Cloud Print Limit Synchronization via Mediator Table
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Solution Overview
Problem
In cloud print services, inconsistencies in upper limits and print records managed by cloud and local print management servers can lead to improper management of printing limits, causing inconsistencies across multiple cloud print services.
Innovation Solution
A printing system that synchronizes maximum and current print amounts across multiple cloud print services, ensuring that the total print amount for a job does not exceed the set maximum, thereby preventing inconsistencies by using a first and second information processing apparatus to authenticate and authorize print jobs and manage print records.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If each cloud print service manages upper limits and print records independently, then each service can control printing for its users, but inconsistencies occur between different cloud print services when users access multiple services
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a user information management table that acts as an intermediary between multiple cloud print services and the image forming apparatus. This table stores unified user information including consistent upper limit values and print records, serving as a central mediator that ensures all services reference the same data, thereby preventing inconsistencies without requiring complex inter-service communication protocols
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the management of upper limits and print records from multiple independent cloud print services into a single unified user information management table. By combining these previously separate management functions into one centralized structure, the system ensures consistency across services while simplifying the overall architecture compared to maintaining separate management systems for each service
2Productivity
If cloud print services store print jobs locally without verification, then printing is convenient and fast, but users may exceed their maximum print amount across multiple services
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary verification by having the image forming apparatus check the user information management table before executing print jobs. The apparatus retrieves the user's upper limit and current print record, calculates whether the new job would exceed the limit, and only then proceeds with printing. This preliminary check ensures print amount control is maintained while allowing fast execution for approved jobs
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the image forming apparatus continuously monitors print records in the user information management table and compares them against upper limits. After each print job, the system updates the print record and checks it against the upper limit, providing real-time feedback control that prevents users from exceeding their allocated print amounts across multiple cloud print services
Data Source
AI summary
A printing system comprising first and second information processing apparatuses connected and an image forming apparatus. The first information processing apparatus performs a first print service that stores a print job. The second information processing apparatus performs the second print service that holds a maximum print amount and a current print amount. The first print service obtains the maximum print amount and the current print amount from the second print service when the image forming apparatus executes the print job, determines whether a total of a print amount according to the print job and the current print amount exceeds the maximum print amount, and if the total of the print amount according to the print job and the current print amount does not exceed the maximum print amount, causes the image forming apparatus to execute the print job.