Printer Port Priority Management for Status Data Redundancy
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Solution Overview
Problem
In image forming apparatuses connected to multiple communication ports, redundant status information is accumulated, leading to inappropriate management, and existing solutions fail to prevent non-acquisition of status information when the management terminal is not started up.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus with a determining unit to assess communication port priorities and send status information only through the highest priority port, and a management system that identifies and eliminates redundant status information by adding device identification to the status information sent to the management device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If status information is sent to all connected information processing terminals, then all terminals can access status information, but redundant status information is accumulated in the management device
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the information processing terminals into two categories: management terminals (designated for managing the image forming apparatus) and non-management terminals. This segmentation is achieved through predetermined designation, allowing the system to differentiate between terminals that should receive status information and those that should not, thereby preventing redundant data accumulation while maintaining accessibility for authorized terminals.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by assigning different properties to different terminals based on their designated roles. Management terminals are given the property of receiving status information, while non-management terminals are excluded from receiving such information. This localized differentiation ensures that status information is distributed only where needed, eliminating redundancy while preserving necessary accessibility.
2Quantity of substance
If a specific management information processing terminal is designated to receive status information, then redundant data is prevented, but status information cannot be acquired when the management terminal is not started up
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamics by allowing any connected information processing terminal to temporarily assume the role of receiving status information when the designated management terminal is unavailable. The determining unit dynamically identifies whether the requesting terminal is the designated management terminal, and if not, whether the management terminal is currently connected. Based on this dynamic assessment, the system adapts its response to ensure continuous status information availability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action through predetermined designation of management terminals. Before any status information request occurs, the system has already identified which terminals are authorized as management terminals. This pre-established knowledge allows the determining unit to quickly assess the current situation and make appropriate decisions without delay, ensuring that status information can be acquired even when the primary management terminal is not started up.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple information processing terminals are connected to the image forming apparatus, then communication versatility is improved, but status information management becomes inappropriate due to redundancy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the multiple connected terminals based on their designation status, clearly separating management terminals from non-management terminals. This segmentation simplifies the management of status information by establishing a clear rule: only designated management terminals receive status information. The determining unit applies this segmentation logic to automatically filter requests, reducing management complexity despite multiple connections.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by assigning different information reception permissions to different terminals based on their designated roles. Each terminal is evaluated individually against the predetermined management terminal designations, and only those with the appropriate local quality (designation status) are granted access to status information. This approach maintains communication versatility while simplifying status information management through role-based differentiation.
Data Source
AI summary
When an inquiry of a device state is received at a first communication port from an information processing terminals, a corresponding printer determines whether a second communication port that is communicably connected to the information processing terminal is present besides the first communication port, and if the second communication port is present, determines whether the first communication port is a communication port of the highest priority among the communication ports currently connected to the communicable terminals, and if the second communication port is not present or the first communication port is the communication port of the highest priority, makes the status information expressing the operation state of the device be sent from the first communication port to the information processing terminal that inquired the device state.