Unified Application Configuration Interface for Image Forming Apparatus

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Solution Overview

Problem

In multifunction peripherals, setting information for various applications must be configured individually through application-specific APIs, requiring developers to customize applications, which is time-consuming and inefficient.

Innovation Solution

An image forming apparatus with a storage unit and registration unit that allows external application information to be registered without involving application-specific APIs, using a management table to store identification and usage information for multiple applications, enabling unified setting configuration across multiple applications.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If setting information is input via application-specific APIs, then each application can be configured individually, but developers must customize applications to conform to respective APIs which increases development time and effort

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesetting configurationVSAvoiddevelopment time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal setting input interface that can configure multiple different applications through a single standardized API. Instead of requiring separate customization for each application's specific API, the system provides a common configuration mechanism that works across diverse applications, eliminating the need for application-specific development work.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary configuration mechanism that sits between the user and the various application-specific APIs. This intermediary layer translates unified setting inputs into application-specific configurations automatically, serving as a mediator that eliminates the need for developers to directly interact with multiple different APIs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Manufacturing precision

If application-specific APIs are used for setting input, then precise application configuration is achieved, but the system complexity increases due to multiple different APIs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconfiguration precisionVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces multiple application-specific APIs with a single universal configuration interface that maintains the ability to precisely configure different applications. This unified interface reduces system complexity by consolidating multiple API specifications into one standardized mechanism while preserving configuration precision through intelligent translation to application-specific parameters.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges multiple separate application-specific configuration APIs into a single unified configuration interface. By combining these previously separate functions into one integrated system, the patent reduces the overall complexity of the API landscape while maintaining the ability to precisely configure each application through the unified interface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If developers customize applications for each API, then application compatibility is improved, but the time required for application development and maintenance increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveapplication compatibilityVSAvoiddevelopment time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary configuration system that automatically handles the adaptation between unified settings and application-specific requirements. This intermediary layer provides application compatibility without requiring developers to manually customize each application for different APIs, as the system automatically translates and adapts the configurations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables the system to automatically adapt configurations to different applications without requiring developer intervention. The configuration mechanism serves itself by automatically translating unified settings into application-specific formats, eliminating the need for manual customization work and reducing development and maintenance time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS8937738B2Image forming apparatus for setting information about each application can be input without involving an API specific to the application

Publication Date: 2015.01.20 CANON KK

AI summary

An image forming apparatus configured to allow an application to be executed includes a reception unit configured to receive setting information to be used in operation of the application, and a registration unit configured to register setting information in a managing area where a plurality of pieces of the setting information are collectively managed, and a transmission unit to transmit the setting information being associated with the registered application identification information.