SIP Image-Forming Apparatus Remote Operation Screen Transmission

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Solution Overview

Problem

Image forming apparatuses cannot transmit operation screens to remote operation terminals using the Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) communication protocol, despite being connected via SIP, due to limitations in existing technologies.

Innovation Solution

An image-forming-apparatus remote system that includes a remote operation terminal, an image forming apparatus, and an SIP server, enabling the transmission of operation screen information and allowing remote operation through SIP-based communication sessions, with the remote operation terminal transmitting user information and receiving operation screen data from the image forming apparatus via the SIP server.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the image forming apparatus uses SIP communication protocol for remote connection, then the apparatus can be connected in limited areas such as offices and factories, but the apparatus cannot transmit operation screens to remote operation terminals

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication protocol compatibilityVSAvoidremote operation capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a conversion server as an intermediary component that bridges SIP-based image forming apparatus and TCP/IP-based web browsers. The conversion server receives SIP messages from the image forming apparatus, converts them into HTTP requests, and transmits operation screen data back to the apparatus. This mediator resolves the protocol incompatibility without requiring changes to the existing SIP communication infrastructure or the image forming apparatus itself.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of manufacture

If the image forming apparatus generates operation screens using Web browser over Internet TCP/IP, then the client apparatus can receive and display operation screens without dedicated program installation, but the system cannot operate in limited areas using SIP communication

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation simplicityVSAvoidcommunication protocol flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The conversion server creates a virtual copy of the web browser interface by generating operation screen data that mimics standard web page formats. Instead of requiring the actual web browser rendering engine on the image forming apparatus, the conversion server produces simplified operation screen data structures that can be transmitted over SIP and reconstructed on the client side, effectively copying the essential functionality without the complexity of full browser implementation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentEP3029921B1Image-forming apparatus remote system
Publication Date: 2020.01.22 KYOCERA DOCUMENT SOLUTIONS INC
  • EP3029921B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3029921B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3029921B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Provided is an image forming apparatus that allows a remote operation terminal to operate an image processing apparatus connected by SIP. On this account, the image forming apparatus (100) connected to the remote operation terminal (300) by SIP includes a remote operation-request message receiving part that receive a remote-operation request message from the remote operation terminal (300), a remote-operation response message transmitting part that transmits a remote-operation response message in response to the remote-operation request message, and an operation-screen information transmitting part that transmits operation screen information of the image forming apparatus (100) to the remote operation terminal (300) in accordance with the communication condition of the communication session when an SIP-based communication session is established between the remote operation terminal (300) and the image forming apparatus (100).