Image Printing System Relay Server Registration via Database Mapping

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing image printing apparatus systems face usability challenges when connected to multiple relay servers, making it difficult to specify the correct relay server for service registration and consumable item management.

Innovation Solution

An information processing system comprising an image printing apparatus, multiple relay servers, management servers, and a database server, where the management servers receive connection notifications, store relay server information, and transmit service registration details to the database server for efficient service registration and consumable item management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the image printing apparatus is connected to multiple relay servers, then the system provides service versatility and redundancy, but it becomes difficult to specify the correct relay server for service registration

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice provision capabilityVSAvoidrelay server specification

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a database server as an intermediary that stores the mapping relationship between image printing apparatus identification information and relay server identification information. When service registration is needed, the service provider server queries the database server to determine which relay server the apparatus is connected to, thereby mediating the connection between the apparatus and the correct relay server without requiring direct specification by the user.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the image printing apparatus is connected to another relay server, then system flexibility is improved, but service registration accuracy deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverelay server selection flexibilityVSAvoidrelay server identification accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements a feedback mechanism where the database server stores and provides information about which relay server an image printing apparatus is currently connected to. When service registration is attempted, the service provider server receives feedback from the database server indicating the correct relay server, allowing the system to adapt to changes in relay server connections while maintaining accurate service registration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS11880616B2Information processing system, control method therefor, and computer-readable storage medium

Publication Date: 2024.01.23 CANON KK

AI summary

An information processing system, comprising an image printing apparatus, relay servers for managing status information of the image printing apparatus, management servers each registering service information in the corresponding relay server, and a database server storing information from the management servers, wherein each management server receives a connection notification including identification information of the image printing apparatus from the corresponding relay server, instructs the database server to store the corresponding relay server in association with the image printing apparatus, and transmits service registration information to the relay server when service registration is received from a service provider server that provides a service based on the status information.