Service Provider Apparatus Function Expansion via External Web Server

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional composite image forming apparatuses face challenges in developing and testing new applications due to the need for exclusive environments and ensuring security, making it difficult to expand their functions effectively.

Innovation Solution

A service provider apparatus with a first application that sends requests to a second application on another apparatus, allowing the service providing part to receive and fulfill service requests, thereby expanding the apparatus's functions, using a Web page or Web content processing method.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a new application is developed within the composite apparatus, then the functions of the apparatus can be expanded, but exclusive developing environments and testing environments are required, increasing device complexity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunction expansionVSAvoiddeveloping environment requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a server as an intermediary between the composite apparatus and the development/testing processes. The server provides a web-based development environment and testing environment, allowing applications to be developed and tested externally without requiring exclusive environments within the composite apparatus itself. This mediator approach resolves the contradiction by enabling function expansion while avoiding the complexity of embedded development environments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent separates the development environment, testing environment, and execution environment into distinct components. The development environment and testing environment are hosted on an external server, while the composite apparatus only needs to execute the finalized application. This segmentation allows function expansion without burdening the composite apparatus with complex development and testing infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If a new application is developed within the composite apparatus, then the functions of the apparatus can be expanded, but it is difficult to guarantee the security of the newly developed application

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunction expansionVSAvoidapplication security

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The server acts as a security intermediary by providing a controlled development and testing environment. Applications are developed and tested on the server before being deployed to the composite apparatus. This intermediary layer allows security validation to occur in a controlled environment, ensuring application security while still enabling function expansion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements preliminary testing and validation of applications on the server before deployment to the composite apparatus. By performing security checks and testing in advance on the development server, the system ensures that only secure, validated applications are executed on the composite apparatus, thereby guaranteeing application security while allowing functional expansion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If the composite apparatus functions as multiple devices by switching applications, then versatility is improved, but the apparatus requires dedicated environments for each function, increasing device complexity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemulti-function capabilityVSAvoidenvironment management

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The server provides a universal development and testing environment that can handle multiple application types and functions. Instead of requiring separate dedicated environments for each function within the composite apparatus, the universal server environment supports the development and testing of various applications, allowing the apparatus to achieve multi-functionality without proportionally increasing internal complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS10284629B2Service providing method, service provider apparatus, information processing method and apparatus and computer-readable storage medium

Publication Date: 2019.05.07 RICOH CO LTD

AI summary

A service provider apparatus is provided with a first application for executing a process related to a Web page or Web contents, and a service providing part for providing services. The first application sends a request to a second application included in another apparatus. The service providing part receives a service providing request related to the request from the second application, and provides a service depending on the service providing request, so as to expand functions of the services provided by the service provider apparatus.