Service Intermediation Apparatus for Image Forming Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses face challenges in detecting events and immediately responding to them, especially when providing services via cloud computing, due to communication load and firewall considerations, making it difficult to effectively manage and control the apparatuses.
Innovation Solution
An information processing system that includes a service intermediation apparatus connected to both user and service environments via a network, which manages service identification, program installation, and communication to ensure seamless integration and control of image forming apparatuses, using a service intermediation apparatus to handle requests and installations of Web plugins for services like limited scan usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If cloud computing service is provided via network for image forming apparatus, then added value to user is enhanced, but communication load and firewall restrictions make immediate event detection and control difficult
Solution Approach 1:
A service intermediary apparatus is introduced between the cloud service and the image forming apparatus. This intermediary receives service usage requests from the cloud, manages program distribution, and handles apparatus control commands, thereby reducing direct communication complexity between cloud and apparatus while enabling versatile service delivery
2Ease of operation
If program is automatically installed in apparatus via network, then service deployment is simplified, but communication traffic increases
Solution Approach 1:
The service intermediary apparatus pre-processes program installation requests and manages software distribution before apparatus execution. By preparing and staging programs through the intermediary, the system reduces redundant communication traffic while maintaining automated installation capability
Solution Approach 2:
The service intermediary creates and manages copies of programs locally before deployment to apparatus. This copying mechanism allows efficient program distribution through the intermediary's storage, reducing repeated network traffic for the same program data
Data Source
AI summary
A disclosed information processing system includes an apparatus and an information processing apparatus including a service information memory unit storing service identification information identifying a service provided for the apparatus and program identification information for identifying a program required to be installed in the apparatus, a correspondence setup unit storing the apparatus identification information for identifying the apparatus and the service identification information upon a receipt of a usage request in which the apparatus identification information and the service identification information are designated, a communication unit requesting installation of a program related to the program identification information stored in the service information memory unit, and a program administrating unit returning the program related to the program identification information designated in the acquisition request, in response to the acquisition request for the program from the apparatus, wherein the program causes the apparatus to send information related to the apparatus.