Cloud Server for Complex Print Settings Without Local Drivers
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cloud print systems lack the ability to perform complex print settings without requiring a printer driver or special application, especially on devices with low-resolution operation panels, and installation of such drivers is cumbersome.
Innovation Solution
A cloud server that receives login requests from image forming apparatuses, acquires file lists from cloud storage, provides setting screens for print settings, downloads and generates print jobs, and transmits them to the image forming apparatuses, allowing complex settings without local driver installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a printer driver or special application is installed on the personal computer to enable complex print settings, then printing with special settings (enlarging/reducing images, multi-page per sheet, stamps) becomes possible, but the installation process becomes complicated and requires additional setup works
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the printer driver and special application from the personal computer and relocates them to the cloud server. The cloud server provides a web-based interface that includes all necessary print settings and functions, eliminating the need for local driver installation while maintaining full printing capability including complex settings like image enlargement, multi-page per sheet, and stamp functions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a cloud server as an intermediary between the personal computer and the printer. The cloud server receives print jobs from the personal computer via web browser, processes complex print settings through its built-in application, and transmits the formatted print jobs to the printer. This intermediary handles the complexity of driver management and setting configuration remotely
2Reliability
If an exclusive service engineer is assigned to manage multiple devices, then maintenance and support can be provided, but the cost and resource allocation increase significantly compared to managing single devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal cloud-based management platform that can handle multiple devices through a single web interface. The cloud server provides centralized management capabilities for numerous devices, allowing service engineers to manage multiple devices through one consolidated system rather than requiring separate dedicated support for each device, thus reducing the total number of service engineers needed while maintaining reliable support
3Ease of operation
If the operation panel of the image forming apparatus has low display resolution, then the device remains cost-effective and simple, but it becomes difficult to display and set complex print settings on the device itself
Solution Approach 1:
The patent moves the display of print settings from the low-resolution operation panel of the image forming apparatus to the high-resolution display of a personal computer's web browser. The cloud server provides detailed setting interfaces including image enlargement, reduction, multi-page per sheet, and stamp functions that are visually displayed and configured through the web interface on the personal computer, completely bypassing the limitation of the device's low-resolution panel
Data Source
AI summary
A cloud server for providing a cloud print service includes at least one memory that stores instructions, and at least one processor that executes the instructions to receive a login request from an image forming apparatus remotely operated by an information processing terminal, acquire a file list from a cloud storage service based on user information acquired in response to the received login request, transmit the acquired file list to the information processing terminal, provide the information processing terminal with a setting screen for changing print settings regarding a printing target file, download the printing target file from the cloud storage service when an instruction for printing the printing target file is received from the information processing terminal, generate a print job based on the downloaded printing target file and the print settings changed in the setting screen, and transmit the generated print job to the image forming apparatus.