Cloud Printing Data Retention Logic for Mobile Terminals

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Solution Overview

Problem

In cloud printing from mobile terminals, users often cancel printing due to communication failures or slowness, leading to unnecessary communication and data retention issues.

Innovation Solution

An information processing apparatus that differentiates between user-initiated cancellations and communication errors, performing delete requests for downloaded data only when cancellations occur due to user action, thereby optimizing processing and reducing unnecessary data retention.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If cloud printing is performed using a server for data conversion and communication, then printing functionality is extended to mobile terminals, but communication failures and slowness cause printing to fail or be canceled

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprinting functionalityVSAvoidprinting success rate

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by detecting cancellation causes before completing the printing process. When a cancellation is detected, the system immediately identifies whether it was user-initiated or caused by communication failure, and takes appropriate preliminary actions (deleting data or retaining it) to prevent future problems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback by monitoring the printing process for cancellation events and using this information to adjust subsequent actions. The cancellation cause detection mechanism provides feedback that determines whether to delete downloaded data or retain it for potential reprinting.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Quantity of substance

If downloaded printing data is deleted after successful printing, then storage space is freed, but reprinting requires re-downloading the data

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage spaceVSAvoidreprinting time

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts data retention based on the cancellation cause. Downloaded data is retained when communication failure is detected (to enable quick reprinting) but deleted when user cancellation is detected (to free storage space). This dynamic decision-making optimizes both storage management and reprinting efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the retention parameter of downloaded data based on the detected cancellation cause. The retention period is extended indefinitely for communication failures but set to immediate deletion for user cancellations, optimizing the balance between storage usage and reprinting speed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Loss of time

If downloaded data is retained for potential reprinting, then reprinting speed is improved, but unnecessary data remains in storage when printing is canceled by user

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereprinting speedVSAvoidunnecessary data retention

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses feedback from cancellation cause detection to determine data retention policy. When user cancellation is detected, the system deletes downloaded data to prevent unnecessary retention. When communication failure is detected, the system retains data to enable fast reprinting.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The data retention parameter is changed based on cancellation cause: immediate deletion for user cancellations, extended retention for communication failures. This parameter adjustment eliminates unnecessary data retention while maintaining fast reprinting capability when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Ease of operation

If communication is performed with the server for each printing operation, then printing functionality is maintained, but unnecessary communication occurs when printing is canceled

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprinting functionalityVSAvoidcommunication overhead

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system extracts and handles communication failure scenarios separately from normal printing operations. By detecting communication failures and storing downloaded data locally, the system eliminates the need for subsequent communication with the server during reprinting, reducing communication overhead.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides self-service by retaining downloaded data locally for potential reprinting operations. This eliminates the need to contact the server again for reprinting, allowing the system to serve itself without external communication and reducing energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS9971557B2Information processing apparatus, control method, and storage medium

Publication Date: 2018.05.15 CANON KK

AI summary

An information processing apparatus according to the present invention transmits first data to an external information processing apparatus after receiving an instruction for printing from a user, downloads second data obtained by converting the first data from the external information processing apparatus, transmits the second data to an image forming apparatus, and performs a delete request of the second data held by the external information processing apparatus if the download performed by the communication unit is canceled by the user.