Information Processing Apparatus Wizard Redisplay After Firmware Changes

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional information processing apparatuses, such as multifunction peripherals, display an initial setting wizard only once at the time of initial power-on after factory shipment, failing to account for subsequent changes or additions to setting items due to firmware updates or security enhancements, leading to inadequate ongoing setup.

Innovation Solution

The apparatus is equipped with controllers to perform an initial setting process at startup and an update setting process when predetermined conditions are met, allowing the initial setting wizard to be displayed again under specific conditions like firmware updates or security mode changes, enabling users to update settings as needed.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the initial setting wizard is displayed only once at initial power-on, then the device complexity is reduced and ease of operation is improved for first-time users, but the adaptability deteriorates when firmware updates or security enhancements require additional setting items

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to firmware updates and security enhancementsVSAvoidcomplexity of setting display management
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The setting wizard display system is made dynamic by determining whether to display the wizard based on the current operational state of the information processing apparatus. The controller checks if setting items have been added or changed due to firmware updates or security enhancements, and dynamically decides to redisplay the wizard only when necessary, rather than following a fixed display rule.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring the apparatus state for changes in setting items. When the controller detects that setting items have been added or modified (through state changes in the apparatus), it triggers the redisplay of the initial setting wizard to allow users to configure the new or modified settings.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Adaptability or versatility

If the initial setting wizard is redisplayed after firmware updates, then the adaptability is improved, but the loss of time increases due to requiring users to reconfigure settings

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to accommodate setting changesVSAvoidtime for users to reconfigure settings
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of requiring users to reconfigure all settings after every firmware update, the system applies partial action by determining whether setting items have actually changed. The initial setting wizard is redisplayed only when necessary (when setting items are added or modified), avoiding unnecessary time loss for users while still maintaining adaptability to required changes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts the wizard display behavior based on the actual state of the apparatus. By checking whether setting items have changed before triggering the wizard redisplay, the system optimizes the balance between adaptability and time efficiency, redisplaying the wizard only when truly necessary rather than on every firmware update.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If the initial setting wizard is displayed at appropriate timing based on state changes, then the adaptability is improved, but the device complexity increases due to state monitoring requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetimely display of setting screenVSAvoidcomplexity of state monitoring and determination
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The information processing apparatus performs self-service by autonomously monitoring its own state changes and determining when the initial setting wizard should be redisplayed. The controller checks whether setting items have been added or changed based on internal state information, eliminating the need for external monitoring systems or complex user intervention to trigger the wizard.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses internal feedback mechanisms where the controller continuously monitors the apparatus state for changes in setting items. When the monitoring detects that setting items have been added or modified, this feedback triggers the appropriate action of redisplaying the initial setting wizard, creating a self-regulating system that adapts to state changes automatically.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP4597294A1Information processing apparatus and method of controlling information processing apparatus
Publication Date: 2025.08.06 SHARP KK
  • EP4597294A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4597294A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4597294A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

An information processing apparatus including one or more controllers, a display, and an operation acceptor. The one or more controllers perform an initial setting process in which at a time of initial startup, a setting screen in a wizard form to receive a setting of a setting value is displayed on the display and an operation performed to set the setting value is received via the operation acceptor, and an update setting process in which when a predetermined condition after the initial startup is satisfied, the setting screen is displayed on the display and an operation performed to update the setting value is received via the operation acceptor.