MFP Wireless Connection Management via Permission-Based Disconnection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Image formation apparatuses with wireless communication capabilities face limitations in handling a large number of simultaneous connections, leading to automatic disconnection of user devices with high authority or active operations, disrupting remote operations.
Innovation Solution
Implement a control unit that determines terminal devices to disconnect based on predefined conditions, sends notifications for permission, and severs connections only when permission is granted, ensuring efficient management of connections and maintaining active user operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If automatic connection is implemented using stored communication information, then terminal devices can automatically connect when passing through communication range, but the number of connected terminal devices easily reaches the upper limit number
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by storing communication information in advance and automatically connecting terminal devices when they enter the communication range. This allows users to simply pass through the range to establish connection without manual configuration, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and connection management.
2Productivity
If communication control techniques are applied to automatically sever connections when the number of devices exceeds the limit, then the image formation apparatus can accept additional remote operation, but wireless communication with terminal devices may be severed including those with high authority or active operations
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies different disconnection policies to different terminal devices based on their characteristics. Terminal devices with high authority or active operations are protected from automatic disconnection, while other devices can be disconnected when the limit is reached. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between maintaining productivity and ensuring reliability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the image formation apparatus accepts more terminal devices simultaneously, then more users can perform remote operation, but the throughput limitation causes communication interference and disruption of active operations
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the number of simultaneous connections based on current operational status and device priorities. Instead of a fixed upper limit, the system can flexibly manage connections by selectively maintaining or disconnecting specific terminal devices, thereby adapting to varying throughput conditions while preserving communication stability for critical operations.
Data Source
AI summary
An image formation apparatus remotely operable smoothly using a terminal device is provided. In an image processing system including a plurality of terminal devices and an MFP capable of wireless communication, when the number of terminal devices connected to the image formation apparatus via wireless communication has reached a threshold value representing a number based on the number of terminal devices with which the MFP can wirelessly communicate, the MFP determines that, of the connected terminal devices, one or more terminal devices satisfying a previously stored condition as a candidate to be disconnected, and the MFP sends notification to request severing the wireless communication. When the MFP obtains permission for disconnection from a terminal device that is a destination of the notification, the MFP severs the wireless communication.