Remote Printer Screen Display via Intermediary Server
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies face challenges in allowing an external information processing terminal to access and display the screen of a printer connected to a local area network (LAN) due to firewall restrictions, preventing remote access and status monitoring.
Innovation Solution
An information processing terminal is designed to communicate with a server to acquire and display the printer's screen image data, using a management server that relays communication through MQTT or HTTPS protocols, bypassing direct access requirements and firewall restrictions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a firewall is provided to the LAN to which the printer is connected, then network security is improved, but external terminal access to the printer is blocked
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a server as an intermediary between the external terminal and the printer. The server receives display screen image data from the printer via the firewall-protected LAN and transmits it to the external terminal. This mediator approach allows external access without compromising the firewall's security function, as the firewall only needs to allow connections to the server rather than directly to the printer.
2Ease of operation
If direct HTTP/HTTPS communication is used to acquire printer screen images, then access simplicity is improved, but knowledge of the printer's private address is required
Solution Approach 1:
The server acts as an intermediary that eliminates the need for external terminals to know the printer's private address. The external terminal communicates with the server using standard protocols, and the server handles the complex task of retrieving data from the printer using the private address. This abstracts away the private address information from the external terminal user.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the printer screen is made accessible externally, then remote monitoring capability is improved, but network security risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The server serves as a security buffer between the external network and the printer. It receives display screen image data from the printer through the secure LAN connection and provides this data to external terminals. This architecture enables remote monitoring functionality while maintaining security, as the firewall only needs to permit connections to the server, not directly to the printer.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of providing direct access to the printer's display screen, the system creates a copy of the display screen image data and transmits this copy to external terminals. This copying approach allows external viewing without exposing the actual printer or its interface to external access, thereby reducing security risks while maintaining remote monitoring capability.
Data Source
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Figure 3A~3C
AI summary
An information processing terminal capable of communicating with a server, the information processing terminal including: a request unit configured to request a server to acquire first information that have been displayed on a display screen of a printer capable of communicating with the server; an acquisition unit configured to acquire the first information from the server based on a request from the request unit; and a display control unit configured to control a display unit to display the first information acquired by the acquisition unit.