Server Intermediary for Image Forming Device State Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional network systems cannot set different notification conditions for multiple service centers accessing information from image forming devices, limiting the ability to manage and transmit device state information effectively across various service providers.
Innovation Solution
A server system that receives and stores service identification, device identification, and transmission conditions from service providing apparatuses, allowing it to transmit specific type and transmission condition information to identified information devices, which then transmit device state information back to the server for association and forwarding to appropriate service providers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple service centers access information from image forming devices, then the ability to receive device state information is improved, but the complexity of managing different notification conditions worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a server as an intermediary between image forming devices and multiple service centers. The server stores service management information including notification conditions for each service center, and manages the transmission of device state information according to these conditions. This intermediary approach allows multiple service centers to access device information without each device needing to independently manage multiple sets of notification conditions, thereby reducing complexity while maintaining adaptability.
2Ease of operation
If notification conditions are set at the image forming apparatus, then the ability to transmit specific device state information is improved, but the ease of registration of authentication information worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the authentication information management and notification condition settings into a centralized location on the server rather than distributing them across multiple image forming devices. The server stores service management information that includes authentication information and notification conditions for each service center. This consolidation simplifies the registration process as authentication information needs to be registered only once on the server rather than on each individual device.
3Measurement precision
If each service center sets different notification conditions, then the precision of service management is improved, but the productivity of information transmission worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by having the server store and pre-configure service management information including notification conditions for each service center before actual device state information transmission occurs. The server receives and stores the service center's identification, device identification, type information, and transmission conditions in advance. When device state information becomes available, the server can immediately transmit it to the appropriate service centers according to the pre-configured conditions, eliminating the need for real-time condition checking and improving transmission productivity while maintaining precise service management.
Data Source
AI summary
A server may receive information from one or more service providing apparatuses. Computer-readable instructions may cause the server to store device identification information, type information, and/or a transmission condition in association with service identification information. The server may receive device state information from one or more information devices when an information device determines that a transmission condition is satisfied. The server may also store the received device state information in association with device identification information identifying a specific information device, which transmitted the device state information. Further, the server may transmit, to a specific service providing apparatus, identified by specific service identification information, the device state information stored in association with the specific service identification information.