Cloud Printing System with Remote Functionality and Intermediary Display
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional printing systems offer a wide range of functionalities that users rarely need, leading to over-purchasing and inadequate information about printer status, with limited display capabilities and outdated user manuals. Additionally, users often cannot access printers when needed due to their association with specific networks.
Innovation Solution
A printing system that allows users to lease functionality on an a la carte basis, using a cloud environment to configure printers for specific modes, and provides access to surrounding idle printers through a network, with the option to display information on secondary devices and retrieve high-resolution images from low-resolution videos.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional printing devices include built-in processors, hard drives, web servers, and sophisticated management software to offer wide range of functionality, then the printing device can perform multiple operations, but the cost increases and users pay for functionality they rarely need
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts sophisticated management software, web server capabilities, and processing functions from the printing device itself and relocates them to remote servers accessible via network. This allows the printing device to maintain basic printing functionality while users can access advanced features and management capabilities through web browsers or applications on their own devices, eliminating the need for built-in complex hardware and software in the printer.
2Loss of information
If conventional printing devices use small LCD displays to show error messages and status information, then the device can provide status information, but the display is too small and provides cryptic messages that require additional information sources
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary display device (such as a smartphone, tablet, or computer screen) that acts as a mediator between the printing device and the user. The printing device communicates status information and error messages to this intermediary display through network connectivity, where the information can be presented in a more readable and comprehensive format with additional context, troubleshooting steps, and visual representations that would be impossible on a small printer LCD.
3Ease of operation
If printing devices are physically connected to specific networks, then the printer can be managed and accessed within that network, but users cannot access printers when away from their local network
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements universal network access capabilities that allow the printing device to be accessed from multiple network environments including local intranets, wireless networks, and the internet. The system uses standard network protocols and web-based interfaces that can be accessed from any location with network connectivity, making the printing device universally accessible regardless of the user's location or network environment.
4Loss of information
If conventional printing devices use illuminated lights to signal printer problems, then the device can communicate issues, but the information provided is insufficient and users must turn to other sources to understand the problems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses an intermediary display device to translate simple illuminated light signals from the printing device into comprehensive diagnostic information. The intermediary device receives status data from the printer and presents it in user-friendly formats including detailed error descriptions, visual diagrams of affected components, step-by-step troubleshooting instructions, and links to additional resources, making problem diagnosis and resolution much easier for users.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for enabling content to be displayable in association with a local client printing system associated with a printer provider. The local client printing system, in response to commands entered through the user interface, communicates with a remote printer provider server to retrieve displayable content associated with the commands entered through a user interface. The local client printing system, in response to commands entered through the user interface, communicates with the remote printer provider server to identify the display device upon which the retrieved displayable content is to be displayed. The display device receives, from the remote printer provider server, the retrieved displayable content and displays the retrieved displayable content thereupon.