Device Management Apparatus with Unique ID Issuance for Duplicate Identification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing device management systems face challenges in distinguishing between devices with duplicate identification information, such as model names and serial numbers, leading to potential management inconsistencies and unintended operation targets.
Innovation Solution
A device management apparatus that issues unique management IDs to devices connected via a network, using a communicator, management ID issuer, storage, and controller to differentiate devices and display warning messages for potential duplicates or unauthorized connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If devices are identified using unique information such as MAC address and IP address, then device identification accuracy is improved, but compatibility with devices that cannot provide such information deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a management ID as an intermediary identification mechanism. When devices cannot provide unique network information (MAC/IP addresses), the management server assigns a management ID to serve as the identifying marker. This intermediary solution enables identification of devices that would otherwise be unidentifiable by conventional means, resolving the contradiction between identification accuracy and device type compatibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes the identification parameter used for devices based on their capabilities. For devices that can provide MAC/IP addresses, these parameters are used for identification. For devices that cannot provide such information, the system switches to using management ID as the identification parameter. This parameter switching mechanism maintains both high identification accuracy for capable devices and broad compatibility across all device types.
2Ease of operation
If only device identification information from the device itself (model name and serial number) is used for judgment, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability of device distinction deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple identification approaches into a unified system. It combines device-provided identification information (model name, serial number) with server-issued management IDs. The system uses both types of information together to achieve reliable device distinction, rather than relying on device information alone. This merging maintains operational simplicity while significantly improving reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The management server provides feedback by issuing management IDs to devices based on their provided identification information. This feedback mechanism ensures that even when devices provide identical or duplicate identification information, the server can distinguish them through the assigned management IDs. The feedback loop maintains simplicity for devices while ensuring reliable distinction through server-side verification and ID assignment.
3Reliability
If a management ID is issued to each device, then device distinction capability is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The management ID issuance process is designed to be largely automatic and self-service oriented. When a device connects to the network, the management server automatically detects the device, evaluates its identification information, and issues a management ID without requiring manual intervention. This self-service approach minimizes the operational complexity introduced by the ID issuance mechanism while maintaining reliable device distinction.
Solution Approach 2:
The management server performs preliminary actions by pre-assessing device identification information and preparing management IDs before devices need them. When devices connect, the identification and ID assignment process is already prepared and can be executed automatically. This preliminary preparation reduces the complexity of real-time decision-making in the system while ensuring reliable device distinction from the outset.
Data Source
AI summary
A device management apparatus includes a communicator transmitting and receiving various types of data to and from the device; a management ID issuer issuing a unique management ID to the device; a storage that stores device specifying information of the device, the device specifying information including the management ID and predetermined device identification information; a display displaying, in a list of devices to be managed, the device to which the management ID is issued; and a controller controlling the communicator, the management ID issuer, the storage, and the display, where when the communicator has received a connection request from a device via the network, the controller judges whether the device has a management ID, and if the device has no management ID, the controller controls the management ID issuer to issue a unique management ID to the device and controls the communicator to transmit the unique management ID.