Unified Job Program Storage for Multifunction Peripheral Settings

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing multifunction peripherals with multiple operation modes face challenges in improving operability, particularly in invoking and managing setting details across different modes, which affects user experience and efficiency.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a setter, display, first display controller, storage, invoker, and setting controller in an information processor allows users to set and invoke operating conditions across various operation modes, enabling the display of setting information and storing details for later use, with optional second display controllers and operation receptors for enhanced functionality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If setting details are registered and invoked within the same operation mode, then the setting management is simple and straightforward, but the operability across different operation modes remains poor and settings cannot be shared between modes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesetting sharing across modesVSAvoidsetting management system

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The storage unit is designed to store setting details from multiple different operation modes (copy mode, printer mode, scanner mode, etc.) in a unified manner. The invoker can retrieve settings from any registered mode and apply them to the currently active mode, making the setting management system universal across all operation modes rather than mode-specific.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple operation modes are provided in the information processor, then the functionality and versatility are improved, but the operability and ease of managing settings across modes deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperation modesVSAvoidsetting management

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the setting management functionality across multiple operation modes by providing a unified storage unit that collects settings from all modes and a single invoker interface that can access and apply settings from any mode. This consolidation allows users to manage settings for copy, printer, scanner, and other modes through a single unified system rather than separate management mechanisms for each mode.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of operation

If setting details are stored for each operation mode separately, then the setting organization is clear and simple, but the ability to invoke settings from different modes is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesetting invocationVSAvoidsetting details

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS10931838B2Information processor, and computer-readable recording medium storing setting control program and setting control method for information processor

Publication Date: 2021.02.23 SHARP KK

AI summary

A multifunction peripheral according to the present invention includes a plurality of operation modes such as a copy mode and an image scanner mode. The multifunction peripheral has a job program function of registering setting details of an operating condition for an arbitrary operation mode as a job program, and enabling the same state as that at the time of registering the job program to be reproduced by invoking the registered setting when necessary. That is, according to the job program function, the operation mode, setting details, and an operation screen at the time of registering the setting are reproduced. This feature greatly contributes to improving the operability of the multifunction peripheral.