Terminal Management Device for Mixed Connectivity Printers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current technologies lack effective management solutions for printers with and without direct Internet connectivity in mixed environments, as existing systems are not designed to handle the differences in communication functions between these devices.
Innovation Solution
A terminal management system comprising a terminal management device, a relay device, and two types of terminal devices, where the device determines the communication capabilities of each terminal device using distinct controls, allowing for appropriate management despite different information transmission paths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single management control method is used for all terminal devices, then the system structure is simple, but terminal devices with different communication functions cannot be appropriately managed
Solution Approach 1:
The terminal management device dynamically selects different control methods based on the communication capabilities of terminal devices. For devices with direct Internet connectivity, one control method is applied, while for devices without direct connectivity, another control method is applied. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to handle diverse device types without requiring a completely different system architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the control parameters based on the communication function parameters of terminal devices. By detecting whether a device has direct Internet connectivity, the system adjusts its management approach accordingly, using different determination methods for device states and communication capabilities.
2Reliability
If different control methods are used for terminal devices with different communication functions, then appropriate management is achieved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The management system is segmented into different control pathways based on device communication capabilities. Terminal devices are divided into two categories: those with direct Internet connectivity and those without. Each category is managed through its own dedicated control method, ensuring reliable management while keeping each segment's complexity manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
For terminal devices without direct Internet connectivity, the system introduces a relay device as an intermediary. This mediator enables communication between the terminal device and the management server by routing messages through the Internet-connected relay device, thus maintaining management reliability without requiring direct device modification.
3Productivity
If all terminal devices communicate directly with the management server, then communication efficiency is high, but devices without Internet connectivity cannot be managed
Solution Approach 1:
The relay device serves as an intermediary that bridges the gap between Internet-connected and non-Internet-connected terminal devices. It receives messages from the management server and forwards them to terminal devices that cannot directly access the Internet, while also relaying messages from terminal devices back to the server, thus maintaining communication efficiency across diverse device types.
Solution Approach 2:
The relay device performs multiple functions: it acts as a communication gateway for non-Internet-connected devices, a message router, and a protocol translator. This multi-functionality allows the system to maintain high communication efficiency while accommodating terminal devices with varying connectivity capabilities.
Data Source
AI summary
A terminal management device in a terminal management system includes: a controller configured to perform: a first control of determining whether a first terminal device is in a state capable of transmitting information to a terminal management device via a relay device, and a second control of determining whether a second terminal device is in a state capable of transmitting information to the terminal management device, the second control being different from the first control.