Setting Data Import-Export Using Unicode to Prevent Character Garbling

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional image forming apparatuses face issues with character garbling when transferring setting data due to differences in character codes, leading to incorrect display of characters during import and export operations.

Innovation Solution

A data processing apparatus and method that includes a converting unit to convert Unicode data into the character code of the target apparatus, and vice versa, ensuring accurate import and export of setting data by handling character code differences.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If setting data is transferred between image forming apparatuses with different character codes, then the import-export function enables data transfer, but character garbling occurs and characters are not displayed correctly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimport-export functionVSAvoidcharacter display accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces Unicode as an intermediary character encoding format between the export apparatus and import apparatus. When setting data is exported, it is converted to Unicode format, which then serves as a universal intermediary that can be correctly interpreted by any import apparatus regardless of its native character code, thereby preventing character garbling while maintaining import-export functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the character encoding parameter from apparatus-specific codes (like Shift-JIS, EUC-JP) to a universal Unicode parameter. This parameter transformation ensures that character data maintains its integrity across different apparatuses with different character code configurations, resolving the display accuracy issue while preserving data transfer capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If character code conversion is performed to handle differences among apparatuses, then character display accuracy is improved, but data processing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecharacter display accuracyVSAvoiddata processing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent adopts Unicode as a universal character encoding standard that can represent characters from multiple languages and scripts. This universal approach eliminates the need for apparatus-specific conversion logic, as Unicode serves all character code requirements, thereby reducing processing complexity while maintaining high display accuracy across different apparatuses

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS9237251B2Data processing apparatus that enables import/export of setting value, control method therefor, and storage medium storing control program therefor

Publication Date: 2016.01.12 CANON KK

AI summary

A data processing apparatus that is capable of reducing the garbling of characters caused by the difference among the character codes when setting data are transferred to another apparatus by the import-export function. A storage unit stores setting data for the data processing apparatus. A receiving unit receives an instruction for exporting the setting data stored in the storage unit. A converting unit converts Unicode data included in the setting data into character code data of language, which is set to the data processing apparatus. An export unit exports the character code data converted by the converting unit and the Unicode data.