Controller Terminal Restriction for Duplicate Processing

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Solution Overview

Problem

In communication systems, when multiple controllers handle requests to start communication between terminals, there is a risk of duplicate processing if different controllers receive requests simultaneously, leading to inefficiencies and potential errors.

Innovation Solution

A control system with two controllers where one accepts and processes requests for communication, and the other imposes restrictions on terminals to ensure that only the requested communication is initiated, preventing duplicate processing by transmitting terminal identification information and restriction completion messages between controllers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If multiple controllers are provided to distribute load and improve processing capacity, then the system can handle more communication requests simultaneously, but duplicate processing occurs when different controllers receive requests for the same terminal at the same time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing capacityVSAvoidprocessing accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the control functions of multiple controllers into a coordinated system where they share terminal management information. Controllers exchange terminal association information to ensure that only one controller processes communication requests for each terminal, eliminating duplicate processing while maintaining the load distribution benefits of having multiple controllers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms where controllers transmit terminal association information to each other. This feedback loop allows controllers to know which terminals are already being managed by other controllers, preventing duplicate processing while maintaining system-wide awareness and coordination.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Device complexity

If a single controller handles all communication requests, then processing is centralized and simple to manage, but the controller becomes a bottleneck and cannot scale to handle large numbers of simultaneous requests

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem management simplicityVSAvoidrequest handling capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the control function across multiple controllers, with each controller responsible for specific terminals. This segmentation distributes the processing load while maintaining manageable complexity through standardized information exchange protocols between controllers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a universal communication protocol that allows any controller to handle any terminal request, provided the terminal association information is exchanged. This multi-functionality enables load distribution while maintaining system-wide consistency through standardized interfaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Speed

If controllers operate independently to improve response speed, then each controller can process requests quickly without coordination overhead, but duplicate processing and system inconsistencies occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverequest processing speedVSAvoidsystem consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary action by having controllers pre-exchange terminal association information before processing requests. This advance coordination establishes a clear division of responsibilities, allowing controllers to operate independently and quickly while maintaining system consistency through pre-established knowledge of terminal assignments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3072285B1Control system, communication system, computer program, controlling method, and computer program product
Publication Date: 2021.05.05 RICOH CO LTD
  • EP3072285B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3072285B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3072285B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The controller (50a) accepts a request to start communication between the terminals (10aa, 10bd). The controller (50a) imposes a restriction so that the terminal (10aa) connected to the controller (50a) does not start any communication between the terminals other than the communication according to the request. The controller (50a) transmits the terminal ID of the terminal (10bd) to the controller (50b). Based on the terminal ID, the controller (50b) imposes a restriction so that terminal (10bd) connected to the controller (50b) does not start any communication between the terminals other than the communication according to the request. The controller (50b) transmits restriction completion information to the controller (50a). After the restrictions on the terminals (10aa, 10bd) have been completed, the controller (50a) performs processing to establish the session for content data performed according to the request between the terminals (10aa, 10bd).