Unified Scanner Control System for USB and LAN Interfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current scanner control systems are unable to effectively control scanners with non-USB communication interfaces, such as IEEE 802 series LAN interfaces, due to the lack of a communication protocol for obtaining Vendor ID (VID) and Product ID (PID) in these systems, which are essential for identifying and controlling USB scanners.
Innovation Solution
A scanner control system that includes both USB and LAN communication interfaces, with a storage device to store scanner information, allowing the system to obtain and manage scanner information from both types of interfaces, enabling control of scanners via either interface based on the identified specifications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the system uses USB communication interface to control scanners, then the system can obtain VID and PID to identify scanner models and functions, but the system cannot control scanners with non-USB communication interfaces such as LAN
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism (scanner information storage device and information acquisition unit) that bridges the gap between USB and LAN interfaces. For LAN scanners where VID/PID cannot be directly obtained, the system stores scanner information in an intermediary storage device and retrieves it when needed, enabling uniform control across different interface types.
Solution Approach 2:
The scanner driver unit is designed with multi-functionality to handle both USB and LAN interfaces. The control unit can selectively use VID/PID from USB devices or retrieve scanner information from the storage device for LAN devices, providing universal control capabilities across different communication protocols.
2Reliability
If the system creates separate control mechanisms for USB and LAN scanners, then each interface can be controlled optimally, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the control paths for USB and LAN scanners into a unified scanner driver unit. Both interface types are handled through the same driver architecture, which selectively applies appropriate information acquisition methods (direct VID/PID reading for USB, storage device retrieval for LAN), thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining reliable control.
3Ease of operation
If the system uses a unified control interface for all scanner types, then the ease of operation improves, but the ability to handle interface-specific requirements deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs dynamic adaptability where the scanner driver unit automatically adjusts its information acquisition method based on the scanner interface type. The control unit dynamically selects between direct VID/PID reading for USB devices and storage device retrieval for LAN devices, providing both ease of operation and interface-specific control capability without user intervention.
Data Source
AI summary
A scanner control system is described. The scanner control system includes a first communication interface which communicates with a first device group, a second communication interface which communicates with a second device group, the first device group and the second device group each containing a scanner, the second communication interface being different in specifications from the first communication interface, a storage device which stores scanner information on at least one scanner contained in the second device group, and a system main unit that transmits an instruction from an application unit to-the to a scanner driver unit and transmitting data from the scanner drive unit to the application unit.