Networked MFP User Information Synchronization via Intermediary Server
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image processing systems require complex operations for managing user registrations across multiple connected image processing apparatuses, as users must register and transfer personal boxes individually, leading to cumbersome processes.
Innovation Solution
An image processing system with a network-connected architecture that includes a registered user information storage, input, and registration mechanism, allowing for the storage and transmission of user identification information across apparatuses, enabling simple user management and data synchronization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a personal box is registered in the image storage portion of the data supply source, then user information can be stored and managed, but the operation becomes complicated when transferring personal boxes between computers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a user information management server as an intermediary component that centralizes user information storage and management. Instead of directly managing personal boxes between computers, the server mediates the transfer and synchronization of user information, simplifying the operation while maintaining reliable information management across multiple devices
Solution Approach 2:
The user information management server provides universal functionality by serving multiple image processing apparatuses and computers. It manages user information for all devices in the network, enabling seamless transfer and access of personal boxes without requiring complex individual operations for each device
2Ease of operation
If user information is stored in each image processing apparatus, then local access is enabled, but data synchronization across multiple apparatuses becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The user information management server acts as a central intermediary that handles data synchronization between multiple image processing apparatuses. Each apparatus can locally access user information without directly managing synchronization, as the server mediates the data exchange and maintains consistency across all devices
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the user information storage function into a centralized server that serves all image processing apparatuses. This combining of functions into a single management point simplifies the overall system architecture while enabling local access through the network, eliminating the complexity of distributed synchronization
Data Source
AI summary
When user identification information is input, if user data including the input user identification information is stored, an MFP serving as an operation terminal requests an MFP serving as a home terminal specified by the apparatus identification information associated with the accepted user identification information by the user data to transmit the registered user information including the input user identification information and stores the registered user information received in response to the transmission request. Therefore, with a user's simple operation of inputting user identification information at an MFP as an operation terminal, the registered user information is transmitted from an MFP as a home terminal storing the registered user information and is then stored in the MFP as an operation terminal.