DLNA Device Direct Web Content Printing via XHTML Parsing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA) devices face difficulties in directly outputting contents from external networks, such as the Internet, due to complex printing procedures and the requirement for storing contents in a DMS or web server before printing.
Innovation Solution
A DLNA device connected to a web server via wire or wireless network, equipped with a communication interface to search for image forming apparatuses and content locations, a user interface for printing commands, and a printing job generation unit that creates XHTML data for direct printing, allowing users to select templates and apply print options, enabling seamless printing of Internet contents across multiple image forming apparatuses without the need for specific drivers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If contents are stored in a DMS server or web server before printing, then printing capability is achieved, but the printing procedure becomes complex and user operation becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the content address information directly from the web page source code using automated parsing, eliminating the need for manual content extraction and storage in DMS servers. The system extracts URLs and content identifiers directly from HTML pages, simplifying the printing workflow while maintaining reliable printing capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a web page parser as an intermediary component that automatically extracts content information from web pages. This parser acts as a mediator between the web browser and the printing system, automatically obtaining content addresses and generating print jobs without requiring manual intervention or complex server storage procedures.
2Reliability
If contents are stored in a DMS server or web server before printing, then printing capability is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the requirement for DMS server storage by directly extracting content address information from web pages. The system obtains URLs and content identifiers directly from the web page source, eliminating the intermediate storage step and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining printing functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables the printing system to self-obtain content information by automatically parsing web page source code. The system autonomously extracts content addresses, identifies printable elements, and generates print jobs without requiring manual content storage or complex server infrastructure, thereby reducing device complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If drivers are installed for each image forming apparatus, then printing compatibility is achieved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to driver installation requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal print job format (XHTML) that can be processed by multiple types of image forming apparatuses without requiring device-specific drivers. The print job includes embedded content address information that can be directly accessed by various printers, scanners, and copiers, enabling driverless printing across different devices while maintaining broad compatibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses XHTML as an intermediary format that bridges the web content and various image forming apparatuses. This standardized format acts as a universal language that different devices can understand without requiring proprietary drivers, simplifying the printing process while maintaining compatibility across multiple device types.
4Ease of operation
If web page source code is automatically parsed to obtain content addresses, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases due to parsing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the DLNA device to automatically self-service by parsing its own web page source code to extract content address information. The system autonomously identifies printable content, extracts URLs and content identifiers, and generates print jobs without user intervention, improving ease of operation while managing parsing complexity through automated processes.
Data Source
AI summary
A digital living network alliance (DLNA) device. The DLNA device includes a communication interface to search for image forming apparatuses connectable to the DLNA device using a DLNA guideline, and to search for contents provided by a web server using a (web) browser; a user interface to receive a command to print at least one of the searched contents, and to receive a selection of an image forming apparatus to perform a printing job from among the searched image forming apparatuses; a content information acquisition unit to obtain information regarding the an address of at least one content to be printed in the web server; a printing job generation unit to generate a printing job including the obtained information regarding the address of the at least one content; and a controlling unit to control the selected image forming apparatus to receive the at least one content using the information regarding the address of the at least one content and to print the content.