Distributed Scanning System Server Configuration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image reading systems require complex user intervention to set up distributed scanning across multiple scanners, as users need to manually specify each scanner and configure settings, which is cumbersome and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
An image reading system comprising a server device and multiple image reading devices connected via a network, where the server stores distributed scanning settings and identification information, allowing devices to autonomously receive commands, acquire settings, read documents, and transmit data to the server for merging, simplifying the distributed scanning process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If users manually specify each scanner and configure distributed scanning settings, then distributed scanning functionality is achieved, but the operation complexity and time required increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service by allowing scanners to automatically acquire distributed scanning settings from the server device using their own identification information, eliminating the need for manual user configuration. Each scanner autonomously retrieves its settings based on pre-registered identification data, making the system self-configuring rather than requiring user intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The server device performs preliminary action by pre-registering distributed scanning settings associated with each scanner's identification information before actual scanning operations. This advance preparation allows scanners to immediately retrieve ready-made configurations without requiring users to set up parameters at the time of use, significantly reducing configuration time.
2Productivity
If multiple scanners are connected and configured for distributed scanning, then scanning capability is enhanced, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The server device provides universal functionality by serving as a centralized repository for all scanners in the network. It handles multiple functions including storing identification information, managing distributed scanning settings, receiving read data from any scanner, and performing merging operations. This multi-functional approach simplifies the overall system architecture compared to requiring each scanner to have independent configuration capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The server device acts as an intermediary between multiple scanners, mediating the distributed scanning process. Instead of scanners directly communicating with each other or requiring complex peer-to-peer configuration, all settings retrieval and data merging operations go through the server, which simplifies the interaction model and reduces system complexity.
3Ease of operation
If distributed scanning settings are stored on the server device, then configuration retrieval is simplified, but network dependency increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each scanner effectively receives a copy of its specific distributed scanning settings from the server device when needed. The settings are replicated from the central server to the individual scanner temporarily for execution, allowing the scanner to operate with its own configuration copy without continuous network connection during the actual scanning process.
Data Source
AI summary
An image reading system includes a server device and a first scanner communicably connected to the server device. The server device includes a distributed scanning storage unit that stores distributed scanning setting information defining a setting item of distributed scanning and including identification information. The first scanner includes a first receiver that receives, from a user, a command that includes the identification information and is a command to perform the distributed scanning, a first acquirer that acquires the distributed scanning setting information from the server device when the first receiver receives the command to perform the distributed scanning, a first reader that reads a first document sheet stack to generate first read data based on the distributed scanning setting information, and a first transmitter that transmits the first read data to the server device.