Peer-to-Peer Printing Device Management Without Dedicated Servers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current printing device management solutions, whether local or cloud-based, are costly and resource-intensive, especially for smaller organizations with fewer devices, and often require complex server management or security concerns.

Innovation Solution

A peer-to-peer printing system where devices can query and synchronize software and configuration information with each other, allowing for software upgrades and installations without the need for a dedicated server, using existing devices as sources for updates and authentication.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If a dedicated server is deployed for printing device management, then software upgrades, application installations, and device configurations can be performed centrally, but additional resources and manpower are required for server management

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecentralized management capabilityVSAvoidserver management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the server management function from the system by enabling printing devices to perform management tasks autonomously. Each printing device queries others for software version information and independently determines and executes upgrades, eliminating the need for a dedicated management server and its associated complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The printing devices perform self-management by automatically querying peer devices for software version information, comparing versions, and executing upgrades independently. This self-service approach eliminates the need for centralized server management while maintaining consistent software versions across the network.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Extent of automation

If cloud solutions are used for printing device management, then centralized management functions are provided, but security concerns arise

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecentralized management capabilityVSAvoidsecurity risks

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the cloud-based management layer entirely, extracting management functions from external services and implementing them locally within the printing device network. Devices query and compare software versions with peer devices and execute upgrades autonomously, eliminating security risks associated with cloud connectivity and data transmission.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Each printing device performs self-management by locally querying peer devices for software version information and independently executing upgrades. This localized self-service approach eliminates the need for cloud-based management while maintaining consistent software versions across the network.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If local management solutions are implemented, then printing devices can be managed without cloud dependency, but a dedicated server requires additional resources and manpower

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanagement system reliabilityVSAvoidadditional resources required

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the management server component from the system, enabling printing devices to perform management functions autonomously. Devices query peer devices for software version information and independently execute upgrades, eliminating the need for additional server hardware and associated resources.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Printing devices perform self-management by automatically querying peer devices, comparing software versions, and executing upgrades independently. This eliminates the need for dedicated server resources while maintaining reliable management of the printing network.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Quantity of substance

If peer-to-peer management is implemented, then costs are reduced by eliminating dedicated servers, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresources requiredVSAvoiddevice management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Each printing device performs self-management by automatically querying peer devices for software version information, comparing versions, and executing upgrades independently. This peer-to-peer self-service approach reduces resource requirements while distributing management complexity across individual devices rather than requiring centralized server infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS12118258B2Methods and printing system for peer-to-peer printing device management

Publication Date: 2024.10.15 KYOCERA DOCUMENT SOLUTIONS INC

AI summary

A printing system implements a peer to peer network to manage resources between printing devices, such as configuration settings, software programs, or multifunctional printer (MFP) applications. When a printing device is added to the peer to peer network, it queries an existing printing device for information about its resources. Such information includes versions of the software programs. The information is used to compare the resources at the added printing device to those within the peer to peer network, using the existing printing device. Any differences are resolved by upgrading the resources at the added printing device by retrieving them within the peer to peer network.