License Server Selection for Image Forming Apparatus
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In environments where multiple image forming apparatuses are present, such as offices, users face difficulty in selecting the appropriate image forming apparatus for license management of software, as existing solutions do not provide a straightforward method for choosing the optimal device for this purpose.
Innovation Solution
An information processing apparatus is equipped with a processor and memory that stores information on multiple image forming apparatuses, allowing the processor to select and set one as a license management server, simplifying the selection process by considering factors like priority, availability, and communication ports.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple image forming apparatuses are deployed in an office environment, then the availability and redundancy of license management increase, but the complexity of selecting the appropriate apparatus for license management increases
Solution Approach 1:
The image forming apparatus automatically determines and designates itself as the license management server without requiring user intervention. The apparatus with the earliest selection time automatically becomes the license management server, eliminating the need for users to manually select from multiple available apparatuses.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the selection time as a parameter to determine which apparatus becomes the license management server. By comparing selection times (earliest vs. latest), the system automatically resolves the selection complexity among multiple apparatuses.
2Ease of operation
If manual selection of image forming apparatus for license management is required, then user control is maintained, but the ease of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus automatically performs the selection function that would otherwise require user intervention. By using the selection time as an automatic criterion, the system eliminates manual selection steps, improving ease of operation and reducing the time required.
3Reliability
If license management is distributed across multiple image forming apparatuses, then reliability increases, but the difficulty of determining which apparatus to use increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the selection time parameter to clearly distinguish which apparatus should be used for license management. The apparatus with the earliest selection time is designated as the license management server, providing clear guidance to users while maintaining distributed reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
An information processing apparatus includes a processor and memory. The memory stores information on multiple image forming apparatuses capable of making an image forming request. The processor is configured to: install license-managed software; select an image forming apparatus serving as a license management server of the software from the multiple image forming apparatuses; and set the selected image forming apparatus as a license management server.