Graphical Code Printing via Mobile Scan
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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 physically retrieve printed documents, 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 the documents into printable representations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If users manually initiate print requests and manage print configurations from work computers, then printing functionality is achieved, but the process becomes cumbersome and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The image forming apparatus autonomously retrieves documents from the server using credentials obtained through graphical code scanning, eliminating the need for users to manually initiate print requests and manage configurations from their work computers. The system performs self-service document retrieval and printing operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical process of initiating print requests from work computers is replaced by an automated system using graphical code images (QR codes) that encode document identifiers. The mobile device scans these codes to automatically trigger document retrieval and printing without manual configuration.
2Ease of operation
If users physically retrieve printed documents from printers, then document delivery is achieved, but the process is cumbersome and insecure
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces an intermediary authentication mechanism using graphical code images that mediate between the user's printing request and the document retrieval process. The coded credentials act as a secure intermediary that enables automated document delivery while maintaining security controls.
Solution Approach 2:
The physical manual retrieval process is replaced by an automated document delivery system. Documents are automatically delivered to designated locations or user devices based on the printing job configuration, eliminating the need for users to physically visit printers and manually collect documents.
3Productivity
If the system allows direct access to user documents on the network server, then document printing is enabled, but security risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses graphical code images as secure intermediaries that encode document identifiers and credentials. Instead of allowing direct access to user documents on the server, the system requires scanning and processing of these coded intermediaries to authenticate and retrieve documents, adding a security layer.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses copies of document identifiers encoded in graphical code images rather than direct access to the actual documents. The mobile device captures a copy (image) of the code, which then serves as the basis for authenticated document retrieval, preventing unauthorized direct access to server documents.
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, an image forming apparatus interface for receiving a set request identifying a user from the image forming apparatus and for providing associated document identifiers to the image forming apparatus, and a mobile device interface for receiving from the mobile device a document request containing a document identifier and for providing in response a document associated with the document identifier to the mobile device, the document identifier received by the mobile device from the image forming apparatus as a graphical code image. The mobile device includes a camera for capturing a snapshot of the graphical code image from the image forming apparatus, and a server interface for sending the document request to the server and for receiving the document.