Network Scanner User Data Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional network scanning systems require additional servers for data storage and user registration, leading to inefficiencies such as shared scanner access issues, waiting times, and difficulties in updating IP addresses, which disrupt user connections.
Innovation Solution
A network scanner system that connects directly to computers via a client program, managing user and scanner information through a network interface card, allowing for automatic user list creation and scanner information updates, eliminating the need for a separate server and enabling real-time IP address changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional network scanning system uses an additional data storage server, then user data can be stored and managed, but the system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the server component from the conventional network scanning system and replaces it with a peer-to-peer architecture where the scanner itself stores and manages user data directly, eliminating the need for a separate data storage server while maintaining data management functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the data storage function with the scanner device itself, combining what were previously separate functions (scanner and server) into a single integrated unit, thereby reducing system complexity while maintaining data storage capability
2Adaptability or versatility
If users share a scanner through a server, then multiple users can access the scanner, but users experience waiting times and inconvenience when checking scanner availability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the scanner directly notifies connected computers of its availability status and current user connections in real-time, allowing users to check scanner status instantly without physical visits or waiting, thereby eliminating time loss while maintaining multi-user access
3Adaptability or versatility
If the scanner IP address changes, then the scanner can be reconfigured, but user connections are disrupted and users cannot access scanned data
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by having the scanner automatically notify all connected computers of its IP address changes before the changes take effect, allowing users and computers to update their records in advance and maintain continuous connections without disruption during IP reconfiguration
4Reliability
If a separate server is used for network scanning, then data storage and user registration are centralized, but the system requires additional hardware and costs more
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the server hardware requirement from the system architecture and replaces it with a distributed approach where the scanner itself performs data storage and user registration functions, eliminating the need for additional server hardware while maintaining centralized data management capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The patent eliminates the need for expensive server hardware by using the scanner's existing processing capabilities and storage memory to perform data management functions, effectively replacing a costly permanent server with a disposable, low-cost approach that uses already-deployed hardware resources
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are a network scanner and a method of organizing and maintaining a network scanning system, which makes a list of users who are currently connected to the network scanner and automatically maintains the users connections to the network scanner even when an Internet protocol (IP) address of the network scanner changes. The method involves (a) enabling the computer to transmit user information to the network scanner, the user information being input by a user of the computer with the use of a client program installed in the computer; (b) enabling the network scanner to receive the user information from the client program; and (c) enabling the network scanner to make a user list by using the received user information.