Server-Based Timestamp Correction for Data Consistency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional information processing systems fail to properly manage data changes when multiple information processing apparatuses modify the same data simultaneously and when clock synchronization issues occur, leading to inconsistencies in data processing.
Innovation Solution
An information processing apparatus and image forming apparatus system that synchronizes data changes by using a server to manage setting information with date and time corrections, ensuring that updates are processed based on a reference time, even when multiple devices request changes in random order and clock times differ.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple information processing apparatuses transmit data changes in random order without clock synchronization, then device independence and flexibility are improved, but data consistency and processing accuracy deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a server as an intermediary that receives data changes from multiple information processing apparatuses, stores them with timestamps, and distributes them in chronological order. This mediator resolves the conflict between device independence (random transmission) and data consistency (ordered processing) by centralizing the ordering function without constraining individual device autonomy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by having the server store data changes with timestamps before distribution. The timestamp attachment occurs in advance, enabling subsequent chronological ordering and consistent processing across all devices without requiring synchronized clocks during the actual data change transmission.
2Ease of operation
If clock times are not synchronized across devices, then device autonomy is maintained, but time-based data ordering becomes unreliable
Solution Approach 1:
The server acts as a time reference intermediary that provides a common time baseline for all devices. Instead of requiring devices to synchronize their clocks (which would reduce autonomy), the server uses its own time to order and distribute data changes, making time synchronization reliable without compromising device independence.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the time synchronization function from the individual devices and concentrates it in the server. This separation allows devices to maintain autonomy while the server provides centralized time-based ordering, effectively removing the time synchronization burden from distributed devices.
3Productivity
If data changes are processed in transmission order rather than chronological order, then processing simplicity is improved, but data accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The server performs preliminary ordering of data changes by timestamp before distribution to devices. This advance sorting ensures that when devices receive and process data changes, they do so in the correct chronological order without requiring complex local sorting logic, maintaining both processing efficiency and data accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses timestamp feedback to ensure correct processing order. Each data change is tagged with a timestamp, and the server uses this feedback information to order and distribute changes chronologically, ensuring that devices process data in the correct sequence while maintaining simple processing logic.
Data Source
AI summary
In a case where an image forming apparatus is connected to an information processing apparatus, correction information is generated through comparison between time information obtained by the image forming apparatus and time information obtained by the information processing apparatus. The image forming apparatus transmits, to the information processing apparatus, time information indicating a time at which setting information is updated in the image forming apparatus. The information processing apparatus corrects the received time information with the correction information. The information processing apparatus determines whether to update setting information stored in the information processing apparatus with received setting information, based on the corrected time information.