Remote Management Agent for Dynamic Protocol Translation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing remote management systems face challenges in efficiently managing electronic devices behind firewalls from remote locations, as they require manual configuration and specific communication protocols for each device, making it difficult to add new devices and maintain secure communication paths.

Innovation Solution

A remote management system that includes a remote management agent apparatus and device agent apparatus, which use mapping information and communication mode definition to dynamically identify and communicate with management target devices, supporting various communication protocols and allowing for easy addition of new devices by registering communication mode and settings dynamically.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual configuration and specific communication protocols are used for each device, then secure communication paths are maintained, but device complexity and difficulty of adding new devices increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecure communicationVSAvoidconfiguration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The remote management agent apparatus is designed to universally manage multiple different electronic devices through a single interface. It supports various communication protocols (HTTP, HTTPS, SNMP, TCP, UDP) and can dynamically adapt to different device types without requiring separate configuration systems for each device category, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining secure communication.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The remote management agent apparatus acts as an intermediary between the remote management device and the electronic devices behind the firewall. It receives management commands from the remote device, translates them into appropriate protocol-specific commands for target devices, and forwards responses back. This mediation simplifies the configuration process by centralizing protocol translation logic in the agent rather than requiring complex configuration at each device endpoint.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If manual configuration is required for each device, then communication security is maintained, but ease of operation and time to add new devices deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication securityVSAvoidease of adding devices
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The remote management agent apparatus dynamically adapts its behavior based on the type of electronic device being managed. It automatically detects the target device type from the management command and selects the appropriate communication protocol and configuration parameters at runtime, eliminating the need for static pre-configuration for each device type and enabling rapid addition of new devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-service addition of new devices through automatic device type detection. When a new electronic device is added to the network, the remote management agent automatically detects its type and configures the appropriate communication settings without requiring manual administrator intervention for each device, thereby improving ease of operation while maintaining security through automated protocol selection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Measurement precision

If device-specific communication protocols are used, then communication precision is maintained, but adaptability to different device types decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication precisionVSAvoiddevice compatibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The remote management agent apparatus changes its communication parameters dynamically based on the target device type. It maintains communication precision by selecting the appropriate protocol parameters (such as HTTP headers, SNMP OIDs, TCP ports, UDP ports) specific to each device type, while simultaneously achieving versatility by supporting multiple protocol families. The agent transforms a single management command into device-specific commands with appropriate protocol parameters.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Adaptability or versatility

If multiple communication protocols are supported, then versatility increases, but device complexity and configuration difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotocol supportVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The remote management agent apparatus segments the protocol handling logic into separate modules for each communication protocol (HTTP, HTTPS, SNMP, TCP, UDP). Each protocol handler is an independent component that processes commands specific to its protocol type. This segmentation allows the system to support multiple protocols without increasing overall complexity, as each protocol is managed by its dedicated module within the unified agent architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3379773B1Remote management agent apparatus, remote management system, remote management method, and program
Publication Date: 2021.01.27 RICOH CO LTD
  • EP3379773B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3379773B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3379773B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A remote management agent apparatus for a remote management system is provided. The remote management system includes a remote device management apparatus and a management target device managed by the remote device management apparatus remotely. The remote management agent apparatus includes a request data receiver configured to receive request data issued from the remote device management apparatus to the management target device, a device agent apparatus identifying unit configured to identify a device agent apparatus capable of communicating in compliance with a communication mode supported by the management target device, and a request data forwarder configured to forward the request data, received by the request data receiver, to the device agent apparatus identified by the device agent apparatus identifying unit.