Information Processing Apparatus for Heterogeneous Device Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional systems face difficulties in supporting new types of devices due to differences in data formats, making it challenging to manage them effectively within existing remote device management frameworks.
Innovation Solution
An information processing apparatus and method that receive management information from diverse devices, convert it into a common data format using a conversion rule, enabling seamless integration and management of various devices across a network.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional remote device management systems are used, then existing devices can be managed, but new types of devices with different data formats cannot be supported
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a data format conversion mechanism as an intermediary layer between devices with different data formats and the management server. The conversion unit receives management information in device-specific formats and converts it into a unified common data format, enabling the server to handle diverse devices without requiring format-specific processing logic for each device type.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a universal data format (common data format) that serves as a standardized interface for all device types. The management server operates universally by processing only this common data format, making the system adaptable to any new device type without modifying the server's core functionality, thus achieving multi-functionality across diverse device ecosystems.
2Adaptability or versatility
If data format conversion is implemented, then new devices can be supported, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent stores conversion rules in advance within the management server before actual data conversion is needed. These pre-stored rules map device-specific data formats to the common data format, allowing the conversion unit to quickly transform incoming data without performing complex real-time analysis or calculations, thus reducing operational complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a standardized copy of data in the common data format as an intermediary representation. Instead of modifying the original device-specific data formats or requiring the server to understand multiple formats simultaneously, the system copies and transforms data into a universal format for processing, simplifying the server's data handling logic.
3Loss of information
If multiple data formats are handled directly, then device-specific information is preserved, but management processing becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the data processing function into two distinct stages: (1) receiving and preserving device-specific management information in its original format, and (2) converting this information into a common data format for unified processing. This segmentation allows the system to maintain device-specific data integrity during reception while simplifying management processing through standardization in the second stage.
Solution Approach 2:
The common data format serves as an intermediary layer that bridges device-specific formats and management processing requirements. The conversion unit acts as a mediator that translates between device-specific representations and the unified management representation, preserving information fidelity while enabling straightforward processing operations.
Data Source
AI summary
An information processing apparatus is connectable to a plurality of devices of different types via a network. The information processing apparatus includes a receiving unit that receives, from the devices, management information of each of the devices in a data format corresponding to the respective devices; a first storage unit that stores therein a first conversion rule for converting the management information into manage information in a first common data format common to the devices; and a conversion unit that converts the management information thus received into management information in the first common data format based on the first conversion rule.