which increases operational complexity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunction executionVSAvoidinterface navigation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The selection interface serves as a mediator that simplifies the interaction between the user and the complex system of multiple peripherals. It presents a streamlined interface for selecting functions while handling the complexity of routing to the correct peripheral in the background. This mediator approach maintains reliable function execution while reducing the apparent device complexity for the user.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the control interface from the execution peripheral. The selection interface is separated from the peripheral that actually executes the function, allowing the interface to be simplified and optimized for user interaction while the peripheral maintains its specialized functionality. This segmentation enables reliable execution while reducing interface navigation complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of operation

If the system allows selection of functions from multiple peripherals, then user convenience is improved, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser convenienceVSAvoidsystem architecture

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The selection interface is designed as a universal control point that can access functions across multiple peripherals without requiring separate control mechanisms for each peripheral. This universal approach improves user convenience by providing a single place to select any function, while the system manages the underlying complexity through centralized coordination rather than distributed complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the control functions for multiple peripherals into a single selection interface. Instead of having separate interfaces for each peripheral, the system combines access to all functions into one unified interface. This merging improves ease of operation by consolidating controls, while the system architecture handles the coordination complexity through centralized management logic.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS20240340383A1Information processing system, multifunction peripheral cooperation method, and non-transitory computer-readable medium

Publication Date: 2024.10.10 SHARP KK

AI summary

An information processing system includes an acceptor that accepts an operation of selecting an execution function from a first function installed in a first multifunction peripheral and a second function not installed in the first multifunction peripheral, and a processing controller that executes the execution function in the first multifunction peripheral when the execution function is the first function, and instructs a second multifunction peripheral in which the second function is installed to execute the execution function when the execution function is the second function.