Printing Machine MAC Address Change Detection

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing printing systems fail to determine whether to perform an initial configuration or user registration when MAC addresses change, leading to unnecessary settings or malfunctions, especially during relocation or changes in user entities.

Innovation Solution

A printing machine that stores MAC addresses and, upon startup, determines whether to execute an initial configuration or user registration process based on changes in connected terminals, and notifies maintenance contacts if the machine is under contract when significant changes occur, thereby automating necessary settings and ensuring proper maintenance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the printing machine performs initial configuration every time MAC addresses change, then the printing machine can be properly set up for relocation or entity conversion, but unnecessary configuration time is wasted when only new users are added

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprinting machine setup correctnessVSAvoidconfiguration time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs only the necessary configuration actions based on the degree of MAC address change. When the number of changed MAC addresses exceeds a threshold, full initial configuration is performed. When fewer MAC addresses change, only user registration is performed. This avoids excessive configuration actions while ensuring proper setup when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the configuration process parameters based on the number of MAC address changes. By comparing the count of changed MAC addresses against a predetermined threshold, the system dynamically selects between two configuration modes: full initial configuration or partial user registration only. This parameter-based decision resolves the contradiction between thorough setup and time efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Loss of time

If the printing machine performs only user registration when MAC addresses change, then setting time is shortened, but necessary initial configuration may be omitted causing printing malfunctions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesetting timeVSAvoidprinting function correctness

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs only the necessary configuration actions based on the degree of MAC address change. When the number of changed MAC addresses exceeds a threshold, full initial configuration is performed. When fewer MAC addresses change, only user registration is performed. This avoids excessive configuration actions while ensuring proper setup when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from MAC address comparison to determine the appropriate configuration process. By monitoring the number of changed MAC addresses and comparing it against a threshold, the system receives feedback about the extent of changes and adjusts its configuration actions accordingly, ensuring neither omission nor redundancy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Ease of operation

If users manually determine whether to perform initial configuration or user registration, then flexibility is provided, but users may make wrong decisions leading to useless settings or printing malfunctions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser choice flexibilityVSAvoidconfiguration correctness

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The printing machine automatically determines whether to perform initial configuration or user registration by comparing MAC addresses itself, without requiring user judgment. The system serves itself by autonomously assessing the situation and selecting the appropriate configuration process, eliminating the risk of user error while maintaining operational flexibility through automated decision-making.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from MAC address comparison to determine the appropriate configuration process. By monitoring the number of changed MAC addresses and comparing it against a threshold, the system receives feedback about the extent of changes and adjusts its configuration actions accordingly, ensuring neither omission nor redundancy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS10120622B2Printing machine

Publication Date: 2018.11.06 RISO KAGAKU CORP

AI summary

A printing machine includes a storing unit, a determination section, and an execution section. The storing unit stores MAC addresses of information processing machines when the power is turned off. The determination section collects MAC addresses of information processing machines through a network when the printing machine is turned on. The determination section determines which of an initial configuration support process and a registration support process is to be executed on the basis of the number of changes in a comparison of the MAC address collected and the MAC address stored in the storing unit, the initial configuration support process supporting an execution of an initial configuration of the printing machine, the registration support process supporting an execution of a registration process of the terminal. The execution section executes a process determined by the determination section.