Graphical Code Image Printing via Mobile Intermediary
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current printing systems for network documents are inefficient, requiring users to manually initiate print requests, manage print configurations, and retrieve hard copies from printers, which can be cumbersome and insecure, especially in multi-user environments.
Innovation Solution
A printing system that uses graphical code images, such as QR codes, to transfer document identifiers between mobile devices and image forming apparatuses, allowing users to select and print documents securely by scanning these codes, which are then used by a server to retrieve and convert documents into printable representations for printing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If users manually initiate print requests and manage print configurations from work computers, then printing functionality is achieved, but the process becomes cumbersome and insecure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a mobile device as an intermediary between the user and the printing system. The mobile device captures graphical code images from the display device, extracts document identifiers, and transmits them to the image forming apparatus. This intermediary approach eliminates the need for users to manually configure print settings on work computers, thereby improving security while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical interaction (manual print configuration on work computers) with an optical system. Users simply capture graphical code images using mobile device cameras, and the system automatically processes the document identifiers. This substitution of optical recognition for manual configuration improves both security and convenience.
2Ease of operation
If users directly access and manage documents on printers, then document retrieval is possible, but security is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the document identifier information from graphical code images displayed on secure devices and uses only this extracted information to initiate printing. The actual document remains on the secure server or display device, never transferred to or stored on the image forming apparatus. This extraction approach enables document access while maintaining security.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a visual copy (graphical code image) of the document identifier that can be captured by mobile devices. This copy contains sufficient information to initiate printing without requiring the original document to be physically present or accessible on the printer, thus enabling access while preserving security.
3Productivity
If traditional print request systems are used, then documents can be printed, but the process is inefficient and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-generating graphical code images that contain document identifiers before the printing process begins. These codes are displayed on devices, allowing users to quickly capture and transmit print requests without manual configuration. This preliminary preparation significantly improves printing efficiency and reduces time loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service printing where the mobile device automatically captures the graphical code image, extracts the document identifier, and transmits the print request without requiring user intervention for configuration. This automation eliminates time-consuming manual steps and improves overall printing productivity.
Data Source
AI summary
A system comprises a server, a mobile device and an image forming apparatus. The server includes a storage manager for managing storage of documents and associated document identifiers, a mobile device interface for receiving a set request identifying a user from the mobile device and for providing associated document identifiers to the mobile device, and an image forming apparatus interface for receiving from the image forming apparatus a document request containing a document identifier and for providing in response a document associated with the document identifier to the image forming apparatus, the document identifier received by the image forming apparatus from the mobile device as a graphical code image. The image forming apparatus includes a scanner for scanning the graphical code image from the mobile device, and a server interface for sending the document request to the server and for receiving the document.