Cross-Tenant Configuration Management for Image Forming Apparatuses
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing information processing systems for image forming apparatuses do not efficiently manage configuration data across different tenants, requiring users to manually set configurations when using image forming apparatuses outside their tenant management range, which is inconvenient and undesirable for administrators.
Innovation Solution
An information processing system that includes a management apparatus capable of managing operation settings for each user's management range, allowing image forming apparatuses to request and acquire operation settings via a network, generating and applying configuration data for use across different tenant ranges, ensuring secure and consistent settings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If configuration data is stored locally in each image forming apparatus, then each apparatus can operate independently, but setting changes require manual configuration on each apparatus which is time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
A management apparatus is introduced as an intermediary between users and multiple image forming apparatuses. This mediator receives configuration requests, determines the appropriate tenant and apparatus, retrieves or generates the required configuration data, and transmits it to the target apparatus, thereby eliminating the need for manual configuration on each device
Solution Approach 2:
The management apparatus serves multiple functions: it acts as a configuration server, a tenant manager, a request router, and a data transmitter. By consolidating these functions in a single system, the patent enables centralized management of configuration data across multiple apparatuses, improving operational efficiency
2Adaptability or versatility
If configuration data is shared across tenants, then users can access apparatuses outside their tenant range, but security and tenant isolation may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies different quality levels of access control to different tenants. Each tenant has its own configuration data with specific access permissions. When a user requests to use an apparatus outside their tenant range, the management apparatus checks the user's credentials against the target apparatus's tenant requirements, granting access only when appropriate permissions are verified, thus maintaining security while enabling cross-tenant usage
3Reliability
If manual configuration is required for each image forming apparatus, then tenant security is maintained, but user convenience is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables automatic configuration delivery where the management apparatus autonomously retrieves, processes, and transmits configuration data to the appropriate image forming apparatus based on user requests. This self-service mechanism eliminates manual configuration steps for users while maintaining security through automated tenant verification and permission checking
Data Source
AI summary
A setting value management service holds first operation setting information that is applied to an image forming apparatus belonging to a first management range managed thereby and second operation setting information which is applied to an image forming apparatus belonging to a second management range. The setting value management service generates third operation setting information, which is applied to the image forming apparatus, when a user who corresponds to the second management range uses the image forming apparatus belonging to the first management range, using the second operation setting information. The setting value management service accepts the operation setting information acquisition request from an image forming apparatus belonging to the first management range, which is used by a user who corresponds to the second management range, and returns the corresponding third operation setting information to the image forming apparatus.