PWA-Based Remote Settings Sync for Powered-Off Network Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing network devices, such as image forming apparatuses, cannot be remotely configured when they are powered off, necessitating users to wait until they are operational to change settings via a remote UI.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a progressive web app (PWA) on a user terminal that allows setting changes to be made via a network, with setting values being reflected in the network device even when the device is off, using push notifications to synchronize changes upon powering on.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by stationary object
If the network device is powered off to save energy, then energy consumption is reduced, but the device cannot receive remote configuration requests or reflect setting changes
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by storing setting requests locally in the terminal device when the network device is off. The setting screen is generated and settings are registered in advance, so that when the network device powers on, the pre-stored settings can be automatically applied without requiring the device to be continuously powered on for configuration.
2Ease of operation
If the network device must be powered on to change settings remotely, then settings can be changed immediately, but users must wait until the device is operational causing time loss
Solution Approach 1:
The terminal device performs preliminary actions by generating the setting screen and storing setting requests before the network device is powered on. This allows users to configure settings in advance, and the settings are automatically transmitted and applied when the device starts up, eliminating the need to wait for the device to be operational.
Solution Approach 2:
The terminal device acts as an intermediary by locally storing and managing setting requests. Instead of requiring direct real-time communication between the user and the network device, the terminal device mediates the setting process by holding the settings locally and automatically transmitting them when the network device is available.
3Reliability
If the setting screen is only provided when the network device is operational, then the device can process settings, but users cannot access the setting screen when the device is off
Solution Approach 1:
The terminal device serves as an intermediary that hosts the setting screen locally using a web server. Users can access the setting screen through the terminal device even when the network device is off. The terminal device mediates between the user and the network device by storing setting requests and transmitting them when the network device becomes available, ensuring both accessibility and reliable processing.
Data Source
AI summary
A network device provides a web browser with a setting screen for operating setting values of a plurality of setting items using the web server and reflects the setting values in the network device in response to an operation of the setting values. The network device provides a web site for installing software that is a progressive web app for providing a function of operating setting values of at least one setting item among the plurality of setting items in a user terminal by the web server. The network device reflects at least one setting value in response to reception of detail of the operation at least one of the setting values performed using the progressive web app from the user terminal regardless of whether the setting screen has been provided.