Image Forming Apparatus Firewall Workflow Synchronization
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Solution Overview
Problem
In workflow processes involving multiple devices, updating information across devices becomes time-consuming as the number of devices increases, especially when the process executed by the workflow changes, requiring individual updates on each device.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus and information processing system that acquires supplementary information from a server inside a firewall, executes the process, and transmits the updated instruction sheet along with the generated image to a server outside the firewall to execute the image process, allowing the system to adapt to changes in information influencing the process without individual updates on each device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If information is updated individually on each device in a workflow process, then the information accuracy is maintained, but the time required for updating increases as the number of devices increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a server as an intermediary that centralizes the storage and management of workflow information. When information needs to be updated, the change is made on the server in a single location, and the updated information is automatically distributed to all participating devices. This eliminates the need for manual individual updates on each device while maintaining information accuracy across the entire workflow system.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the workflow process is changed to accommodate new requirements, then the adaptability of the system improves, but the complexity of updating information across multiple devices increases
Solution Approach 1:
The server acts as a central intermediary that manages workflow information changes. When the workflow process needs to be modified, the updated information is registered on the server, which then automatically distributes the changes to all relevant devices. This centralization simplifies the complexity of coordinating updates across multiple devices and enables easier adaptation to new workflow requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-registering workflow information on the server before actual workflow execution. This allows the system to anticipate and prepare for information changes, so when workflow modifications are needed, the updated information is already available on the server and can be quickly distributed to devices without requiring complex real-time coordination.
3Productivity
If multiple devices participate in a workflow process, then the functionality and capability of the system increases, but the time required to update information on all devices increases
Solution Approach 1:
The server serves as a central intermediary that manages information distribution to multiple devices. Instead of requiring simultaneous manual updates on each device, the information change is registered once on the server, which then automatically distributes it to all participating devices. This approach maintains system capability with multiple devices while dramatically reducing the time required for information synchronization.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes a processor configured to acquire supplementary information for supplementing a process instructed in an instruction sheet from a first server installed together on an inside of a firewall, execute the process instructed in accordance with the instruction sheet supplemented by the supplementary information, and transmit the supplemented instruction sheet to a second server installed on an outside of the firewall together with an image generated by the instructed process, and instruct the second server to execute an image process on the image in accordance with the instruction sheet.