Short-Range Device Tracking via Network Traffic Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current device management systems fail to effectively detect and track devices moved within an enterprise or office environment, leading to difficulties in support and maintenance due to the lack of real-time location updates, especially for devices like printers and MFPs that can be easily relocated.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a host terminal and a device management server that communicates via both network and short-range communication protocols to identify, record, and track missing or relocated devices by matching device identifiers and updating records, with the host terminal alerting users and administrators of device locations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If devices are configured for plug-and-play with automatic network connection, then ease of operation is improved, but device tracking capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring network traffic and device communications to automatically detect and report device location changes to administrators, ensuring administrators are informed of device movements without requiring manual configuration
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service by automatically detecting device movements through monitoring communications and network traffic, eliminating the need for administrators to manually track or configure tracking on each device
2Measurement precision
If device movement detection is implemented through manual monitoring, then measurement precision is improved, but productivity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service by automatically detecting device movements through monitoring communications and network traffic, eliminating the need for administrators to manually track or configure tracking on each device
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces manual mechanical monitoring with automated electronic detection by analyzing network traffic patterns and device communications to identify location changes, significantly reducing administrative workload
Data Source
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Figure 1B
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AI summary
Host terminals of a device management application (or other mobile application) are configured to obtain a missing devices list from a device management server, and to communicate, via short-range point-to-point communication with an output device, when the output device is within a short-range communication range threshold, to obtain a device identifier of the output device. The device management application compares the device identifier of the output device with device identifiers on the missing devices list, and when such comparison indicates that the output device corresponds to a missing device, marks the output device as a missing device in a tracked device record, and records an approximated location of the output device in the tracked device record. When connected to the device management server, the device management application transmits the tracked device record to the device management server.