Multifunction Peripheral Schedule Coordination for Automated Task Execution

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing techniques for managing schedules of tasks in information processing apparatuses, such as personal computers, are not user-friendly and require users to prepare and transmit documents in advance, which is time-consuming and inefficient, especially when tasks like printing or scanning need to be performed at specific dates and times.

Innovation Solution

A schedule coordination system that includes a multifunction peripheral and an information processing apparatus, where the multifunction peripheral acts as a task scheduler and controller, storing schedule information and executing tasks based on user-designated dates and times, and the information processing apparatus executes operations according to commands from the peripheral, eliminating the need for users to manually prepare and transmit documents in advance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If users manually prepare and transmit documents in advance for scheduled tasks, then task execution can be performed, but user workload increases and time efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetime efficiencyVSAvoiduser workload

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables self-service by allowing users to register task schedules in advance without manual document preparation. The multifunction peripheral automatically retrieves documents from the information processing apparatus at the scheduled time and executes the task, eliminating the need for users to manually prepare and transmit documents each time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary action by allowing users to register task schedules in advance. The schedule information including task type, date, and time is stored beforehand in the multifunction peripheral, enabling automatic execution without requiring users to take action at the moment of task execution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If the multifunction peripheral automatically manages task schedules, then user-friendliness improves, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser-friendlinessVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The multifunction peripheral acts as an intermediary between the user and the information processing apparatus. It receives schedule registration from the user, automatically communicates with the information processing apparatus to retrieve documents, and executes tasks according to the scheduled time, thereby simplifying the user interface while managing system complexity internally.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The multifunction peripheral performs multiple functions including schedule management, automatic document retrieval, task execution, and coordination with information processing apparatus. This multi-functionality consolidates various operations into a single device, improving user-friendliness while the internal coordination handles the complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Loss of time

If tasks are executed at predetermined times without advance document preparation, then time management improves, but coordination between devices becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetime managementVSAvoiddevice coordination

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements feedback through bidirectional communication between the multifunction peripheral and the information processing apparatus. The multifunction peripheral sends requests for documents at scheduled times, and the information processing apparatus responds by transmitting the required documents, ensuring timely task execution through coordinated feedback loops.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system maintains continuity of useful action by establishing automatic communication channels between devices. Once the schedule is registered, the system continuously monitors the scheduled time and automatically executes the document retrieval and task execution without interruption or manual intervention, ensuring seamless time management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Data Source

PatentUS11831823B2Schedule coordination system that performs predetermined process necessary for executing task, when current date and time has reached predetermined date and time of startup, and multifunction peripheral

Publication Date: 2023.11.28 KYOCERA DOCUMENT SOLUTIONS INC

AI summary

A schedule coordination system includes a multifunction peripheral and an information processing apparatus. The multifunction peripheral includes a first communication I/F, a storage device in which schedule information indicating a task and a date and time of execution is stored, and a first control device that acts as a task scheduler that decides whether a current date and time has reached a predetermined date and time of startup, on a basis of the schedule information, and performs, upon deciding that the current date and time has reached the date and time of startup, a predetermined process necessary for executing the task indicated by the schedule information, and a controller that executes the task. The information processing apparatus includes a second communication I/F and a second control device that acts as an executor that executes an operation according to a command transmitted from the task scheduler.