Information Processing Apparatus Network Connectivity Icon Display
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional information processing apparatuses do not effectively inform users about network connectivity at startup, requiring users to launch connection programs to determine if they are connected to a network.
Innovation Solution
An information processing apparatus that allows users to select and launch application programs upon startup, with a connection point data receiving mechanism that indicates network availability by changing the display form of relevant application icons, such as through color changes, animation, or highlighting, to distinguish connected applications from others.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If the apparatus performs access point searching when the connection program is launched, then the user can determine network connectivity, but the user does not recognize whether the apparatus is connectable to the network unless they manually launch the connection program
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs access point searching and network connectivity checks automatically when the apparatus is started up, before the user needs to use any application. This preliminary action ensures that connectivity information is obtained in advance, eliminating the need for users to manually launch connection programs to check network availability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides visual feedback by displaying icons with different display forms (emphasized or non-emphasized) that indicate whether the apparatus is connectable to the network. This feedback mechanism informs users about network connectivity status without requiring manual checking, resolving the contradiction between information availability and ease of operation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the system displays multiple application program icons, then the user can select from various applications, but the user cannot easily identify which applications can connect to the network
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies different display qualities to different icons based on their network connectivity status. Icons of applications that can connect to the network are displayed in an emphasized form (e.g., highlighted, colored, or animated), while other icons are displayed in a non-emphasized form. This local differentiation makes it easy for users to identify which applications have network connectivity capability among multiple applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses color changes or visual emphasis to indicate network connectivity status of application icons. By changing the display form (color, brightness, animation) of icons based on connectivity status, the system enables users to quickly distinguish between applications that can connect to the network and those that cannot, without adding complexity to the application selection interface.
3Loss of information
If the apparatus automatically searches for access points at startup, then network availability information is provided, but additional processing and time are required during startup
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs a partial search for access points at startup - enough to determine connectivity status for displaying icons, but not necessarily to establish full network connections for all applications. This partial action provides the necessary network availability information while minimizing the time consumed during startup, balancing information provision with startup speed.
Data Source
AI summary
When an information processing apparatus is started, reception of data indicative of presence of a connection point apparatus is attempted. A plurality of objects respectively corresponding to a plurality of application programs is displayed on a display device, and upon reception of an operation performed by a user, an application program corresponding to one of the objects selected by the operation performed by the user is launched. When the data is received, a display form of an object, which relates to a connection application program including a program for executing a procedural step of connecting to the connection point apparatus, is changed.