Internet Fax Architecture Load-Based Resource Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing Internet fax systems lack scalability and flexibility, relying on a simplistic first-in-first-out methodology that leads to inefficiencies in image processing resource utilization and bottlenecks in outbound fax processing, and are inflexible when sending faxes to multiple destinations.
Innovation Solution
An improved Internet fax architecture that implements a centralized message queue, a load-notification system, a fair queuing system, and an outbound resource selection algorithm based on customer capacity, allowing for efficient and flexible processing of outbound fax messages by selecting the least loaded imaging system for processing and supporting mass fax interfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a simplistic first-in-first-out methodology is used to assign outgoing fax requests, then the system is easy to implement, but it sacrifices efficiency in connection with image processing resource utilization and creates bottlenecks in outbound fax processing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic resource selection algorithm that continuously monitors imaging system workload and selects the least loaded system for processing fax requests. This dynamic approach replaces the static FIFO methodology, allowing the system to adapt to changing resource availability and optimize processing efficiency without requiring complex implementation changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where imaging systems report their workload status to a central controller, which then uses this information to make informed decisions about job assignment. This feedback loop enables the system to balance the load effectively across multiple imaging systems, resolving the contradiction between ease of implementation and processing efficiency.
2Device complexity
If a single outbound fax job is associated with a single destination, then the system architecture is simple, but it results in inflexibility when customers need to send the same fax to multiple destinations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal fax job structure that can handle multiple destinations within a single job submission. The system allows customers to specify multiple destination fax numbers when submitting a fax request, and the architecture processes all destinations through a unified workflow. This multi-functional approach maintains relatively simple architecture while significantly improving versatility for multi-destination scenarios.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems for processing outbound fax messages in an efficient and scalable manner are provided. According to one embodiment, a request to deliver a fax message is received by an Internet fax system. Source files associated with the request and representing at least a portion of content to be included as part of the fax message are stored to a shared storage area accessible by multiple imaging systems and multiple fax processing resources. A load score is calculated for each imaging system based on one or more of a processor load and a memory load. An imaging system is selected, based on the load scores, to convert the source files into a digital representation suitable for faxing. The source files are converted by associating the digital representation with an outbound fax job. The fax message is delivered by submitting the outbound fax job to one of the fax modems.