Device Model Agent for Automated Post-Sale Lifecycle Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for electroreprographic marking machines, facsimile machines, and multifunction devices face challenges in post-sale lifecycle management, including complex user interactions, inconsistent support for deployed devices, and limited ability for rapid feature upgrades and customization, leading to user dissatisfaction and increased operational costs.
Innovation Solution
A flexible end-to-end system utilizing the Device Model Agent (DMA) and Distributed Management Task Force (DMTF) Common Information Model (CIM) standards enables devices to actively participate in their lifecycle, providing automated services such as meter reads, supply management, and remote diagnostics, allowing for seamless integration with back-office processes and user-specific configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual post-sale processes are used for meter reads and supply management, then users have direct control over their devices, but users must actively relay information and perform manual checks, increasing operational complexity and user burden
Solution Approach 1:
The device automatically performs meter reads, monitors supply levels, and places orders without user intervention. The system self-manages these post-sale processes by collecting data from sensors and communicating with suppliers autonomously, eliminating the need for users to manually check meters or monitor supplies
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors device status through sensors and automatically relays information to manufacturers and suppliers. This feedback loop enables automated decision-making for supply ordering and maintenance scheduling, transforming manual information relay into an automated process
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple services are offered by a device, then device functionality is enhanced, but users are bewildered by the number of services, making the device appear too complex to learn
Solution Approach 1:
The device acts as an intermediary that automatically manages complex post-sale services on behalf of users. By introducing this intelligent intermediary layer, the system handles service coordination, supply ordering, and maintenance scheduling autonomously, shielding users from the underlying complexity while maintaining versatile functionality
3Productivity
If users manually check supplies and place orders, then users have full control over their device operations, but this manual process increases time consumption and operational effort
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors supply levels and automatically places reorder requests before supplies are depleted. This preliminary action eliminates the need for users to wait until supplies are low before taking action, streamlining the operational process and reducing time consumption
4Adaptability or versatility
If devices are tightly coupled with specific communication methods, then system architecture is simplified, but the system lacks flexibility for rapid upgrade and customization
Solution Approach 1:
The system architecture is segmented into independent modular components that can be individually upgraded or customized. This segmentation allows different communication methods and service modules to be added or modified without affecting the core system, enabling rapid customization while managing complexity through modular design
Data Source
AI summary
The Device Model Agent (DMA), the device side technology module in Device Centric Services (DCS) system, is the main focus of this invention. DMA is a thin, efficient applications/services execution environment. DMA provides an embedded services platform for enabling system management applications and services. This allows a flexible, extensible, dynamic services management module allowing networked services to be designed, added, and managed within the system without modifications to devices, DCS system, or DMA itself. While this invention specifically describes the integration of benefits from DMA into document system devices, the concepts are equally applicable in other domains. The DMA runtime environment is a thin software interface layer that resides on a document system device between the Java runtime environment and embedded web server.