MFP Cloud Application Activation via Device Registration
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for managing and tracking cloud applications on multi-function peripherals (MFP) devices are complex, especially when it comes to licensing and registration, as they often require manual processes and lack control over applications executed without licenses, leading to potential business and operational challenges.
Innovation Solution
An application registration application is used to determine if an MFP device is registered with an activation server, allowing users to register cloud applications only if the device is registered, and prompting users to register the device or purchase a license if not registered, thus ensuring proper licensing and control over application execution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If cloud applications are executed without license verification, then application accessibility is improved, but control and tracking capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary registration of the MFP device with the activation server before allowing cloud application execution. The device identification is registered in advance, creating a baseline control mechanism that enables subsequent application tracking without requiring manual license installation for each application.
Solution Approach 2:
The application registration application automatically verifies device registration status with the activation server and manages the registration process without requiring manual technician intervention. The system self-determines whether the device is registered and guides users through the appropriate path (application registration or device registration).
2Reliability
If manual license installation processes are implemented, then licensing control is improved, but operational complexity and time consumption worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the license verification function from individual application installation processes and consolidates it into a single device-level registration process. Instead of verifying licenses for each application separately, the system performs one-time device registration that enables subsequent application executions without repeated manual license installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The device registration with the activation server serves multiple functions simultaneously: it verifies device identity, enables cloud application access, and establishes tracking capability. This universal registration process replaces the need for separate license installation procedures for each application.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If device registration verification is performed before application registration, then unauthorized use prevention is improved, but registration process complexity worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs device registration verification as a preliminary step before allowing application registration. The application registration application automatically checks whether the MFP device is registered with the activation server before proceeding with application-specific registration, preventing unauthorized applications from executing on unregistered devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The activation server acts as an intermediary between the MFP device and the application registration process. It verifies device registration status and provides guidance to the application registration application, simplifying the complexity by centralizing verification logic in the server rather than embedding complex verification routines in each application.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques are described for providing an MFP device with access to external Web services. According to embodiments, an application registration application executed at a multi-function peripheral device receives a registration request to register a particular application with an activation server. The particular application uses at least one external Web service. In response to receiving the request, a device identification of the multi-function peripheral device is obtained; a verification request comprising the device identification number is generated, and the verification request is transmitted to the activation server to cause the activation server to generate and send a response to the application registration application. If the response indicates that the multi-function peripheral device has not been registered with the activation server, a message is displayed on a display of the multi-function peripheral device. The message may recommend purchasing a license for using the particular application.