Communication Relaying Apparatus for Multi-Device USB Targeting
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Solution Overview
Problem
In the context of 'IPP over USB', there is no mechanism to specify a particular image processing apparatus as the transmission destination for processing requests from a client application when multiple image processing apparatuses are connected to a terminal device via USB, leading to ambiguity in target selection.
Innovation Solution
A communication relaying program is implemented that generates a unique communication path for each image processing apparatus, allowing a client application to select and transmit requests to the appropriate apparatus by displaying a selection screen with identification information, enabling precise targeting of the intended device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a terminal device connects to multiple image processing apparatuses via USB, then the system can support multiple devices, but it becomes impossible to specify which apparatus should receive processing requests
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the communication interface into multiple virtual communication ports, each uniquely associated with a specific image processing apparatus. This segmentation allows the terminal device to maintain connections with multiple apparatuses while providing clear distinction and specification for each connection channel, enabling users to select which apparatus should receive processing requests.
2Device complexity
If no selection mechanism is provided, then the system structure remains simple, but users cannot select the correct apparatus when multiple are connected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a selection screen as an intermediary interface between the user and the communication relaying program. This selection screen displays identification information of connected image processing apparatuses and allows users to specify which apparatus should receive processing requests. The intermediary layer adds minimal complexity to the program structure while effectively preventing information loss about apparatus identity.
Data Source
AI summary
A non-transitory computer-readable medium having a communication relaying program which, when executed by a computer of an information processing apparatus, causes the information processing apparatus to perform operations including: generating a communication path unique for an image processing apparatus; generating selection screen information for displaying a screen for receiving selection of identification information of the image processing apparatus, the selection screen information being configured to, in response to selection of the identification information, allow a client application to transmit a processing request with designating the communication path for the image processing apparatus identified by the selected identification information; transmitting the selection screen information to the client application; receiving the processing request from the client application; and transmitting the processing request to the image processing apparatus corresponding to the communication path designated by the processing request.