Virtual Setting Value Management for Multi-Model Printers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for managing setting values in image forming apparatuses are inadequate for handling configurations that vary by different models and hardware options, leading to inefficiencies in simultaneous management across multiple devices.
Innovation Solution
A setting value management apparatus and method that utilizes a server computer group to manage setting values by creating virtual devices, which include model-dependent setting value schemata and tenant-specific configurations, allowing for simultaneous management of image forming apparatuses with different models and hardware options through a network-based system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If setting values are stored in storage devices within each image forming apparatus, then each apparatus can independently store and access its configuration data, but settings must be made separately for each apparatus, increasing management complexity and time consumption
Solution Approach 1:
A server computer group is introduced as an intermediary between administrators and image forming apparatuses. The server stores setting values centrally and transmits them to multiple apparatuses, eliminating the need for administrators to manually configure each device individually. This mediator approach resolves the contradiction by enabling centralized management (improving ease of operation) while reducing the time required for configuration settings through automated distribution.
2Productivity
If setting values are managed centrally to reduce management steps, then configuration updates can be applied to multiple apparatuses simultaneously, but the system becomes more complex requiring server infrastructure and network communication
Solution Approach 1:
The server computer group performs multiple functions: storing setting values, managing multiple image forming apparatuses simultaneously, filtering settings based on model codes and hardware options, and transmitting configurations to appropriate devices. This multi-functionality approach resolves the contradiction by achieving high productivity through centralized management while containing system complexity within a single versatile server infrastructure rather than requiring complex distributed systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies local quality by filtering and customizing setting values according to specific model codes and hardware options of each image forming apparatus. The server identifies the appropriate settings for each device type and transmits only relevant configurations, allowing efficient simultaneous management of diverse apparatuses while maintaining appropriate complexity through targeted, device-specific configuration delivery.
3Adaptability or versatility
If configuration data is made accessible via network location, then multiple apparatuses can refer to settings simultaneously, but the system cannot properly handle model-specific and hardware-option-specific restrictions
Solution Approach 1:
The setting value management system segments configuration data into model-specific and hardware-option-specific categories. The server stores settings organized by model code and hardware option combinations, allowing it to filter and transmit only the appropriate settings to each image forming apparatus. This segmentation approach resolves the contradiction by enabling the system to handle diverse models and options (improving adaptability) while maintaining ease of operation through automated, targeted configuration deployment.
Data Source
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AI summary
Virtual setting values for a specific image forming apparatus are generated using a model-dependent setting value schema which defines a schema of model-dependent setting values in each of a plurality of image forming apparatuses and tenant setting values required to commonly set setting values for the plurality of image forming apparatuses. The virtual setting values are held and managed.