MFP Network Auto-Configuration via IP-Based User Data Sync
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image processing systems require cumbersome settings and operations for connecting new apparatuses to a network, as users need to manually initiate backup and download of user setting information, making the process inefficient.
Innovation Solution
An image processing system with registered user information storage, obtaining apparatus identification, user data storage, determining portions, and transmitting/receiving registered user information to facilitate automatic network connection and data synchronization among connected devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual backup and download operations are required for user setting information, then data synchronization between apparatuses is achieved, but user operation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables automatic backup and download of user setting information without requiring manual user instructions. The determination portion automatically detects whether user data exists for a connected apparatus, and the transmitting portion automatically transmits the data or the requesting portion automatically requests transmission, eliminating the need for users to manually initiate backup or download operations while ensuring data synchronization is maintained.
2Ease of operation
If automatic determination and transmission of user data is implemented, then ease of operation improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the automatic data synchronization function into separate functional modules: a determination portion that checks whether user data exists for a connected apparatus, a transmitting portion that sends user data when it exists, and a requesting portion that requests transmission when data does not exist. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, making the overall system more manageable despite the increased functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The determination portion performs preliminary checking to ascertain whether user data for a connected apparatus already exists before initiating any transmission operations. This preliminary action prevents unnecessary transmission attempts and ensures that automatic data synchronization only occurs when appropriate, reducing unnecessary system complexity while maintaining ease of operation.
3Loss of information
If user setting information is manually transferred, then data accuracy is maintained, but time consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The determination portion provides feedback about whether user data for a connected apparatus already exists, enabling the system to automatically respond by transmitting data when needed or requesting transmission when data is missing. This feedback mechanism ensures data accuracy is maintained while eliminating manual transfer steps, thereby reducing setup time without compromising information integrity.
Data Source
AI summary
When a new MFP is connected in a state where a plurality of MFPs are connected to a network, each of a plurality of MFPs obtains an IP address of MPF from the new MFP, and if user data including the obtained IP address is stored, then transmits to the new MFP the registered user information associated with the obtained IP address by the user data. On the other hand, if user data including the obtained IP address is not stored in HDD, the new MFP is requested to transmit registered user information. Upon reception of the registered user information, the new MFP displays a confirmation window to ask the user for permission to write that registered user information into HDD. Upon reception of the request, the new MFP transmits registered user information. This facilitates the setting for newly connecting an apparatus to the network.