Cloud Print Job Management via Wireless Device Discovery

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current cloud printing systems require pre-registration of image forming apparatuses in external printing systems, limiting user flexibility in selecting nearby devices for printing, and do not efficiently manage print jobs across multiple devices.

Innovation Solution

An information processing system that includes a terminal device and one or more image forming apparatuses connected via short-distance wireless communication, allowing users to select and transmit print requests to external printing systems, which then manage and store print jobs for execution by the selected apparatuses without prior registration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If image forming apparatuses are pre-registered in external printing systems, then print job management is established, but user flexibility in selecting nearby devices is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser flexibility in device selectionVSAvoidregistration process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The terminal device performs preliminary discovery and identification of image forming apparatuses through short-distance wireless communication before print job submission. The apparatus identifiers are collected and stored in advance, enabling the user to select from available devices without requiring pre-registration in the external printing system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The information processing apparatus acts as an intermediary between the terminal device and external printing system. It receives print requests with apparatus identifiers from the terminal, stores the print jobs, and transmits them to the selected image forming apparatus, eliminating the need for direct pre-registration between the terminal and external system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If print jobs are stored and managed by the information processing apparatus, then print job management efficiency is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprint job management efficiencyVSAvoidsystem architecture complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The information processing apparatus serves as a mediator that receives print requests from the terminal device, stores print jobs in its memory, and transmits them to the selected image forming apparatus. This intermediary role consolidates print job management functions, improving efficiency while the modular architecture limits complexity increase.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The printing system is segmented into distinct functional components: the terminal device for user interaction, the information processing apparatus for job management and communication, and the image forming apparatus for execution. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently, improving overall productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If the terminal device directly communicates with external printing system, then system simplicity is maintained, but device selection flexibility is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice selection flexibilityVSAvoiduser operation simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The information processing apparatus is introduced as an intermediary that enhances user operation simplicity. It automatically handles the complex tasks of discovering image forming apparatuses, collecting identifiers, storing print jobs, and transmitting data, while presenting a simplified interface to the user for device selection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs self-service operations automatically: the terminal device automatically discovers and identifies nearby image forming apparatuses through short-distance wireless communication, and the information processing apparatus automatically stores and transmits print jobs without requiring manual configuration or pre-registration by the user.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS10545708B2Information processing system and method of processing information

Publication Date: 2020.01.28 RICOH CO LTD

AI summary

An information processing system includes a terminal device, one or more image forming apparatuses communicably connected to the terminal device using short-distance wireless communication, and an information processing apparatus to provide a service that is in cooperation with a print service provided by an external printing system. The terminal device receives an operation of selecting one image forming apparatus from among the one or more image forming apparatuses and transmits, to the external printing system, a print request including an apparatus identifier identifying the selected image forming apparatus. The information processing apparatus acquires a print job generated by the external printing system based on the print request transmitted from the terminal device, stores the acquired print job in a memory, and transmits the print job stored in the memory to the selected image forming apparatus in response to a request transmitted from the selected image forming apparatus.