Setting Value Conversion for Cross-Version Device Compatibility

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing technologies face challenges in efficiently converting and managing setting values for the same setting item across different electronic apparatuses, particularly when the values have different meanings or complex structures, leading to inefficient and complicated setting work.

Innovation Solution

An information processing apparatus and method that includes a reception unit, search unit, conversion unit, and classification unit to receive, search, and convert setting values and their ranges, and classify differences between versions, enabling automatic determination of conversion types.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If setting values are manually converted and managed for different electronic apparatuses, then compatibility can be achieved, but the setting work becomes inefficient and complicated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesetting work efficiencyVSAvoidconversion management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs automatic conversion of setting values between different electronic apparatuses without requiring manual intervention. The conversion unit automatically identifies the source and target apparatus types, retrieves appropriate conversion rules, and executes the conversion process, allowing the system to serve itself rather than requiring operator involvement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces a conversion unit that acts as an intermediary between setting value management for different apparatus types. This conversion unit mediates the transformation by applying conversion rules stored in storage, enabling seamless translation of setting values between apparatuses with different value structures without direct manual conversion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If conversion rules are stored for all possible apparatus combinations, then complete coverage is achieved, but storage requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveapparatus compatibility coverageVSAvoidstorage data volume

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The conversion rules stored in the storage unit are designed to be universally applicable across multiple apparatus types and combinations. Rather than storing separate rules for each specific apparatus pair, the system uses generalized conversion rules that can handle multiple source and target apparatus types, reducing the total number of rules required while maintaining broad compatibility coverage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system manages conversion rules as parameterized data structures that can adapt to different apparatus combinations through parameter substitution. By storing conversion rules with placeholder parameters rather than hardcoding specific apparatus pairs, the system achieves versatile coverage with compact storage, allowing the same rule template to serve multiple apparatus combinations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If automatic conversion is implemented, then setting work is simplified, but handling complex non-proportional relationships becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesetting value conversion easeVSAvoidcomplex structure handling capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The conversion process is segmented into distinct operational phases: identification of source and target apparatus types, retrieval of applicable conversion rules, execution of conversion operations, and validation of results. By dividing the complex conversion task into manageable segments, the system can handle non-proportional relationships through a series of simpler, rule-based transformations rather than requiring complex mathematical modeling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary validation and error checking before finalizing conversions to prevent incorrect handling of complex relationships. By anticipating potential issues with non-proportional conversions and implementing preventive measures in advance, the system maintains ease of operation while safely handling complex value structures that don't follow simple proportional relationships.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Data Source

PatentUS20250362933A1Information processing apparatus, information processing method, and non-transitory computer-readable recording medium

Publication Date: 2025.11.27 KYOCERA DOCUMENT SOLUTIONS INC

AI summary

An information processing apparatus includes a reception unit, a search unit, a conversion unit, a classification unit, and an output unit. The reception unit receives an initial value of each setting item for an electronic apparatus, a range of setting values for each setting item, apparatus information indicating whether or not the setting values are compatible with the electronic apparatus, and key data that associates the setting values with a data type. The search unit searches for the data type, definitions of parameters in the data type, and descriptions of the parameters. The conversion unit converts the initial value and the range of the setting values into those in the definitions of the parameters in the data type. The classification unit classifies categories representing a difference between setting item versions. The output unit outputs capability information for automatically determining a conversion type.