Cloud Print Aggregation Interface for Multi-Source Document Batching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users face inefficiency when printing multiple documents stored across different cloud locations, as they need to access each location sequentially, leading to time-consuming browsing and selection processes.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that receive multiple cloud URLs from a user, analyze them to segregate cloud location URLs and document names, and generate a user-friendly view for selection, allowing direct printing without manual access to cloud locations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the user accesses each cloud location sequentially to print documents, then the user can print documents from multiple cloud locations, but the time and effort required increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple cloud location URLs and document selections into a single unified print operation. Instead of requiring separate access to each cloud location (Google Drive, Dropbox, etc.), the system merges all cloud URLs into one batch processing workflow, allowing simultaneous printing from multiple cloud sources through a single user action.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary processing by pre-fetching and caching document previews from all cloud locations before the user initiates printing. URLs are analyzed and documents are prepared in advance, so when the user selects documents for printing, the actual print operation executes immediately without sequential cloud access delays.
2Ease of operation
If the user browses through folders to find target documents in each cloud location, then the user can locate specific documents, but the effort and time required increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary component that acts as a cloud aggregation interface. This intermediary receives multiple cloud URLs, automatically analyzes their structure, and presents a unified view of available documents across all cloud locations. The user interacts with this intermediary layer rather than directly browsing each cloud folder, eliminating the need for repeated folder navigation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a local copy or cache of document metadata and previews from all cloud locations. Instead of requiring users to browse remote cloud folders, the system replicates essential document information locally, allowing rapid searching and selection without network delays or folder navigation through remote systems.
3Ease of operation
If the system provides direct printing without manual cloud access, then the printing process is simplified, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements self-service functionality by automatically analyzing cloud URLs, extracting document information, and preparing print-ready data without user intervention. The complex URL parsing, cloud authentication, and document retrieval processes occur automatically in the background, shielding users from system complexity while maintaining ease of operation.
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure discloses methods and systems for allowing a user to print multiple documents stored over multiple and/or different cloud locations. A pre-defined file is received from a user, where the file includes multiple URLs such that each URL represents a cloud URL for accessing a document stored over that cloud location. Then, each URL is analyzed to segregate the URL into a cloud location URL and a document name. A pre-defined user-friendly view is generated based on the cloud locations, where the pre-defined view includes a common cloud URLs, corresponding document names, and print options, for user's selection. Based on the user's selection, one or more documents stored at corresponding cloud locations are printed without requiring the user to access any cloud location URL.