Assistance Server Mediates MFP Tunnel Connections

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing systems for managing tunnel connections between Multi Function Peripherals (MFPs) and service provision servers across firewalls face increased load on management servers as the number of connected MFPs grows, leading to a need for reduced load on these servers without compromising existing services.

Innovation Solution

An assistance server is introduced to establish assistance connections with MFPs, requesting the management server to control the MFPs on behalf of the service provision server, thereby reducing the continuous connection load on the management server and allowing MFPs to access the service provision server through assistance connections.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the management server establishes continuous connections with all MFPs to enable service provision, then the service reliability is improved, but the server load increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice reliabilityVSAvoidserver load

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

An assistance server is introduced as an intermediary between the management server and MFPs. The assistance server establishes continuous connections with MFPs instead of the management server, thereby maintaining service reliability while reducing the load on the management server. The assistance server mediates communication and control operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system functionality is segmented by separating the continuous connection management function from the service provision function. The assistance server handles continuous connections with MFPs, while the management server focuses on service provision. This segmentation distributes the load and improves overall system efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Power

If another server is provided to reduce management server load, then the server load is reduced, but the existing services provided by the management server may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveserver loadVSAvoidservice functionality

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The assistance server acts as a specialized intermediary that handles specific functions (continuous connections with MFPs) without interfering with the management server's existing services. This allows the management server to maintain its service portfolio while offloading connection management tasks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system divides responsibilities by having the assistance server handle connection management while the management server maintains service provision capabilities. This segmentation ensures that existing services are preserved while load is reduced through functional separation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Quantity of substance

If the management server maintains continuous connections with increasing numbers of MFPs, then the service coverage is improved, but the processing capabilities required increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of connected MFPsVSAvoidprocessing capabilities

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The assistance server serves as a mediator that can scale to handle connections with increasing numbers of MFPs without proportionally increasing the processing burden on the management server. The assistance server absorbs the connection management overhead.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

By segmenting the connection management function to the assistance server, the system can support a larger quantity of connected MFPs without linearly increasing the processing requirements of the management server, as the heavy connection management tasks are handled separately.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS11290603B2Assistance server, tunnel connection assistance method and non-transitory computer-readable recording medium encoded with tunnel connection assistance program

Publication Date: 2022.03.29 KONICA MINOLTA INC

AI summary

An assistance server assists an information processing system, wherein the information processing system includes a management server arranged outside of a firewall and a control subject device arranged inside of the firewall, the assistance server includes a hardware processor, and the hardware processor is configured to establish an assistance connection for communication with the control subject device in response to a request from the control subject device, in the case where being requested by the service provision server to control the control subject device, request the management server to control the control subject device on behalf of the service provision server, and in the case where being requested by the service provision server to control the control subject device, control the control subject device via the assistance connection and cause the control subject device to establish a continuous connection for communication with the management server.