External Computing Device for Legacy Printer PDL Processing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Printers and associated equipment have slower upgrade cycles due to high initial costs, leading to older printer engines being retained despite being obsolete, and costly firmware upgrades and maintenance, which can be time-consuming and expensive.
Innovation Solution
A portable printing computing device that connects to existing printers via a network, utilizing a page description language (PDL) and raster image processor (RIP) system to process print jobs, allowing for the use of newer PDL technologies on older printers, overriding legacy firmware, and providing mobile application scan-to-print capabilities, thus extending the life of older printers and reducing upgrade costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If newer PDL technologies and firmware are implemented, then printing capabilities and functionality are improved, but device cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the PDL interpretation and RIP functions into a standalone computing device that connects to the printer via network, rather than integrating these complex functions directly into the printer hardware. This segmentation allows the printer to remain simple while gaining access to advanced printing capabilities through the external processing device.
Solution Approach 2:
A computing device acts as an intermediary between the network/print servers and the printer hardware. This intermediary handles the complex PDL interpretation and RIP processing, translating modern print jobs into formats the legacy printer can execute, thereby bridging the gap between new technologies and old hardware without modifying the printer itself.
2Adaptability or versatility
If firmware upgrades are performed on legacy printers, then functionality is improved, but maintenance cost and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The computing device serves as an intermediary that handles all complex processing tasks, allowing legacy printers to run their existing firmware without modification. This eliminates the need for time-consuming firmware upgrades while still enabling the printers to handle modern PDL formats and features through the external processing capability.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of upgrading the printer's firmware directly, the system creates a virtual copy of the RIP functionality in the external computing device. This copy performs all the complex interpretation and processing, allowing the original printer firmware to remain unchanged and avoiding all associated upgrade risks and time losses.
3Device complexity
If older printer engines are retained, then cost is reduced, but technological obsolescence increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system makes the printing capability dynamic by separating the fixed printer hardware from the flexible software processing layer. The external computing device can be updated with new PDL interpreters and RIP versions independently, allowing the overall system to adapt to new technologies while the physical printer remains unchanged and cost-effective.
Solution Approach 2:
The computing device is designed to support multiple PDL formats and printer types universally. It can interpret various modern PDL languages and translate them to formats compatible with different legacy printers, making the solution broadly applicable and preventing technological obsolescence across multiple devices without requiring individual upgrades.
Data Source
AI summary
A printing computing device connects to a printing device using a fast data transfer connector to enable additional functionality and capabilities not offered by the printing device. The printing computing device connects to a network to receive print jobs from external devices within the network. The printing computing device processes the print jobs according to rules such that print jobs are processed accordingly. The printing computing device also includes firmware not available on the printing device such that print jobs not supported by the printing device still may be processed. The printing computing device also includes an engine that determines whether an incoming print job is a PDL print job or a command to perform a function not available on the printing device.