Image Forming Apparatus Local License Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current software license management systems burden external servers with license management tasks, increasing loads and complicating communication settings, especially when managing licenses for information processing apparatuses like PCs, which can be alleviated by partially delegating these tasks to frequently used image forming apparatuses like multifunction peripherals.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus is equipped with a license controller that manages support and use licenses, displaying alert messages and facilitating renewal processes directly to users through a touch panel, thereby reducing the load on external servers and simplifying communication by handling license management locally.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If license management is performed via external servers, then centralized control is achieved, but server load increases and communication settings become complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments license management functionality between external servers and local image forming apparatus. The server handles high-level license issuance and validation, while the local apparatus manages alert generation, user notifications, and renewal operations, dividing the complex management task into manageable parts.
Solution Approach 2:
The image forming apparatus acts as an intermediary between users and external license servers. It receives license management messages from servers, processes them locally through the license management unit, and presents information to users via the display unit, simplifying direct user-server interaction.
2Ease of operation
If license management is delegated to image forming apparatus, then user convenience improves, but local processing load increases
Solution Approach 1:
The image forming apparatus provides self-service license management capabilities by automatically receiving license messages, generating alerts, and facilitating renewal operations without requiring users to directly interact with external servers. The apparatus serves itself in managing local license status and notifying users.
3Loss of information
If license management messages are sent to information processing apparatus, then direct notification is achieved, but user accessibility decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges license management notification functionality with the image forming apparatus that users already interact with frequently. By combining license alert display with the existing user interface (display unit and operation units), the system delivers direct notifications while maintaining high user accessibility through a familiar device.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes an image forming mechanism, a panel serving as a user interface of the image forming mechanism, a receiver that receives an image forming instruction for the image forming mechanism from a user of an information processing apparatus, and a display controller that controls the panel to display, in response to the receiver receiving the image forming instruction, a message about management of a license related to software installed in the information processing apparatus by referring to management information of the software.