Peripheral Control Program Memory Loading Without Installation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users face difficulties in installing device drivers and application programs for image reading apparatuses, especially when using computers with security restrictions that limit administrator privileges, making existing solutions ineffective for general users.

Innovation Solution

A method where the image reading apparatus is connected to the computer via a USB cable, allowing it to be recognized as a readable/writable disk drive, enabling the loading of a control program directly into the computer's memory without installing software on the hard disk, and using a management program to manage the display and operation of the control window.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a device driver and application program are installed on the hard disk drive, then the peripheral apparatus can be controlled, but the installation process becomes cumbersome and requires administrator privileges

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of useVSAvoidinstallation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control program is extracted from the hard disk installation process and loaded directly into the computer's memory from the peripheral apparatus itself. This eliminates the need for traditional installation on the hard disk drive, allowing the program to run directly from memory without requiring administrator privileges or complex installation procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

A management program acts as an intermediary between the peripheral apparatus and the computer's memory. This management program facilitates the direct loading and execution of the control program, bridging the gap between the peripheral device and the computer system without requiring traditional installation processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If administrator privileges are required for installation, then system security is maintained, but general users cannot install device drivers

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem securityVSAvoiduser accessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The installation process is extracted and replaced with a direct memory loading approach. Instead of installing to the hard disk (which requires administrator privileges), the control program is loaded directly into the computer's memory from the peripheral apparatus, bypassing the privilege restriction entirely.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The peripheral apparatus itself serves as the source for loading its control program into the computer's memory. The system performs self-service by using its own stored program to enable its operation without requiring external installation media or administrator intervention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of manufacture

If a CD-ROM is inserted into a CD-ROM drive for installation, then the device driver can be installed, but the process becomes cumbersome

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedistribution methodVSAvoidinstallation process
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The dependency on external installation media (CD-ROM) is extracted and eliminated. The control program is stored directly in the peripheral apparatus's own memory, allowing it to load itself into the computer's memory without requiring any external media or installation processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The peripheral apparatus uses its own internal storage to provide the control program directly to the computer's memory. This self-service approach eliminates the need for external CD-ROM drives or installation media, simplifying the distribution and installation process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP2271055B1Program executed in information processing apparatus to control peripheral apparatus
Publication Date: 2019.06.05 CANON DENSHI KK
  • EP2271055B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2271055B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2271055B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A control program for using a peripheral apparatus is loaded from the peripheral apparatus to the memory of an information processing apparatus. A management program manages the display form of a control object based on execution of the control program. The control object displayed on the information processing apparatus can be switched between the non-display state and the display state. For example, the management program causes the information processing apparatus to execute return from the non-display state to the display state in synchronism with the user manipulation of the peripheral apparatus.