Web API Control for Multifunction Peripheral Scan and Print
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multifunction peripherals (MFPs) face a high development burden due to the need for dedicated browsers to control hardware, which are closely coupled with firmware and require specific debugging tools, making it difficult to develop web applications efficiently.
Innovation Solution
An electronic device with a communication unit, processing unit, and image reading unit that uses a web API to start scan and print processes, allowing standard browsers to communicate with the device and eliminate the need for dedicated browsers, facilitating easier development and maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a dedicated browser is used to control MFP hardware, then the MFP can be controlled via web applications, but the development burden increases due to close coupling with firmware and need for specific debugging tools
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by enabling standard web browsers to control MFP hardware through a unified web API interface. Instead of requiring a dedicated browser, the system allows any standard browser to invoke MFP functions (scan, print, etc.) via conventional web protocols, making the control mechanism universally accessible and eliminating the need for specialized browser development
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a web API as an intermediary layer between the standard browser and MFP hardware. This mediator translates conventional web API calls into device-specific control commands, allowing standard browsers to control MFP functions without direct coupling to firmware, thus reducing development complexity while maintaining control capability
2Adaptability or versatility
If a dedicated browser is used to control MFP hardware, then the MFP can be controlled via web applications, but the development time and resources increase due to need for specific debugging tools
Solution Approach 1:
By making the browser control mechanism universal (using standard browsers instead of dedicated ones), the patent eliminates the need for specialized debugging tools and firmware coupling, allowing developers to use existing web development skills and tools, thereby significantly reducing development time and resource investment
Solution Approach 2:
The web API intermediary abstracts the complex device control logic, allowing developers to work with standard web technologies rather than device-specific protocols. This reduces development time by eliminating the need to learn and debug proprietary browser-firmware interfaces
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device causes an image reading unit to start a scan process when a web API for scan start request is invoked by a process of a web browser configured to communicate with a server system.