Cloud Print Protocol Selection via Queue Type Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users face difficulties in selecting the appropriate protocol for acquiring print data from cloud print services, especially when dealing with real and virtual printer queues, as existing solutions require cumbersome user interface settings and risk incorrect protocol selection, leading to failed print job acquisition.

Innovation Solution

A printing apparatus that includes an acquisition unit to determine the appropriate protocol based on information about the printer queue type and user authentication settings, automating the selection process to ensure correct protocol usage for acquiring print jobs from cloud print services.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the user manually selects the protocol for acquiring print data from cloud print services, then the user can control the printing process, but the user interface becomes complex and error-prone

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of protocol selectionVSAvoiduser interface complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The printing apparatus automatically determines and selects the appropriate protocol (IPO or MOP) based on the printer queue type information received from the cloud print service, eliminating the need for user intervention in protocol selection. The system serves itself by autonomously configuring the communication protocol according to the virtual or real printer queue type.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If the user manually configures protocol settings, then customization is possible, but incorrect settings lead to failed print job acquisition

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprint job acquisition reliabilityVSAvoidconfiguration simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The printing apparatus receives feedback information from the cloud print service in the form of printer queue type information (virtual or real), and uses this feedback to automatically determine the correct protocol. This closed-loop approach ensures that the protocol selection is based on actual service configuration, preventing incorrect settings and failed print job acquisition.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple protocols are supported for different cloud print services, then compatibility is improved, but the difficulty of detecting and measuring the appropriate protocol increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecloud print service compatibilityVSAvoidprotocol detection difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism where the cloud print service provides printer queue type information that acts as a mediator between the service and the printing apparatus. This intermediary information simplifies protocol detection by providing a clear indicator (virtual or real queue type) that directly maps to the appropriate protocol, eliminating the need for complex protocol detection logic.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS11036445B2Printing apparatus supporting cloud print service, method of controlling printing apparatus, and storage medium

Publication Date: 2021.06.15 CANON KK

AI summary

A printing apparatus determines one protocol from among a plurality of protocols to be used for acquisition and printing of a print job, based on at least two pieces of acquired information, and performs processing to acquire and print the print job using the determined protocol.