Device Control Panel Lock via Management App Notification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing device management systems face issues with locking and unlocking operations, leading to unintended device operation by users and potential overwriting of settings, especially when the device manager is not physically present, requiring cumbersome restarts of the device management application.
Innovation Solution
A system with a processor and memory that restricts device operations based on notifications from an application program, allowing controlled locking and unlocking of device settings, ensuring only authorized users can change settings and preventing unauthorized access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the operation unit is locked via broadcast message from device management application, then unauthorized user operation is prevented, but the device manager cannot operate the device directly when moving to the device location
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a notification mechanism as an intermediary between the device management application and the device. When the device manager needs to operate the device directly, the application sends a notification to the device to temporarily unlock the operation unit, allowing direct operation while maintaining security through controlled access.
Solution Approach 2:
The lock state of the operation unit is made dynamic rather than static. The system can transition between locked and unlocked states based on real-time needs, allowing the device manager to unlock the operation unit temporarily when moving to the device location, then re-lock it after operation completes.
2Ease of operation
If the operation unit is kept unlocked to allow device side operations, then device accessibility is improved, but the device management application must be restarted to lock the operation unit again
Solution Approach 1:
The notification mechanism serves as an intermediary that enables the device management application to control the operation unit lock state without requiring application restart. The application can send notifications to lock or unlock the operation unit as needed, maintaining continuous operation without cumbersome restart cycles.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the operation unit is unlocked during device management application operation, then both device side and application side operations are enabled, but setting overwriting may occur between the two sides
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the device management application is notified when the device operation unit state changes. This feedback loop allows the application to monitor and coordinate operations, preventing setting overwriting by synchronizing between device side and application side operations.
Data Source
AI summary
A device locks a control panel of the device in response to connection from a device management app of an information processing apparatus. When receiving an operation for releasing the lock via the control panel, the device transmits a notification of stop to the device management app to unlock the control panel. When receiving the notification of stop from the connected device, the device management app of the information processing apparatus stops processing for changing the setting of the device performed by the device management app.