Relay Server Setting Execution Conflict Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
In image processing systems, setting devices such as MFPs can be challenging due to the need for power-on status and potential conflicts with external settings, especially when devices are offline or powered off, leading to issues with setting information transmission and execution.
Innovation Solution
An operation execution system and relay server configuration that allows setting information to be transmitted and stored securely, with the relay server determining device connectivity and prioritizing setting information based on attempted and unattempted status, ensuring settings are made correctly regardless of device status, using a connection-establishment type protocol for communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the relay server memorizes setting status and determines setting capability based on memorized status, then setting can be made in the device irrespective of device power status, but setting conflicts may occur when multiple service providing servers transmit setting information
Solution Approach 1:
The relay server performs preliminary determination of device setting capability before transmitting setting information from service providing servers. The server checks whether the device can accept settings based on memorized power status and communication state, and only transmits setting information when the device is determined to be in a capable state, thereby preventing setting conflicts.
Solution Approach 2:
The relay server maintains memorized status information about device power state and communication capability, using this feedback to control when setting information is transmitted. The server continuously updates and references this status memory to make informed decisions about setting information transmission timing, ensuring settings are only applied when the device is ready.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the service providing server transmits setting information to the device via the relay server, then setting can be made irrespective of device situation, but the device may receive setting information when not requested or when already set by another server
Solution Approach 1:
The relay server performs preliminary checks before transmitting setting information to determine if the device has requested settings and whether the device is in a state to receive them. The server consults memorized device status and communication state to ensure setting information is only transmitted when appropriate, preventing unnecessary or conflicting settings.
Solution Approach 2:
The relay server acts as an intermediary between service providing servers and the device, controlling the flow of setting information. It mediates by filtering and timing transmissions based on device status and requests, ensuring that setting information reaches the device only when it is needed and can be properly applied, thereby maintaining information accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
An operation execution system including a relay server configured, upon reception of setting information transmitted from a service providing server, to store the setting information in its server memory, such that the stored setting information is associated with device specifying information. In case where the relay server is not communicable with a device specified by the device specifying information, the relay server transmits the setting information stored in the server memory, to the device, when the device has become communicable with the relay server. The relay server, which receives result information from the device, associates the setting information corresponding to the result information that has not yet been received, with setting-unattempted-status information, and associates the setting information corresponding to the result information that has been received, with setting-attempted-status information.