Proxy Protocol Response for Image Printer Power Saving
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image forming systems cannot shift to a power-saving state while performing service discovery protocols, as they need to maintain continuous electricity to respond to search commands, leading to increased power consumption.
Innovation Solution
A management system that designates one image processing apparatus as an in-charge device for each protocol, allowing it to respond to multicast packets on behalf of others, while other apparatuses refrain from responding, enabling power-saving mode without compromising service availability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If image processing apparatuses continuously respond to service discovery protocol packets, then service availability is maintained, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple image processing apparatuses merge their protocol response functions by designating one apparatus as the in-charge device that responds to multicast packets on behalf of all apparatuses. This combines the response functionality of multiple devices into a single active response source, allowing other apparatuses to enter power-saving states while maintaining service availability through the proxy response mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The in-charge device acts as an intermediary or proxy that receives multicast packets and generates response packets on behalf of other image processing apparatuses. This intermediary mechanism allows non-in-charge apparatuses to remain inactive (in power-saving mode) while still being discoverable through the proxy's responses, thus resolving the contradiction between service availability and power consumption.
2Use of energy by moving object
If image processing apparatuses enter power-saving state, then power consumption is reduced, but ability to respond to search commands deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The in-charge device performs self-service by continuously monitoring for multicast packets and generating responses on behalf of other apparatuses. This self-service mechanism allows the system to maintain response capability without requiring all apparatuses to remain active, as the in-charge device independently handles the protocol communication while other apparatuses save power.
Solution Approach 2:
The in-charge device assumes multiple functions: it responds to service discovery protocol packets, represents other apparatuses in the network, and enables power-saving operation for non-in-charge devices. This multi-functionality consolidates response capability into a single apparatus while allowing others to enter power-saving states, resolving the contradiction between power consumption and response capability.
Data Source
AI summary
A controller of a management device managing a plurality of image processing apparatuses acquires ability information and device identification information from the respective image processing apparatuses; determines, based on the ability information of the respective image processing apparatuses, as an in-charge device any one of the respective image processing apparatuses for each of a plurality of protocols predetermined; for the respective protocols, causes the in-charge device determined for the protocol to respond to a packet by multicast of the protocol on behalf of the respective image processing apparatuses; and causes one or more image processing apparatuses other than the in-charge device determined for the protocol to refrain from responding to a packet by multicast of the protocol. The respective image processing apparatuses respond to a packet by multicast of the protocol if the apparatus itself is determined the in-charge device for the protocol.