Client-Side Management Device for MFP Status Synchronization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional device remote management systems face challenges in synchronizing device statuses between a management device installed at a service center and one at a client site, leading to potential double-processing and communication overhead.

Innovation Solution

A management device and method that connects to an electronic device and a terminal through a network, synchronizing device-status information with a remote management device using event notifications, reference-destination switching, and adjusted polling intervals to prevent double-processing and reduce network communication.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If both a management device at the service center and a management device at the client site are used to manage the electronic device, then maintenance management capability is improved, but device status synchronization becomes complex and network communication increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemaintenance management capabilityVSAvoidsynchronization complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a management device at the client site as an intermediary between the electronic device and the remote management device at the service center. This intermediary manages local device status information and selectively synchronizes with the remote management device, reducing unnecessary network communication while maintaining comprehensive management capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements local status management by storing and managing device status information locally at the client site management device. This allows the local management device to handle status information independently and only communicate with the remote management device when necessary, reducing synchronization complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Measurement precision

If device status information is continuously synchronized between management devices, then status accuracy is improved, but network communication overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice status accuracyVSAvoidnetwork communication overhead

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic polling where the remote management device requests device status information at predetermined intervals rather than continuously. This reduces network communication overhead while maintaining acceptable status accuracy through periodic updates.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary actions by having the local management device store and manage device status information locally before remote access is needed. This preliminary local management reduces the need for frequent remote communication, lowering network overhead while maintaining status accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Speed

If event notifications are transmitted to both management devices simultaneously, then real-time status updates are improved, but duplicate processing may occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestatus update speedVSAvoidduplicate processing prevention

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the remote management device sends reference destination information back to the local management device. This feedback loop allows the local device to know when the remote device has accessed status information, preventing duplicate recovery processes and ensuring reliable event handling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent dynamically adjusts the synchronization behavior based on the operational context. The local management device transmits event notifications to the remote management device only when appropriate, and the remote device adjusts its polling interval based on whether it has accessed the reference destination, optimizing both speed and reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS9860105B2Management device, management method, and recording medium

Publication Date: 2018.01.02 RICOH CO LTD

AI summary

A first acquisition unit acquires an event notification from an MFP and updates first device-status information. A transmission unit transmits the event notification and first reference-destination information. A switching unit switches a first access to the first reference-destination information to a second access to second reference-destination information. A second acquisition unit issues an acquisition request at a first interval, issues an acquisition request at a second interval in response to the event notification, acquires the second device-status information, and update the first device-status information.