Printer Search via Global IP Network Address Matching

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing printer searching systems are inefficient in identifying nearby printers, as they rely on manual registration of printer addresses and may not accurately determine proximity based on IP addresses.

Innovation Solution

A printer searching device and method that utilizes global and private IP address matching to identify nearby printers by comparing network address parts, enhancing the likelihood of finding printers in vicinity through advanced IP address analysis.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual registration of printer addresses is used, then system implementation is simple, but search accuracy and automation are poor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprinter location detection accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables printers to automatically register themselves with the search server using their global IP addresses without requiring manual administrator intervention. The printer searching device autonomously performs IP address analysis and proximity determination, eliminating manual input while maintaining system simplicity through automated self-service mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical registration processes with automated electronic IP address-based search mechanisms. By substituting manual address input with automated global IP address analysis, the system achieves higher search accuracy while reducing operational complexity through electronic automation rather than mechanical manual procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If IP address matching is used to determine printer proximity, then search automation improves, but accuracy may be insufficient without advanced analysis

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprinter search efficiencyVSAvoidprinter proximity determination accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the IP address into multiple components (global IP address, network address part, host address part) and performs hierarchical matching. By dividing the IP address analysis into segments, the system can efficiently automate the search process while maintaining high accuracy through multi-level comparison of network and host portions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent adds dimensional depth to IP address matching by comparing both network address parts and host address parts separately. This multi-dimensional approach enhances search efficiency through automated hierarchical matching while improving accuracy by analyzing multiple address components rather than treating the IP address as a single undifferentiated value.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Measurement precision

If entire global IP address matching is performed, then proximity determination accuracy increases, but search scope and adaptability decrease

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprinter location matching accuracyVSAvoidsearch flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic matching criteria that can adapt between partial network address matching and entire IP address matching based on search requirements. The system dynamically adjusts the scope of IP address comparison, allowing flexible switching between broad network-level searches and precise host-level matching, thereby maintaining both accuracy and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the matching parameter from fixed entire IP address comparison to variable partial IP address comparison. By allowing the matching scope to be adjusted between network address part only, host address part only, or entire IP address, the system achieves high precision when needed while maintaining search flexibility and adaptability through parameter variation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP2372979B1Printer searching device and method
Publication Date: 2017.04.26 BROTHER KOGYO KK
  • EP2372979B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2372979B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2372979B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A printer searching device (10) may comprise a first acquiring unit (30), a second acquiring unit (32), a searching unit (34), and a providing unit (36). The first acquiring unit (30) may acquire a plurality of a first kind of global IP addresses that is allotted to a plurality of printers (70, 80, 82, 90, 92) and register the plurality of the first kind of global IP addresses to a memory (14). The second acquiring unit (32) may acquire a second kind of global IP address that is allotted to the terminal device (60). The searching unit (34) may search, from the plurality of printers (70, 80, 82, 90, 92), one or more printers to which a value that is identical to a value of a network address part of the second kind of global IP address is allotted as a value of a network address part of the first kind of global IP address. The providing unit (36) may provide a search result to the terminal device (60).