Network Monitoring Device Identifies Print Function Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing device management systems struggle to correctly identify and manage image processing devices with overlapping serial numbers, leading to incorrect device recognition and management issues.
Innovation Solution
A monitoring device configured to search for image processing devices on a network, differentiate between devices with the same serial numbers but different IP addresses, and manage only the image processing devices with a print function as management targets.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If device management systems use serial numbers to identify image processing devices, then device identification is simplified, but devices with overlapping serial numbers cannot be correctly distinguished
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the device identification process into multiple stages: first identifying devices by serial number, then filtering out controller devices that have the same serial number as print devices. This segmentation allows the system to handle overlapping serial numbers by processing identification in discrete steps rather than attempting single-step identification.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary filtering mechanism that sits between device detection and device management. This filter examines detected devices and determines whether they are print devices or controller devices based on device type information, preventing controller devices from being incorrectly managed as print devices.
2Reliability
If the system manages all detected devices with the same serial number, then no devices are missed, but controller devices are incorrectly managed as print devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and separates controller devices from the set of detected devices by using device type information. This extraction removes the harmful element (controller devices being misidentified) while preserving the useful elements (print devices being correctly identified and managed).
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where device type information is used to verify and correct the identification of devices. The system continuously checks device type attributes and adjusts management actions accordingly, ensuring that controller devices are not mistakenly managed as print devices.
3Productivity
If the monitoring device searches for all image processing devices on the network, then comprehensive device detection is achieved, but devices with overlapping serial numbers cause management errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary classification of devices by type before management actions are taken. By determining whether a device is a print device or controller device in advance, the system prevents management errors from occurring during subsequent operations, rather than attempting to correct errors after they occur.
Data Source
AI summary
A monitoring device monitoring information processing devices via a network searches for image processing devices on the network; in a case in which a plurality of image processing devices that have serial numbers that are the same but different IP addresses have been found during the search, confirms whether or not a device is an image processing device for expanding image processing relating to a print function; and manages, from among the plurality of image processing devices, an image processing device that is not an image processing device for expanding image processing relating to a print function as an image processing device that is a management target that are provided with a print function.