Mobile Client Printer Application Discovery via EIP Platform
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for communicating with a network of printers lack efficient integration with mobile devices, limiting the ability of mobile clients to discover and execute applications that can interact with printer devices to perform functions such as printing, scanning, or faxing.
Innovation Solution
A mobile client coupled to a network that includes software platforms enabling discovery and execution of applications, allowing mobile devices to interact with printer devices by discovering available applications and activating them through a user interface, using a peer-to-peer architecture with index nodes, basic nodes, and mobile EIP clients, which manage membership communities and provide discoverable EIP application software modules.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional printer network systems are used, then printer functions are available, but mobile device integration and application discovery capabilities are lacking
Solution Approach 1:
The EIP platform enables printers to function as both traditional printing devices and as application servers that can execute software modules. The system allows a single printer node to provide multiple services including printing, scanning, faxing, and hosting discoverable applications, making the system universally adaptable to both traditional and mobile device needs without requiring separate dedicated systems
2Adaptability or versatility
If application discovery and execution capabilities are added to mobile clients, then functionality is enhanced, but software platform complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The EIP platform acts as an intermediary layer between mobile devices and printer applications. Instead of requiring complex discovery protocols in each mobile device, the EIP platform on the printer node mediates by listening for discovery requests, matching available applications with client needs, and facilitating execution. This mediator approach enhances functionality while keeping individual device software relatively simple
3Ease of operation
If peer-to-peer architecture with multiple nodes is implemented, then system flexibility and mobility are improved, but network management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The peer-to-peer EIP network implements dynamic node registration and discovery where printer nodes automatically announce their presence and available applications to the network. Mobile clients dynamically discover and connect to appropriate printer nodes without centralized configuration. This dynamic behavior provides flexibility and mobility while the automated discovery protocols reduce the burden of network management complexity
Data Source
AI summary
A mobile client coupled to a network and a method for the mobile client to interact with nodes, including printer devices, which are coupled to the network, are provided. One or more respective nodes includes a software application executable by a host processor associated with the respective node on a software platform executed by the host processor. The application can interact with one of the printer devices to cause the printer device to perform a function. The mobile client includes an software platform executable by its processor for discovering the applications. The discovering of an application includes ascertaining that the application is available for execution and having the ability to activate the application.