Monitoring Apparatus License Version Comparison Update

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing monitoring apparatuses lack the ability to perform software updates based on the usage type, leading to potential disruptions in service due to automatic updates without user agreement, especially when changes to the End-User License Agreement (EULA) occur.

Innovation Solution

The monitoring apparatus compares the version of the license agreement related to updates with the current version linked to the usage format. If both versions match, the apparatus executes the software update automatically, ensuring that updates align with the user's agreed-upon terms.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If automatic software updates are performed regardless of EULA changes, then update efficiency is improved, but user agreement to license terms is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveupdate efficiencyVSAvoiduser agreement compliance
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by differentiating update behavior based on the specific usage format. The system checks whether EULA changes affect the current usage format (proxy function or polling function) and applies different update strategies accordingly. For usage formats not affected by EULA changes, automatic updates are performed; for usage formats affected by EULA changes, user agreement is required. This localized differentiation resolves the contradiction by maintaining update efficiency for unaffected formats while ensuring compliance for affected formats.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If software updates require user agreement for all EULA changes, then user compliance is improved, but service continuity is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser complianceVSAvoidservice continuity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the update process into two distinct paths based on usage format: one path for usage formats not affected by EULA changes (allowing automatic updates for service continuity) and another path for usage formats affected by EULA changes (requiring user agreement for compliance). This segmentation allows the system to maintain service continuity for the majority of cases while ensuring compliance where necessary, resolving the contradiction between user compliance and service continuity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Device complexity

If the monitoring apparatus uses a unified update policy for all usage formats, then system simplicity is improved, but adaptability to different usage types is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem simplicityVSAvoidusage format adaptability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamics by making the update policy adaptive rather than static. The system dynamically determines the appropriate update strategy based on the current usage format and whether EULA changes affect that format. The update policy transitions from a unified static approach to a dynamic approach that automatically adjusts behavior based on usage context, resolving the contradiction between system simplicity and usage format adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS12321742B2Monitoring apparatus, control method for monitoring apparatus, and storage medium
Publication Date: 2025.06.03 CANON KK
  • US12321742B2 patent drawing
  • US12321742B2 patent drawing
  • US12321742B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A monitoring apparatus configured to monitor a network device that is a management target of a device management service, wherein software is executed that operates in different operation modes according to a usage format, compares a version of a license agreement related to the update and linked to the current usage format for the monitoring apparatus with the current version of the license agreement in the case in which an update related to the software is necessary, and in the case in which the versions are the same, performs the update related to the software.