Network Request Transfer via Storage Intermediary

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Solution Overview

Problem

In systems with separated networks, user terminals connected to one network cannot directly access or transfer processing requests to devices on another network, leading to the need for users to re-transmit requests when they move between network areas.

Innovation Solution

An information processing system that includes a first information processing apparatus connected to one network, a second information processing apparatus connected to a different network, and a storage apparatus that can communicate with both, allowing the first apparatus to transmit processing requests to the storage when the user terminal disconnects, enabling the second apparatus to execute the request without user intervention.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If networks are separated by firewall to improve security, then network security is improved, but processing requests cannot be transferred between networks

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork securityVSAvoidprocessing request transfer capability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a storage apparatus as an intermediary component that can be accessed by both first and second information processing apparatus across different networks. When a user terminal moves from the first network to the second network, the processing request is transferred to the storage apparatus, which then enables the second information processing apparatus to execute the request without direct network access between the separated networks, thus maintaining security while enabling request transfer.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If processing request is transferred to storage apparatus when user terminal disconnects, then user convenience is improved, but network communication complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser convenienceVSAvoidnetwork communication complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by transferring the processing request to the storage apparatus in advance when the user terminal disconnects from the first network. This preliminary transfer ensures that when the user reconnects to a different network, the request is already available at the storage apparatus, eliminating the need for re-transmission and improving user convenience despite the added communication steps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS10891088B2Information processing system, information processing apparatus, and non-transitory computer readable medium for transmitting a request initiated in a first network to a second network

Publication Date: 2021.01.12 FUJIFILM BUSINESS INNOVATION CORP

AI summary

An information processing system includes: a first information processing apparatus connected to first network; a second information processing apparatus connected to second network different from the first network; a user terminal connectable to the first network; and a storage apparatus communicable with the first information processing apparatus and the second information processing apparatus, wherein the first information processing apparatus receives a processing request from the user terminal via the first network, and then transmits the processing request to the storage apparatus when connection of the user terminal to the first network is terminated.