MFP Browser UserAgent Switching for Web Server Compatibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Web browsers in multifunction peripherals (MFPs) often encounter compatibility issues with Web servers that do not support their unique browser types, leading to abnormal screen displays.
Innovation Solution
An information processing apparatus that includes a first and second transmitting unit to send requests with default or alternative UserAgents to Web servers, and a fourth and fifth transmitting unit to utilize app-specific UserAgents when necessary, ensuring compatibility and normal screen display.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a Web browser in an MFP uses its unique browser type to access Web servers, then the browser can maintain its specialized functionality for MFP operations, but the Web server may not support this browser type resulting in abnormal screen display
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism (UserAgent string manipulation) between the MFP Web browser and the Web server. The browser can switch between a default UserAgent (representing the actual MFP browser) and an alternative UserAgent (representing a supported browser type). This intermediary allows the browser to present itself as a supported browser type when accessing Web servers that do not natively support the MFP's unique browser, thereby ensuring normal screen display while maintaining the ability to use specialized MFP functionality.
2Ease of operation
If the Web browser always uses the default UserAgent, then the browser maintains its original identity, but Web servers that do not support the MFP browser type cannot display normal screens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic UserAgent selection mechanism. Instead of statically using the default UserAgent, the browser dynamically switches between the default UserAgent and alternative UserAgent based on the accessed URL. When a URL matches a registered alternative URL, the browser automatically uses the corresponding alternative UserAgent. This dynamic adaptation allows the browser to maintain identity consistency for general use while automatically adapting to Web servers that require specific browser types.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the Web browser uses alternative UserAgents for different URLs, then compatibility with supported Web servers is improved, but the browser complexity increases due to URL registration and UserAgent management
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-registering alternative URLs and their corresponding alternative UserAgents before actual Web browsing occurs. The browser maintains a registry of alternative URLs (Web servers that require specific browser types) and their associated alternative UserAgents. When browsing, the browser simply checks if the accessed URL matches any registered alternative URL and automatically selects the appropriate UserAgent. This preliminary setup simplifies the runtime operation, as the complexity is resolved in advance rather than during each browsing session.
Data Source
AI summary
To enable a Web browser not supported by a Web server to display a normal screen based on Web content sent from the Web server, an information processing apparatus includes: a unit that transmits a request including an access destination URL for downloading the Web content and a default UserAgent to a Web server designated by the access destination URL, in a case where the Web server designated by the access destination URL does not match a Web server designated by a registered URL; and a unit that transmits a request including the access destination URL and an alternative UserAgent associated with the registered URL to the Web server designated by the access destination URL, in a case where the Web server designated by the access destination URL matches the Web server designated by the registered URL.