Remote Session Control for Image Forming Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for remote communication between image forming apparatuses and electronic devices outside their local network lack secure and efficient methods for establishing and managing sessions, particularly when controlling image forming apparatuses from external devices.
Innovation Solution
A remote communication control system that includes a session relay system and a session management unit, which relays sessions between image forming apparatuses and external devices using a Peer to Peer connection, ensuring secure communication by associating connections through a session ID and managing sessions via a cloud service, and requiring user approval for application installations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If remote session is established between image forming apparatus and external device, then ease of operation is improved, but security deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a session relay system as an intermediary component that mediates between the image forming apparatus and external devices. This relay system establishes sessions through the image forming apparatus without requiring direct network exposure of the apparatus to external devices, thereby maintaining security while enabling remote control functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the communication architecture by separating the session management function from the direct data transmission path. The session relay system handles session establishment and management independently, allowing secure remote operations without exposing the image forming apparatus directly to external networks.
2Adaptability or versatility
If application is installed on image forming apparatus to enable session, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The session relay system automatically manages application installation on the image forming apparatus without requiring manual intervention from users or administrators. The system self-services by detecting session requirements and automatically installing necessary applications, thereby maintaining adaptability while reducing operational complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-configuring the session relay system to automatically handle application installation before sessions are needed. The system prepares and installs required applications in advance, eliminating the need for users to manually install applications and reducing overall system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A remote communication control system includes a session relay system and a session management unit. The session relay system relays a session between an image forming apparatus and an electronic device by associating a connection established with the image forming apparatus with a connection established with the electronic device. The electronic device is located outside a network to which the image forming apparatus belongs. The session management unit manages the session. When the electronic device requests a start of the session, the session management unit causes the image forming apparatus to install an application required to establish the session.