Scanner Control Interface for Unified Scan Settings

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing information processing systems lack the ability to appropriately perform scan processing based on various scan settings, as they do not efficiently manage and transmit setting values and mode selections to scanners.

Innovation Solution

A computer-readable recording medium and information processing apparatus that receive parameters and mode selection information from different programs, convert and transmit these to a scanner through a communication interface, enabling detailed and simplified scan settings by using a common module to handle instructions from both detailed and simplified application programs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple different programs directly transmit scan settings to the scanner, then each program can have its own specific scan settings, but the system complexity increases and management becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescan settingsVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a common program that serves as a universal interface for multiple different programs to transmit scan settings to the scanner. This common program receives parameters from various source programs (first other program, second other program) and standardizes them into a unified format for scanner communication, thereby reducing system complexity while maintaining versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The common program acts as an intermediary between different source programs and the scanner. It receives diverse scan setting parameters from multiple programs, converts them into a standardized format, and transmits them to the scanner, thus mediating the communication and simplifying the overall system architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If mode selection information is directly transmitted to the scanner, then mode selection is simple, but the scanner cannot process different parameter formats from different programs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemode selectionVSAvoidparameter compatibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The common program performs parameter conversion by receiving mode selection information in different formats from different programs and transforming them into a unified parameter format that the scanner can process. This parameter transformation maintains ease of operation for users while ensuring compatibility across different program sources.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The common program serves as a mediator that receives mode selection information from different programs, standardizes the parameter formats, and transmits them to the scanner, thereby bridging the gap between diverse input formats and the scanner's requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If each program has independent scan execution functionality, then program independence is maintained, but redundant functionality increases and maintenance becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescan execution efficiencyVSAvoidprogram redundancy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the common scan execution functionality from individual programs and places it in a separate common program. This extraction eliminates redundant scan execution code from multiple programs while maintaining their independence for setting configuration, thereby improving productivity and reducing maintenance complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The system is segmented into distinct functional modules: source programs for setting configuration and a common program for scan execution. This segmentation allows each program to focus on its specific role, reducing redundancy while maintaining overall system productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS11252303B2Recording medium storing program or program group for executing scan processing on scanner and information processing apparatus configured to communicate with scanner for executing scan processing on scanner

Publication Date: 2022.02.15 BROTHER KOGYO KK

AI summary

A non-transitory computer-readable recording medium stores computer-readable instructions, when executed by a processor of an information processing apparatus, causing the information processing apparatus to perform: receiving a parameter from a first other program different from the program; in response to receiving the parameter from the first other program, transmitting a scan execution command including the received parameter to a scanner through a communication interface of the information processing apparatus, the parameter being indicative of a setting value that is set for executing scan processing on the scanner; receiving mode selection information from a second other program different from the program and from the first other program; and in response to receiving the mode selection information from the second other program, converting the received mode selection information into a parameter, and transmitting a scan execution command including the converted parameter to the scanner through the communication interface.