Electronic Whiteboard Software Registration and Mode Switching

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic whiteboards restrict users from installing desired software, as they can only install software registered in advance, limiting functionality and requiring administrative intervention.

Innovation Solution

An image processing device with a software registration list that allows switching between normal and install modes, enabling the registration and validation of unregistered software, allowing users to install desired software.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If software registration list is enforced to prevent unknown software execution, then system security is improved, but user flexibility and ability to install desired software deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem securityVSAvoiduser flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The software registration list is made dynamic by introducing mode switching capability. In normal mode, the registration list is enforced for security. In install mode, the registration list is suspended to allow installation of unregistered software. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by allowing the system to switch between security enforcement and user flexibility based on operational context.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The enforcement status of the software registration list is changed as a controllable parameter. By modifying the parameter state (enforced vs. suspended) through mode switching, the system can adapt between security-oriented operation and user-friendly installation operation, resolving the contradiction between security and flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If administrator must install software one by one to expand functionality, then system security is maintained, but installation time and labor increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem securityVSAvoidinstallation time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Users are empowered to perform software installations themselves without requiring administrator intervention. By allowing users to switch to install mode and install software independently, the system eliminates the time-consuming administrator installation process while maintaining security through the mode switching mechanism and subsequent validation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary validation by requiring users to validate the software registration list after installing unregistered software. This preliminary security measure is built into the installation workflow, allowing rapid user-driven installation while maintaining security through automated validation rather than manual administrator review.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If only registered software can be executed, then system reliability is improved, but functional expandability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem reliabilityVSAvoidfunctional expandability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The software execution policy is made dynamic through mode switching. In normal mode, only registered software can execute, ensuring reliability. In install mode, this restriction is temporarily suspended to allow installation of new software for functional expansion. After installation, the system returns to normal mode and requires validation, thus maintaining reliability while enabling functional expandability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The mode switching mechanism acts as an intermediary between the conflicting requirements of strict software registration enforcement and functional expandability. It mediates by temporarily relaxing registration requirements during installation while maintaining them during normal operation, and introduces validation as an intermediary security check for newly installed software.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3251005B1Image processing device and electronic whiteboard
Publication Date: 2019.12.04 RICOH CO LTD
  • EP3251005B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3251005B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3251005B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An electronic whiteboard (2) includes a white list (102) in which predetermined software is registered, a mode switching unit (113) configured to switch a normal mode in which software unregistered in the white list (102) is not permitted to be installed and an install mode in which the unregistered software is permitted to be installed, an invalidating/validating processor (121a) configured to invalidate the white list (102) in the install mode, and a registerer (121b) configured to register software installed while the white list (102) is invalidated in the white list (102), in which the invalidating/validating processor (121a) validates the white list (102) after the installed software is registered in the white list (102).