Server Device Managing Operation Environment for Remote Image Forming
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Users face limitations in accessing image forming devices with familiar operation screens and methods when operating remotely, as each device has unique operation settings, restricting usability across different devices and locations.
Innovation Solution
A server device manages task execution devices and operating devices by storing task execution device information and operation environment data, allowing users to select devices based on task requirements and providing customized operation environments, enabling execution of tasks across multiple devices with consistent user interfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If users operate image forming devices remotely from different locations using various operating devices, then accessibility and flexibility are improved, but operation screen consistency and ease of use deteriorate due to device-specific operation settings
Solution Approach 1:
A server device is introduced as an intermediary between the user's operating device and the image forming device. The server manages operation environment information and transmits customized operation screens to the user's device, ensuring consistent and familiar operation interfaces regardless of the physical location or specific device used, while maintaining device-specific functionality
2Ease of operation
If each image forming device has customized operation settings tailored to specific users, then user-specific usability is improved, but device versatility and adaptability worsen as users are limited to specific devices
Solution Approach 1:
The server device provides universal access to customized operation environments across multiple image forming devices. By storing and managing operation environment information centrally, the system enables users to access their customized operation screens and settings on any operating device (smartphones, tablets, computers) from any location, making the customized experience portable and device-agnostic
Data Source
AI summary
Certain embodiments provide a server device including: a first storage section which stores task execution device information for each of the identification information items of a plurality of task execution devices; a second storage section which stores operation environment information for each identification information item of an operating device; a receiving section which receives a requested task from the operating device to the task execution device; and a providing section which examines whether or not the requested task is executable and provides an examination result and the operation environment information corresponding to identification information to the operating device.