Distributed Print Queue for Networked MFDs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing print management systems are cumbersome due to centralized print servers, which can lead to overloading of high-use multifunction devices and lack of communication between individual devices, making it difficult to manage and redirect print jobs efficiently.
Innovation Solution
A distributed print queue system where each multifunction device maintains its own queue, communicating with an application server to share and manage print jobs across devices, allowing users to redirect and print documents from any connected device without the need for a central print server.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a centralized print server is used to store all print jobs, then document management is centralized, but high-use multifunction devices become overloaded and users cannot redirect print jobs efficiently
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the centralized print queue into distributed print queues located at each multifunction device. Each device maintains its own print queue independently, allowing users to redirect print jobs between devices without overloading any single device. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by enabling both efficient job redirection and balanced device utilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new dimension of print job management by implementing cross-device queue access. Users can access and redirect print jobs from any multifunction device in the network, adding a spatial dimension to print management that was previously constrained to centralized server access. This enables flexible job redirection while distributing the load across multiple devices.
2Productivity
If individual MFDs have local print queues, then local access is improved, but devices cannot communicate with each other to share print jobs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes each multifunction device's print queue universally accessible to all users and devices in the network. Each device serves multiple functions: it maintains its own local queue for immediate access while simultaneously serving as an access point for other devices' queues. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by enabling both local queue efficiency and network-wide inter-device communication.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements an intermediary mechanism where each device acts as both a client and server for print queue operations. Devices communicate through standardized protocols, allowing any device to query, access, and redirect print jobs from any other device's queue. This intermediary approach enables seamless inter-device communication while preserving local queue autonomy.
3Device complexity
If print servers are eliminated from the network, then system complexity is reduced, but print job management and device coordination become more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service mechanisms where each multifunction device autonomously manages its own print queue and can independently communicate with other devices. Devices automatically handle print job redirection, queue status reporting, and coordination tasks without requiring centralized print server intervention. This self-service approach eliminates the need for print servers while maintaining ease of operation through distributed intelligence.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the functions previously performed by centralized print servers directly into the multifunction devices themselves. Each device integrates print queue management, job redirection capabilities, and inter-device communication protocols, merging multiple functions into the device layer. This consolidation reduces overall system complexity by eliminating the print server infrastructure while maintaining full print job coordination capability.
Data Source
AI summary
A system, method, and apparatus for networked print management without the presence of print servers. The system, method, and apparatus allow a user to submit documents to a multifunction device for printing. The multifunction device (MFD) is in communication with one or more other MFDs over an application server. The application server acts as a request broker to allow one MFD to print a document on another MFD. The user accesses the MFD to view the submitted documents. The one or more other MFDs send any additional documents to the accessed MFD. The user selects one or more of the user's documents for printing by the accessed MFD. The user can also select the user's documents on the accessed MFD and forward them to a second MFD for printing.