Communication Interface Segmentation for Printer Server Connectivity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems for image forming apparatuses, such as printers, fail to ensure user convenience when communication with a management server is impossible, as they do not account for situations where the apparatus cannot transmit information due to communication failures.

Innovation Solution

A control apparatus with a processor and memory that sets a second communication interface of a communicating apparatus to enable communication with a management server when the first interface used for local connection differs from the interface required for communication with the server, allowing automatic or manual configuration to establish a connection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the printer uses a single interface for both local connection and server communication, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability to different communication scenarios deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication interface configurationVSAvoidcommunication scenario adaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The communication interface is segmented into two distinct interfaces: a first interface for local connections (USB, Bluetooth) and a second interface for server communications (Wi-Fi, Ethernet). This segmentation allows each interface to be optimized for its specific communication scenario, resolving the contradiction between device simplicity and communication adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically selects which interface to use based on the communication scenario. The control apparatus determines whether to use the first or second interface depending on whether the task is local connection or server communication, making the system adaptable without requiring complex manual configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If the system requires manual configuration of communication interfaces, then the ease of operation decreases, but the reliability of communication setup improves

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication setup reliabilityVSAvoidinterface configuration ease

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The control apparatus automatically performs interface selection and configuration without requiring user intervention. The system self-determines the appropriate interface based on the communication scenario and self-configures the connection, eliminating manual setup steps while maintaining reliable communications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates feedback mechanisms to detect the current communication scenario and automatically adjust interface selection accordingly. The control apparatus monitors connection status and communication requirements, using this feedback to make intelligent interface selection decisions that ensure reliable communication.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS11159697B2Control apparatus, control method, and non-transitory computer-readable storage medium

Publication Date: 2021.10.26 CANON KK

AI summary

In a case in which a communicating apparatus connected to an information processing apparatus using a first interface supports a predetermined service, and a second interface of the communicating apparatus, which is to be used when the communicating apparatus communicates, for the predetermined service, with another apparatus different from the information processing apparatus, is different from the first interface, a control apparatus sets the second interface of the communicating apparatus to enable communication with the other apparatus.