Image Processing Region Setting with Cross-Region Subscription Checks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image processing apparatuses face issues with incorrect region settings leading to improper connection with resource servers, resulting in failed automatic ordering services due to erroneous region designation, especially with the increasing number of regions defined for data protection.
Innovation Solution
A device and method that includes a transmission unit to send identification and region information to a management server, receiving search information on service subscription status, allowing adaptation of region settings to service availability in different regions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the number of regions in the resource server is increased to protect personal information and confidential information, then the security and compliance of the automatic ordering service is improved, but the complexity of region management and the difficulty of detecting and measuring the correct region increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a management server as an intermediary between the image processing apparatus and multiple region-specific resource servers. The management server receives region information from the image processing apparatus, determines the appropriate resource server based on this information, and facilitates communication. This intermediary approach maintains security by directing traffic to appropriate regional servers while simplifying the detection process for end users.
Solution Approach 2:
The management server performs multiple functions: it receives information requests containing region information, determines the appropriate resource server, transmits identification information to the correct server, and receives search results. This multi-functional approach consolidates region management complexity into a single system that handles various aspects of regional service delivery.
2Ease of operation
If the user designates the region in the client apparatus, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability of service delivery deteriorates when the user erroneously designates the region
Solution Approach 1:
The management server provides feedback by transmitting search information to the image processing apparatus. This search information includes results from the resource server that can indicate whether the designated region is correct or not. Based on this feedback, the image processing apparatus can notify the user of the region designation status and prompt for correction, thereby maintaining ease of operation while improving reliability through error detection and correction.
3Ease of operation
If the image processing apparatus is connected to the resource server of an erroneous endpoint due to incorrect region designation, then the ease of operation is maintained, but the productivity and service availability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary verification by transmitting identification information to the determined resource server before actual service operations. The management server uses the region information to pre-determine the appropriate resource server, and the subsequent transmission of identification information serves as a preliminary check. If the region is incorrect, the search result will indicate no matching service subscription, preventing wasted service attempts and enabling early correction.
Data Source
AI summary
A device that can adapt a region setting in an image processing apparatus to a status of service subscription. An information request to which identification information for identifying an image processing apparatus and region information including a region set in the image processing apparatus are assigned is transmitted to a management server. Search information is received from the management server as a response to the information request. The search information includes a result of searching performed using the identification information as to whether or not subscription information for a service regarding the image processing apparatus exists in a region server arranged in another region different from the region included in the region information.