Peripheral Device Metadata Management for Multi-PC Customization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional information processing systems cannot customize driver programs across different applications on multiple PCs, limiting user interface customization to specific devices like MFPs.
Innovation Solution
An information processing system with a peripheral device and an information processing apparatus that includes a display for setting parameters, a process execution portion, storage for user-specific data, and a metadata return portion, along with an authentication and metadata request mechanism to control what setting items are displayed based on user identification, allowing for customized operation screens across multiple PCs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional driver programs are customized for specific devices like MFPs, then device-specific operation screens can be tailored to user preferences, but the same customization cannot be applied across different applications on multiple PCs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a centralized metadata management system stored on the peripheral device that serves multiple applications and PCs universally. The metadata database contains setting item information that can be retrieved and applied by any application program across different PCs, enabling one peripheral device to provide customization services to multiple clients simultaneously, thus achieving multi-functionality and universality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces metadata as an intermediary layer between the peripheral device and multiple application programs. Instead of each application directly managing its own settings, all customization requests are mediated through the centralized metadata database on the peripheral device. This intermediary enables consistent customization across different applications while simplifying the overall system architecture
2Reliability
If user-specific metadata is stored on the peripheral device, then consistent settings can be retrieved across multiple PCs, but additional authentication and metadata management mechanisms are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary authentication of users before allowing them to access or modify metadata. The authentication mechanism is established in advance, and user identities are verified before retrieving or storing setting preferences. This preliminary action ensures that only authorized users can access their specific metadata, maintaining reliability while managing the added complexity through structured access control
3Ease of operation
If all setting items are displayed in operation screens, then users have access to all functions, but the interface becomes cluttered and less efficient for common tasks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by dynamically customizing operation screens based on user preferences stored in metadata. Frequently used setting items are displayed prominently or by default, while less commonly used items can be hidden or placed in secondary menus. This allows the interface to have different qualities in different regions or contexts, improving ease of operation for common tasks while maintaining access to all functions when needed
Data Source
AI summary
An information processing system includes a peripheral device at least having a printer function and an information processing apparatus controlling the peripheral device. The peripheral device includes: a display portion; a process execution portion to execute prescribed processing; a storage portion to store user-specific data; and a metadata return portion to refer to the user-specific data in response to reception of a metadata request from the information processing apparatus and to extract and return metadata associated with user identification information included in the received metadata request. The information processing apparatus includes: a first authentication portion to authenticate a user; an execution portion to execute an execution application selected from a plurality of application programs; a metadata request portion to transmit a metadata request; and a reference setting portion to set whether to display a plurality of execution setting items that can be set in the execution application program.