Cloud Printing Pool Matching Idle Printers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users often lack access to a printing device of their own and existing solutions do not effectively facilitate the sharing and utilization of idle printers across different users and businesses, leading to underutilization of printing resources.
Innovation Solution
A matching service that connects users with available printing devices through a cloud-based or local network, allowing users to select printers based on proximity, cost, and availability, while enabling printer owners to set usage restrictions and pricing, and managing transactions through a centralized system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If users connect to local printers directly or through local network sharing, then printing functionality is achieved, but printing resources remain underutilized and inaccessible to remote users
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions printing access from local/network dimension to cloud-based remote dimension. Printers are registered with a cloud service that enables users to access and print to any registered printer from any location with internet connectivity, effectively adding a remote access dimension to the printing system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a cloud-based printing service as an intermediary between users and printers. This service acts as a mediator that receives print jobs from users, matches them with appropriate registered printers, and manages the printing process, enabling indirect access to printing resources.
2Adaptability or versatility
If printers are made accessible remotely through cloud services, then resource sharing is improved, but system complexity and security management increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal printing access system that works across multiple devices, locations, and user types. The cloud service provides a unified interface and management layer that handles diverse printing scenarios (office printers, home printers, shared printers) through a single multi-functional platform.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements self-service capabilities where printer owners can register their own printers, set permissions and pricing, and manage their printing resources without requiring system administrator intervention. The system automatically matches print jobs with appropriate printers and handles transactions.
3Productivity
If a matching service is implemented to connect users with printers, then resource utilization is optimized, but transaction management and coordination overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the cloud service continuously monitors printer availability, status, and usage. This feedback enables automatic matching of print jobs with appropriate printers based on current conditions, and provides real-time updates to users about job status and pricing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes in printer status (available, busy, offline) and job priorities to dynamically match print requests with appropriate printers. The system adjusts matching criteria based on varying parameters such as printer capacity, user preferences, and cost considerations.
Data Source
AI summary
Examples disclosed herein relate to identifying a pool of printing devices, wherein each of the printing devices is associated with one of a plurality of owner entities, receiving a print job from a user, selecting a printing device from the pool of printing devices for the print job, causing the print job to be printed by the selected printing device, and crediting an account of the owner entity associated with the selected printing device.