Middleware-Based Job Control for Multifunction Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multifunction devices face challenges in easily adapting their job control software due to the need for expensive hardware upgrades and complex network environments, making it difficult to change and manage the job control units efficiently.
Innovation Solution
A middleware-based job control device that connects with multifunction devices, allowing for the selection and sequential operation of multiple devices to perform tasks without requiring additional hardware, using middleware programming such as CORBA, RMI, or COM+, facilitating the change of job control software and providing a rapid response mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a platform is built inside the multifunction device to download and execute programs, then job control software can be changed flexibly, but hardware costs and system complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a middleware layer that acts as an intermediary between the host computer and the multifunction device. This middleware runs on the host computer rather than requiring a built-in platform in the device, enabling flexible job control software changes while avoiding the hardware complexity and costs associated with embedding a full execution platform in the device.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a network environment with interface functions is built to control multifunction devices, then job control can be flexibly managed, but the basic environment construction becomes expensive and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a middleware component as an intermediary that simplifies the network environment requirements. Instead of requiring a complex network infrastructure with multiple interface functions, the middleware handles the communication and control logic centrally on the host computer, reducing the complexity of the network environment while maintaining flexible job control management.
3Power
If high capacity memory and high performance CPU are installed to build a platform, then program execution capability is improved, but hardware costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the program execution capability from the multifunction device itself and relocates it to the host computer. By taking out the need for high-capacity memory and high-performance CPU from the device, the system leverages the host computer's existing computational resources, thereby maintaining strong program execution capability while significantly reducing the hardware resources required in the multifunction device.
Data Source
AI summary
A job control device, a multifunction device, and an operation method thereof are provided. The job control device includes a middleware unit that supports connection with a multifunction device comprising multiple devices having independent functions, and a job control unit that controls performing of a job by at least one device from among the plurality of devices through the middleware unit. A multifunction device includes a multiple devices that have independent functions and a middleware unit that requests a job call to the job control device. A device, from among the plurality of devices, called from the job control device through the middleware unit executes a corresponding function.