Web API Control Panel for External Address Book Editing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current image processing apparatuses, such as multifunction peripherals (MFPs), lack the ability for external information processing systems to independently edit management information, specifically address book information, stored in the main unit, limiting operational flexibility and user convenience.
Innovation Solution
An image processing apparatus equipped with an image processing engine, memory for storing setting information, a control panel for accepting operation instructions, and a Web server functioning as a Web API service, allowing the control panel to receive and display responses for editing setting information via Web APIs, enabling external systems to interact and modify address book information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If address book information is stored in the main unit for centralized management, then reliability and data consistency are improved, but ease of operation and user convenience deteriorate because external systems cannot independently edit the information
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a control panel as an intermediary device between external information processing apparatus and the main unit. The control panel receives editing operations from external systems via Web APIs and transmits them to the main unit for execution. This mediator enables external systems to edit address book information without direct access to the main unit, maintaining data consistency while improving user convenience and operational flexibility.
2Ease of operation
If address book information is made accessible to external systems for editing, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases due to the need for Web API service and control panel communication infrastructure
Solution Approach 1:
The control panel serves multiple functions: it acts as a user interface for operations, a communication gateway for Web API requests, and a transmission device for forwarding commands to the main unit. By making the control panel multi-functional, the patent avoids adding separate dedicated devices for each function, thereby reducing overall system complexity while enabling external editing capabilities.
3Adaptability or versatility
If Web API service is added to enable external editing, then adaptability and versatility are improved, but device complexity and development requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The control panel autonomously handles Web API request processing, validation, and transmission to the main unit without requiring complex integration with external systems. The control panel self-manages the communication protocol, authentication, and data formatting, reducing the development burden and making the Web API service easier to implement and maintain while maintaining high adaptability.
Data Source
AI summary
An image processing apparatus includes: an image processing engine to perform image processing; a memory to store setting information used in the image processing; a control panel to accept an operation instruction for operating the image processing engine and an input instruction for editing the setting information; and a Web server, functioning as a Web API service, to accept a request of the instruction from the control panel via one or more Web APIs. The control panel receives a response to the instruction for editing from the Web API service, and displays the received response as a result of the editing of the setting information.