Mobile Document Service Request Routing via Intermediary Server
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mobile computing devices face limitations in storage capacity and connectivity, making it difficult to access and manage documents, especially when needing real-time access or secure sharing across different networks, and inadequate network connectivity hinders the routing of document service requests between token-based servers and output devices.
Innovation Solution
A method is established where a mobile device sets up two connections with a document processing device, submitting a document service request with a document identifier and device identifier, allowing the document to be received in a suitable format for processing, and redirecting requests if the initial device is incapable of performing the service.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If documents are stored on mobile computing devices, then real-time access to documents is enabled, but storage capacity limitations restrict the size and number of documents that can be stored
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a document server as an intermediary between the mobile device and the document storage location. The mobile device communicates document access requests to the document server, which then retrieves and provides documents. This mediator approach allows real-time document access without requiring large local storage capacity on the mobile device, as documents are fetched from remote storage as needed.
2Reliability
If document service requests are routed through token-based servers, then secure access to documents is achieved, but inadequate network connectivity hinders the routing of requests between servers and output devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the document service request routing into multiple independent connection paths. Instead of requiring a single direct connection between the token-based server and output device, the system establishes separate connections: one from the mobile device to the document server, and another from the document server to the output device. This segmentation allows each connection to be optimized independently and enables document service requests to be routed through available network paths even when direct connectivity is inadequate.
Solution Approach 2:
The document server acts as an intermediary that bridges the token-based server and output devices with inadequate network connectivity. The mobile device submits document service requests to the document server, which then forwards them to appropriate output devices. This intermediary approach maintains security through the token-based system while overcoming network connectivity limitations by allowing flexible routing through the document server.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple connections are established for document processing, then document service requests can be routed through capable devices, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service mechanisms where the document server automatically discovers available output devices and their capabilities, then autonomously routes document service requests to appropriate devices. The system includes automatic device detection, capability matching, and request forwarding without requiring complex manual configuration or management by the mobile device user. This self-service approach enables versatile document service routing while keeping the user interface simple.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods for controlling a document service request involve defining a document service request workflow and redirecting document service requests from the mobile device. In one embodiment, through a short-range connection with a document processing device on a foreign network, a mobile device establishes a secure connection to the mobile device's native network to identify a document stored on a file server operating thereon. Once a document is identified, the mobile device over the secure connection initiates a document service request by requesting an output server operating on the native network to retrieve and convert the identified document into an output-ready format suitable for the document processing device. Upon receipt of the output-ready document, the mobile device resends the output-ready document over a local connection to the document processing device to carry out the document service request.