Firewall-Connected Service Link for Third-Party Image Forming Functions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses are limited to functioning only with pre-configured services and cannot cooperate with third-party services, restricting their functionality.
Innovation Solution
A service providing system that includes a first apparatus with an agent unit and an execution unit, and a second apparatus with a shadow execution unit, allowing for the execution of functions in cooperation with external services through a first and second connection, enabling the exchange of messages and attribute data to facilitate seamless operation across networks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If an image forming apparatus is configured to work only with pre-configured services, then the system structure is simple and reliable, but the adaptability and functionality are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a service link manager as an intermediary component that mediates between the image forming apparatus and external services. This manager handles service link management, authentication, and communication coordination, enabling the apparatus to work with diverse third-party services without increasing overall system complexity. The intermediary abstracts the complexity of service integration from the core apparatus functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The service link manager implements universal functionality by supporting multiple service types and communication protocols through a unified interface. The system can connect to various third-party services (cloud storage, printing services, collaboration tools) using the same fundamental architecture, making the apparatus adaptable to different services while maintaining consistent operation patterns.
2Ease of operation
If the apparatus is restricted to pre-configured services, then the operation is simple and secure, but the ease of operation with external services is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The service link manager implements feedback mechanisms that monitor service connection status, authentication states, and communication health. The system provides real-time status information to users and automatically adjusts operations based on service availability and connection state, making external service integration as reliable as pre-configured services while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The service link manager enables self-service functionality by automatically managing service link establishment, authentication token handling, and connection status monitoring. Users can connect to external services through simple interfaces without manually configuring complex parameters, while the system handles security and reliability aspects autonomously.
Data Source
AI summary
A service providing system including a service on the Internet and a data processing apparatus connected to the service via a firewall is provided. The service receives, from another service different from the service on the Internet, an instruction regarding execution of a function of the data processing apparatus, and generates a message to notify the data processing apparatus based on the instruction. The data processing apparatus requests the message through a first connection established with the service via the firewall, acquires the message in response to the request, accesses the another service via a second connection different from the first connection based on access information to the another service included in the message, acquires information necessary for executing the function from the another service, and executes the function.