Authentication Printing Settings Synchronization via Server

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Solution Overview

Problem

In authentication printing systems, when the operating systems of a terminal device and a printing server differ, users must manually set authentication printing settings, which is time-consuming and inefficient.

Innovation Solution

A printing system where a terminal device stores authentication printing settings and requests changes from a printing server, which then transmits updated settings for the terminal device to automatically synchronize settings, eliminating the need for manual configuration regardless of OS differences.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual setting of authentication printing settings is performed in each terminal device, then settings can be customized for each device, but user time and effort increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanual setting operationVSAvoiduser time and effort

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The terminal device automatically obtains authentication printing settings from the printing server without requiring manual user input. The device autonomously transmits acquisition requests, receives settings, and applies them, enabling self-service configuration that eliminates user time and effort while maintaining proper setting customization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The printing server stores authentication printing settings in advance, prepared for multiple terminal devices. When a terminal device requests settings, the pre-prepared settings are immediately transmitted and applied, eliminating the need for users to perform manual configuration actions at the time of device setup.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If authentication printing settings are manually configured in each terminal device, then device-specific customization is possible, but setting consistency across different OS platforms becomes difficult to maintain

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice-specific customizationVSAvoidsetting consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The printing server serves as a universal settings repository that provides authentication printing settings to multiple terminal devices running different operating systems. The server transmits appropriate settings based on device identification information, ensuring each device receives customized settings while maintaining consistency across the entire system through centralized management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The terminal device transmits device identification information to the printing server, which uses this feedback to determine and transmit the appropriate authentication printing settings. This feedback mechanism ensures that each device receives settings tailored to its specific platform while maintaining overall system consistency through centralized control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Ease of operation

If automatic setting acquisition is implemented, then user effort is reduced, but communication protocols and data transmission mechanisms must be established between terminal device and server

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomatic setting acquisitionVSAvoidcommunication protocol complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The printing server acts as an intermediary between terminal devices and authentication printing configuration. It receives device identification information, determines appropriate settings, and transmits them automatically. This intermediary approach simplifies the overall system by centralizing communication protocols and data transmission mechanisms in one location rather than requiring complex peer-to-peer protocols between multiple devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS11875072B2Printing system for authenticating printing, has printing server that transmits change authentication setting information to terminal device, and non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing computer program

Publication Date: 2024.01.16 SEIKO EPSON CORP

AI summary

A printing system includes a terminal device, a printing server that receives print data from the terminal device, and a printing device that performs printing based on the print data received by the printing server. The terminal device stores terminal authentication printing setting information indicating a setting relating to authentication printing and set in the terminal device. The printing server stores change authentication printing setting information for changing the terminal authentication printing setting information. The terminal device transmits, to the printing server, request information requesting the change authentication printing setting information. The printing server transmits the change authentication printing setting information to the terminal device upon receiving the request information. The terminal device changes the terminal authentication printing setting information based on the change authentication printing setting information received from the printing server.