Image Forming Apparatus Automatic Network Switching for Remote Maintenance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users of multi-function peripherals face high call charges during remote maintenance due to the need for manual switching between different communication networks, which is cumbersome and costly, especially when using public switched telephone networks.
Innovation Solution
An information processing system that automatically switches communication between an image forming apparatus and a call center from a public switched telephone network to HTTP media communication, reducing the burden on users and operators by using a relay server to establish an HTTP tunnel for billing-efficient remote maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If manual switching between communication networks is performed during remote maintenance, then call charges can be reduced by using intranet/Internet lines instead of public switched telephone network, but the operation becomes cumbersome and increases the complexity of the maintenance process
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically detects the communication network type and switches between public switched telephone network and intranet/Internet lines without requiring manual intervention. The image forming apparatus autonomously determines the appropriate communication path and performs the switching operation itself, eliminating the need for users to manually switch networks while still achieving cost reduction through efficient use of intranet/Internet lines for remote maintenance.
2Ease of operation
If automatic network switching is implemented, then ease of operation is improved and call charges are reduced, but device complexity increases due to additional control mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-configures communication parameters and network routing information before remote maintenance sessions. The control mechanism uses predetermined criteria and automatic detection protocols that are established in advance, allowing the system to automatically switch networks based on pre-defined conditions without requiring complex real-time decision-making or sophisticated control algorithms.
3Reliability
If HTTP media communication is used through relay server, then compatibility with firewalls is improved and session establishment is facilitated, but additional infrastructure complexity is introduced
Solution Approach 1:
The relay server acts as an intermediary that facilitates communication between the image forming apparatus and the call center through HTTP protocols. This intermediary component handles the complexity of firewall navigation and session establishment by using standard HTTP requests and responses, allowing the relay server to mediate connections without requiring direct peer-to-peer communication between the client and server systems.
Data Source
AI summary
An information processing system in which an image forming apparatus and an information processing apparatus are connected and in which remote support of the image forming apparatus is performed from the information processing apparatus. The image forming apparatus connects to a telephone network to perform a call with the information processing apparatus, determines whether or not the call is by a predetermined connection, and, upon determining that the call is by the predetermined connection, switches communication with the information processing apparatus to a call in accordance with HTTP media.