Communication Device Request Timing Synchronization

Solution Overview

Problem

Multi-function peripherals (MFPs) face inefficiencies when receiving event descriptor strings from multiple client computers at varying timings, leading to suboptimal processing capabilities.

Innovation Solution

A communication device is configured to synchronize the receiving timings of request packets from multiple devices by adjusting the sending timing of response packets based on predetermined time periods, using processors and memory to function as a receiving control unit, sending control unit, and deciding unit, ensuring that the time period from receiving a request packet to sending a response packet is longer for some devices than others.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If the MFP immediately sends response packets to multiple client computers upon receiving request packets at different timings, then the response speed to each client is improved, but the processing efficiency of the MFP deteriorates due to frequent state transitions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresponse speedVSAvoidprocessing efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The MFP performs preliminary actions by receiving and storing request packets from multiple clients in advance, even when they arrive at different timings. By buffering these requests and processing them in a coordinated manner, the system prepares the ground for efficient batch processing, reducing the need for frequent state transitions while maintaining responsive service to all clients.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The MFP employs periodic action by transitioning to a non-sleeping state at regular intervals to process accumulated request packets from multiple clients. Instead of responding immediately to each incoming request, the system collects requests over a period and then processes them together in periodic bursts, thereby reducing the frequency of state transitions while maintaining overall response capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

2Productivity

If the MFP waits for request packets to arrive closer together in time, then the processing efficiency is improved by reducing state transitions, but the response speed to individual clients deteriorates due to increased waiting time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing efficiencyVSAvoidresponse speed

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The MFP performs preliminary actions by receiving and storing request packets from multiple clients in advance, even when they arrive at different timings. By buffering these requests and processing them in a coordinated manner, the system prepares the ground for efficient batch processing, reducing the need for frequent state transitions while maintaining responsive service to all clients.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The MFP acts as an intermediary by introducing a buffering mechanism between request reception and response transmission. Request packets from multiple clients are held in a buffer, allowing the system to coordinate their processing and synchronize responses. This intermediary buffer decouples the arrival times of requests from the timing of responses, enabling both efficiency improvement and acceptable response speeds.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If the MFP frequently transitions between sleeping and non-sleeping states to handle incoming request packets, then the responsiveness to individual requests is improved, but the power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveresponsivenessVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The MFP employs periodic action by transitioning to a non-sleeping state at regular intervals to process accumulated request packets from multiple clients. Instead of responding immediately to each incoming request, the system collects requests over a period and then processes them together in periodic bursts, thereby reducing the frequency of state transitions while maintaining overall response capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The MFP performs preliminary actions by receiving and storing request packets from multiple clients in advance, even when they arrive at different timings. By buffering these requests and processing them in a coordinated manner, the system prepares the ground for efficient batch processing, reducing the need for frequent state transitions while maintaining responsive service to all clients.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS8667181B2Communication device

Publication Date: 2014.03.04 BROTHER KOGYO KK

AI summary

A communication device may receive a first request packet from a first device and receive a second request packet from a second device. The communication device may send a first response packet to the first device in response to the first request packet and send a second response packet to the second device in response to the second request packet. The communication device may decide a timing for sending the second response packet to the second device. The timing may be decided such that a time period from receiving the second request packet to sending the second response packet in response to the second request packet is longer than a time period from receiving the first request packet to sending the first response packet in response to the first request packet. The communication device may send the second response packet to the second device at the decided timing.