Network Image Scanner Protocol Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image reading devices require users to install device drivers on terminal devices for operation, which is cumbersome and consumes significant hard disk space and memory.
Innovation Solution
An image reading device with a network interface that communicates using a data transferring protocol, allowing it to generate and transmit image data based on pathnames received from terminal devices, eliminating the need for device driver installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a device driver is installed in the terminal device to control the image reading device, then the image reading device can be controlled and image data can be generated, but the installation process becomes troublesome and consumes hard disk space and memory
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the device driver functionality from the terminal device and relocates it to the image reading device itself. The image reading device now contains embedded software that handles communication protocols (HTTP, FTP, NetBIOS) and image processing directly, eliminating the need for terminal devices to install drivers. This extraction resolves the contradiction by removing the complex installation requirement while preserving operational capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The image reading device performs self-service by autonomously handling communication protocols and image data generation without requiring external driver software. The device reads the original, processes the image data, and transmits it via network protocols directly from its own internal systems, making the terminal device merely a client that sends commands and receives data without any additional software installation.
2Ease of operation
If a device driver is installed in the terminal device, then the image reading device can be controlled, but significant hard disk space and memory space are consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the device driver software from the terminal device's storage and execution environment, extracting it and relocating it to the image reading device. This extraction eliminates the need for terminal devices to allocate significant hard disk space and memory for driver installation, while the image reading device maintains full control capability through its own embedded software.
3Reliability
If conventional device drivers are used, then the image reading device can be integrated with the terminal device, but the integration process becomes complicated and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the integration complexity from the terminal device side by relocating the communication protocol handling to the image reading device. The terminal device simply needs standard network client capabilities, while the image reading device provides all necessary protocol implementations (HTTP, FTP, NetBIOS) internally, dramatically reducing integration time and complexity while maintaining reliable connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The image reading device implements universal communication capabilities by embedding multiple protocol support (HTTP, FTP, NetBIOS) directly in its software architecture. This multi-functionality allows the device to integrate with various terminal devices and networks without requiring terminal-specific driver installation, reducing integration time while ensuring reliable communication across different platforms.
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided an image reading device having an interface to communicate with devices on a network, the image reading device including a data transferring system that communicates with a terminal device on the network according to a certain data transferring protocol, and a reading system that reads an original and generates image data of the original based on information contained in a pathname designated according to the certain data transferring protocol, the pathname being transmitted from the terminal device and being received by the data transferring system.