Image Forming Policy Management for Device-Specific Configuration Changes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming devices managed through dynamic policies face conflicts when administrators attempt to change configuration data independently, leading to potential failures in policy management.
Innovation Solution
A remote management server generates and applies policies to multiple devices, incorporating rules to handle separate configuration change requests, including rejection, acceptance, or seeking service provider approval, ensuring consistent and conflict-free management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a policy is applied to manage configuration data for multiple image forming devices, then centralized management efficiency is improved, but flexibility for individual device configuration changes deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic policy management where policies can be selectively applied or removed from devices based on change requests. The system transitions between static policy enforcement and dynamic adaptation by allowing administrators to request policy removal for specific devices, enabling configuration changes while maintaining overall centralized control. This resolves the contradiction by making the management system flexible rather than rigid.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of policy application status from always-applied to conditionally-applied. By introducing a mechanism to remove policies from specific devices based on administrative requests, the system allows configuration parameters to be modified on individual devices without affecting the centralized policy framework. This enables both centralized management and individual flexibility simultaneously.
2Adaptability or versatility
If configuration data is changed independently on a device, then device-specific adaptability is improved, but policy management consistency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism (the policy management server and structured policy framework) that mediates between independent device configuration changes and centralized policy consistency. When configuration changes are requested, the system processes them through the policy framework, determining whether to apply, reject, or remove policies based on predefined rules. This intermediary layer ensures that device-specific changes do not compromise overall policy consistency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback loops where configuration change requests are processed by evaluating policy rules, and results are communicated back to administrators and devices. The feedback mechanism includes policy application status, rejection reasons, and approval outcomes, ensuring that independent configuration changes are coordinated with centralized policy requirements. This maintains consistency while allowing necessary device-specific adaptations.
3Reliability
If policy application is enforced strictly across all devices, then management control is improved, but device customization capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the policy application scope from universal to selective. Instead of applying policies uniformly across all devices, the system divides policy management into device-specific instances where policies can be individually applied or removed. This segmentation allows strict control over devices requiring it while enabling customization for devices that need flexibility, resolving the contradiction between control and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The policy management system serves multiple functions: it enforces centralized control for devices requiring consistency, allows customization for devices needing flexibility, and provides intermediate states for partial policy application. This multi-functionality enables the same system to handle diverse device management requirements, maintaining reliability while supporting customization where needed.
Data Source
AI summary
An example remote management server is operable to generate a policy including configuration data for image forming devices and a list of a plurality of image forming devices for which the configuration data is applied, receive, from one of the plurality of image forming devices, a request for a change in the configuration data for the image forming device, and process the request for the change in the configuration data in accordance with a preset rule.