Portable Terminal Auto-Configures Cloud Service Connections

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional information processing systems require manual and cumbersome operations for users to connect their information processing devices to cloud services, involving manual entry of destination addresses and authentication information, which is inefficient and bothersome, especially in shared office environments where multiple users and cloud services are involved.

Innovation Solution

An information processing system that enables direct communication between portable information terminals and information processing devices, using short-distance wireless communication to automatically configure cloud service connections and authenticate users, eliminating the need for manual entry of destination and authentication information.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual entry of destination addresses and authentication information is used to connect information processing devices to cloud services, then connection can be established, but user operability deteriorates and operation becomes cumbersome

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection establishmentVSAvoiduser operability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The portable information terminal performs preliminary actions by automatically obtaining destination address information and authentication information from the cloud service application, and transmits these to the information processing device before the connection is needed, eliminating manual entry requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The portable information terminal acts as an intermediary that bridges the cloud service application and the information processing device, automatically extracting and transmitting necessary connection parameters and authentication data between them

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple users and cloud services are involved in shared office environments, then service versatility improves, but operation complexity increases and becomes more bothersome

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice versatilityVSAvoidoperation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The portable information terminal provides universal functionality by supporting multiple cloud service applications simultaneously and automatically managing connection parameters for different users and services, making the system adaptable to diverse office environments without increasing operational complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Measurement precision

If manual configuration of cloud service connections is required, then connection accuracy can be controlled, but time consumption increases and efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection accuracyVSAvoidtime consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The portable information terminal performs self-service by automatically obtaining destination address information and authentication information from the cloud service application without user intervention, and automatically transmits these to the information processing device, maintaining connection accuracy while eliminating time-consuming manual operations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This solution enhances user operability by allowing seamless and automatic connection to cloud services, reducing user burden and improving efficiency in data upload and download processes without the need for manual operation.

Implementation Method 1

This type of portable information terminal includes a function allowing a short distance wireless communication with a specific device with NFC (Near Field Communication)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectNear Field Communication (NFC): Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP2629199B1Information processing system, portable information terminal, information processing device, and non-transitory computer readable recording medium
Publication Date: 2020.03.25 KONICA MINOLTA BUSINESS TECH INC
  • EP2629199B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2629199B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2629199B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An information processing system (1) comprises an information processing device (2) and a portable information terminal (3) that allow communication therebetween. The portable information terminal (3) includes: an application detection part (43) for detecting a running application; a management part (41) for detecting a cloud service to which the application connects and managing the application and the cloud service; a destination information generation part (44) for generating destination information (71) required for the information processing device (2) to use the cloud service; and a transmission part (46) for sending the destination information (71) to the information processing device (2). The information processing device (2) includes: a destination setting part (64) for automatically configuring the destination to connect to the cloud service in accordance with the destination information (71); and a data processing part (65) for connecting to the cloud service to send and receive data.