Fleet Management via Root Device File Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Managing a fleet of computer-operated image forming devices, such as printers and copiers, is costly and complex, especially for smaller organizations, as existing methods require a dedicated server and can lead to bottlenecks in file distribution, making it impractical for efficient management.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for native scalable management of a fleet of devices, establishing a Trust Community where one device acts as a Root Device to publish files, sharing them with others, and setting up download and install schedules, with files checked for security, integrity, and completeness before redistribution, using a tree or graph structure for organization and load balancing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a dedicated server is used for fleet management, then device management capability is improved, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the fleet management functionality from a dedicated external server and embeds it directly into the image forming devices themselves. Each device contains local management agents and databases that enable autonomous fleet management operations, eliminating the need for complex external server infrastructure while maintaining full device management capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The image forming devices perform self-management through built-in fleet management agents that can autonomously execute tasks such as status monitoring, software updates, and configuration management. The devices serve themselves by maintaining local databases and executing management functions without requiring external server intervention, thereby reducing system complexity.
2Reliability
If a centralized server is used for file distribution, then file management control is improved, but distribution speed and efficiency deteriorate due to bottlenecks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the centralized file distribution system into distributed peer-to-peer connections between devices. Instead of all devices downloading from a single central server, files are divided and distributed through multiple device nodes in the fleet, creating parallel distribution channels that eliminate bottlenecks while maintaining controlled distribution through local agents.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single-dimensional centralized distribution model to a multi-dimensional distributed network architecture. Files can be distributed through multiple paths and dimensions simultaneously across the device network, utilizing available bandwidth from multiple sources rather than being constrained to a single server connection.
3Reliability
If a dedicated server infrastructure is implemented, then security control is improved, but implementation cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements multi-functional device agents that combine security management, file distribution, status monitoring, and software update capabilities into a single integrated system within each device. This universal agent architecture provides comprehensive security control without requiring separate dedicated security servers or multiple specialized infrastructure components, thereby reducing implementation cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces local fleet management agents as intermediaries between devices and the external environment. These agents handle security protocols, authentication, and controlled file exchanges locally, providing robust security control while eliminating the need for expensive dedicated security infrastructure. The agents mediate all management operations, maintaining security without requiring external server support.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of providing native scalable management of a fleet of managed devices, which includes establishing a Trust Community, which includes a sub-set of the managed devices, organizing the Trust Community, configuring one of the managed devices in the organized Trust Community as a Root Device to publish files via a file sharing function, adding the Root Device to a distribution profile stored in a database, creating or downloading files via the Root Device, and sharing the files with other devices in the organized Trust Community via the Root Device. Any devices on hold or offline are placed in a temporary working area for reorganizing. Download and install schedules are set up on a per device or a bulk basis according to policies. Files are placed into a staging area before re-distribution and checked for security, integrity, and/or completeness via checksums, digitally signed certificates, and/or internal structure checks.