Management Device State Transition for Accurate Device List Generation

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing device management systems face misalignment issues when the configuration of devices changes, particularly when the computer is in a power-saving state, leading to incomplete or inaccurate device information.

Innovation Solution

A management device with a device communication unit, storage unit, and device control unit that generates and updates a device list when shifting between states, ensuring accurate reflection of device configurations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If the computer is in a power-saving state, then power consumption is reduced, but the computer may not recognize newly coupled devices leading to information misalignment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoiddevice information accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary device detection and information acquisition when transitioning from power-saving state to active state, before normal operations begin. This ensures device information is updated in advance, preventing misalignment between stored information and actual device configurations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements a feedback mechanism that detects state changes (power-saving transitions) and automatically triggers device list regeneration. This closed-loop approach ensures that device information is continuously synchronized with actual configurations, maintaining reliability while allowing power-saving operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Adaptability or versatility

If the device configuration is changed when the computer operation state changes, then adaptability is improved, but misalignment between stored information and actual configuration occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconfiguration change capabilityVSAvoiddevice information consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary device detection and information acquisition when transitioning from power-saving state to active state, before normal operations begin. This ensures device information is updated in advance, preventing misalignment between stored information and actual device configurations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements a feedback mechanism that detects state changes (power-saving transitions) and automatically triggers device list regeneration. This closed-loop approach ensures that device information is continuously synchronized with actual configurations, maintaining reliability while allowing power-saving operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS20230128400A1Management device and non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing program

Publication Date: 2023.04.27 SEIKO EPSON CORP

AI summary

A second management device coupled to a device includes: a local communication IF communicating with the device; a second storage storing a device list in which the device that the local communication IF can communicate with is registered; and a second device management unit acquiring device information from the device registered in the device list. The second device management unit generates the device list and causes the second storage to store the device list, when the second management device shifts from a first state to a second state.