Cloud Printing via File Identifier and Metadata Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for printing files from cloud storage on mobile devices are inefficient, causing increased communication load and security risks due to file downloading and uploading, and require additional user workload and management costs.
Innovation Solution
A system where an application server receives a file identifier from a terminal, identifies the associated storage, acquires and transmits the file to a print server for printing, reducing the need for file download and upload, and utilizing a chat application for user-friendly file selection and printing instructions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If files are downloaded and uploaded for printing from cloud storage, then printing functionality is achieved, but communication load increases and security risks arise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the file data from the cloud storage system and processes only the necessary file information (metadata, thumbnails) on the terminal device. The actual file printing is achieved by transmitting minimal data (file identifiers and printing instructions) rather than the entire file content, thereby reducing communication load while maintaining printing functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism where the terminal device acts as a mediator between cloud storage and the printing system. The terminal retrieves file information from cloud storage, processes it locally, and then transmits only essential printing instructions to the printer, avoiding direct file transfer between cloud storage and printer.
2Ease of operation
If files are downloaded and uploaded for printing from cloud storage, then printing functionality is achieved, but security risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the necessary file information (metadata, thumbnails, file identifiers) from the cloud storage system and processes it on the terminal device. The actual file content remains in cloud storage and is never downloaded to the terminal or transmitted to the printer, thereby eliminating security risks associated with file transmission while maintaining printing functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates and uses thumbnails (copy representations) of the files instead of the actual file content. These thumbnails are used for display and selection purposes on the terminal, while the original files remain securely stored in cloud storage. The printing is performed by transmitting only file identifiers and printing instructions, not the actual file data.
3Productivity
If traditional file download and upload process is used, then printing is achieved, but user workload and management costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary actions by having the terminal device retrieve and process file information (metadata, thumbnails) from cloud storage in advance. This preparation is done once, and the resulting file information is cached locally, enabling rapid subsequent printing operations without repeated cloud storage access, thereby reducing user workload and time consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements self-service by enabling the terminal device to autonomously retrieve file information from cloud storage, process it locally, and manage printing operations without requiring user intervention for file transfer. The system automatically handles file information retrieval, processing, and printing instruction transmission, reducing both user workload and management costs.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer-readable storage medium storing a program that causes a computer to execute a process, the process includes receiving a first identifier that is input when an application is used on a terminal; identifying, in accordance with the received first identifier, a storage that is associated with the first identifier and that stores file information; transmitting to the identified storage an acquisition request to acquire part or all of the file information stored in the storage; transmitting to the terminal a list of the part or all of the file information transmitted from the storage in response to the acquisition request; receiving from the terminal an item of file information selected from the list of the part or all of the file information; acquiring a file corresponding to the received item of file information from the storage; and transmitting the acquired file to a print server that performs printing processing.