Staggered Electronic Certificate Acquisition Timing

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing techniques for updating electronic certificates face network congestion and server failures due to simultaneous requests from multiple information processing apparatuses, leading to delays and interruptions in certificate authority services.

Innovation Solution

An information processing apparatus is configured to automatically adjust the timing of electronic certificate acquisition requests, distributing these requests across a range of times to prevent simultaneous transmissions, using a protocol like SCEP, and adjusting the request timing based on the number of connected devices to manage network traffic effectively.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If multiple information processing apparatuses transmit electronic certificate issuance requests at the same time, then automatic certificate acquisition is achieved, but network congestion occurs and server response is delayed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomatic certificate acquisitionVSAvoidnetwork stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic action by setting different timing intervals for certificate issuance requests based on the number of apparatuses in the network. Each apparatus transmits requests at staggered intervals rather than simultaneously, converting a single concentrated action into multiple periodic actions distributed over time. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining automatic acquisition while preventing network congestion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies dynamics by making the request timing flexible and adaptive rather than fixed. The transmission timing is dynamically adjusted based on the number of information processing apparatuses detected in the network, allowing the system to adapt its behavior to current network conditions. This resolves the contradiction by enabling automatic acquisition while adjusting timing to maintain network stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If a large number of electronic certificate issuance requests are transmitted simultaneously, then certificate updates are performed across all apparatuses, but server interruption occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecertificate update efficiencyVSAvoidserver availability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the simultaneous certificate update action into multiple segmented requests transmitted at different times. Instead of all apparatuses updating certificates at once, the system segments the update process by controlling each apparatus to transmit its request at a different timing interval, preventing server overload while maintaining overall update efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses periodic action to space out certificate issuance requests over time intervals. By implementing periodic transmission timing based on the number of apparatuses, the system maintains productive certificate updates while preventing server interruption through distributed timing, resolving the contradiction between update efficiency and server availability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

3Ease of operation

If certificate acquisition timing is set uniformly for all apparatuses, then centralized control is achieved, but network congestion and processing delays occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecentralized timing controlVSAvoidcertificate acquisition delay
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by transitioning from static uniform timing to dynamic adaptive timing. The system maintains centralized control through the controller but dynamically adjusts each apparatus's request timing based on the number of apparatuses in the network. This resolves the contradiction by preserving ease of centralized operation while eliminating processing delays through adaptive timing adjustment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements parameter changes by modifying the timing parameter of certificate requests based on network conditions. The controller changes the timing parameter dynamically according to the number of information processing apparatuses, allowing centralized control to be maintained while optimizing acquisition timing to prevent delays and congestion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3413535B1Information processing apparatus, setting apparatus, control method for information processing apparatus, control method for setting apparatus, and program
Publication Date: 2020.12.16 CANON KK
  • EP3413535B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3413535B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3413535B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An electronic certificate acquisition timing set in an information processing apparatus is changed based on predetermined change information, and the acquisition of the electronic certificate is executed at the changed timing.