Relaying Apparatus Seamless Device Replacement
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Solution Overview
Problem
In existing systems, when an image processing apparatus is replaced due to failure, both the monitoring apparatus and the ordering support apparatus need to update their device IDs, which requires sending change information to the service-providing apparatus, disrupting communication.
Innovation Solution
A relaying apparatus is introduced that manages device information and facilitates communication between image processing apparatuses and a service-providing apparatus without requiring changes to device information, allowing for seamless replacement of image processing apparatuses by updating internal records without notifying the service-providing apparatus.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If device information is updated in both monitoring apparatus and ordering support apparatus when image processing apparatus is replaced, then service continuity can be maintained, but communication disruption occurs due to requiring changes in device ID
Solution Approach 1:
The relaying apparatus acts as an intermediary between the image processing apparatus and the service-providing apparatus. It maintains a mapping relationship between old device IDs and new device IDs in its storage, allowing seamless translation of device identification information. This mediator approach enables service continuity without requiring the service-providing apparatus to be aware of device replacements, thus avoiding communication disruption.
2Measurement precision
If device ID is changed to reflect new image processing apparatus, then accurate identification is achieved, but service access is interrupted during transition
Solution Approach 1:
The relaying apparatus performs preliminary action by pre-establishing and maintaining the mapping relationship between old and new device IDs in its storage before the actual device replacement occurs. When a device replacement is detected, the relaying apparatus already has the mapping information ready, allowing it to immediately translate the new device ID to the corresponding old device ID that the service-providing apparatus recognizes, thus preventing service access interruption.
3Adaptability or versatility
If change of device information is notified to service-providing apparatus, then service can be updated, but communication complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The relaying apparatus extracts the device ID translation function from the communication between image processing apparatus and service-providing apparatus. By taking out the complexity of device ID change management and placing it in the relaying apparatus's storage, the communication protocol between the other components remains simple and unchanged. The service-providing apparatus continues to use the same device ID format without needing to understand or adapt to device replacements.
Data Source
AI summary
In a relaying apparatus, a storage stores a plurality of sets of first device information, and second device information assigned to a first set of first device information identifying one image processing apparatus from among image processing apparatuses. The controller communicates with the one image processing apparatus and a service-providing apparatus. The controller receives replacement request information from the one information processing terminal via the communication interface. The replacement request information including old first device information and new first device information. The old first device information indicates the one image processing apparatus. The new first device information indicates another image processing apparatus. The controller replaces the first set of first device information so that the first set of first device information identifies the another image processing apparatus indicated by the new first device information instead of the one image processing apparatus indicated by the old first device information.