Multifunction Peripheral Setting Synchronization Without Downtime
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional synchronization-type systems for managing setting values across multiple multifunction peripherals can cause downtime and fail to apply setting changes to devices currently in use, leading to inconsistencies and potential user disruptions.
Innovation Solution
A device with a storage unit, receiving unit, processing unit, and update unit that synchronizes setting data by executing reset processing based on difference data received from a server, ensuring setting changes are applied even when devices are in use, using a configuration that includes a storage unit, receiving unit, processing unit, and update unit to manage and apply setting changes across multifunction peripherals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If setting changes are synchronized to multifunction peripherals without limiting user operations, then downtime is prevented and device availability is maintained, but setting changes may not be properly applied to devices currently in use leading to inconsistency
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by notifying the multifunction peripheral of upcoming setting changes before actually applying them. This allows the device to prepare for the change by saving current settings and state information, ensuring that changes can be properly applied even during active use without causing downtime or inconsistency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the multifunction peripheral reports its current state and operational status back to the setting value management server. This feedback loop enables the server to determine the appropriate timing and method for applying setting changes, ensuring consistency while maintaining device availability.
2Reliability
If distribution-type systems limit user operations during settings data distribution, then setting changes are reliably applied, but downtime occurs during which multifunction peripherals cannot be used
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts its operation mode based on the current state of the multifunction peripheral. When a device is not in use, setting changes are applied directly. When a device is actively being used, the system switches to a notification-based approach that allows continuous operation while ensuring settings are properly applied afterward, thus maintaining both reliability and availability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters based on device state. It monitors whether the multifunction peripheral is in use and adjusts the setting application strategy accordingly - using forceful application when idle and notification-based application when in use - thereby resolving the contradiction between reliable setting application and device availability.
3Ease of operation
If setting changes are applied to all managed devices simultaneously, then unified management is achieved, but devices in use may experience disruptions or failures
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies different treatment strategies to different devices based on their local state. Devices that are not in use receive setting changes directly, while devices currently in use receive notifications and have their settings applied at appropriate moments. This localized approach maintains unified management efficiency while preventing disruptions to user processing.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention manages a reset type and a reset condition state, the reset type indicating whether or not a screen reset operation is necessary when each synchronized setting value is synchronized. This information is confirmed when synchronization is performed, and necessary reset processing such as log-out processing is executed if necessary.