Handheld Device Printing via Remote Server Intermediary
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Solution Overview
Problem
Handheld devices have limited or no support for printing due to their limited storage and processing capabilities, and the difficulty in associating a printer with a portable device that can be used anywhere.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that allows a handheld device to initiate a printing transaction by transmitting queries to a remote server, which processes and selects a printer based on location information to print documents, such as prescriptions, using page description languages to generate print representations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If handheld devices are made portable and compact, then ease of carrying and mobility are improved, but printing capability and storage capacity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
A remote server acts as an intermediary between the handheld device and the printer. The server receives print requests from the handheld device, processes them, and transmits them to the printer. This allows the handheld device to have printing capability without needing to include a printer physically, thus maintaining portability while enabling printing functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The printing function is segmented from the handheld device and placed on a remote server. The handheld device only handles the lightweight task of sending print requests, while the server handles the actual printing operations. This segmentation allows the handheld device to remain compact and portable while still providing printing capability through network connectivity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If printing capability is added to handheld devices, then versatility is improved, but device complexity and processing requirements worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The remote server serves as an intermediary that handles the complex processing tasks related to printing. It receives simple print requests from the handheld device, processes them into appropriate print commands, and sends them to the printer. This eliminates the need for the handheld device to have complex printing processing capabilities, thus maintaining simplicity while enabling printing functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The complex printing processing functionality is extracted from the handheld device and placed on a remote server. The handheld device only needs basic network communication capabilities to send print requests, while the server handles all the complex tasks of document processing, printer communication, and print job management. This extraction significantly reduces the processing requirements for the handheld device.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a printer is associated with a handheld device for printing, then printing capability is improved, but ease of portability and mobility worsen
Solution Approach 1:
A remote server acts as an intermediary that enables printing without requiring a physical printer to be attached to or carried with the handheld device. The server is accessible via network and can route print jobs to appropriate printers located anywhere in the network. This allows the handheld device to maintain full portability while having printing capability available through network connectivity.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of associating a printer in the same physical space as the handheld device, the system uses network space as another dimension for connection. The server acts as a virtual intermediary that bridges the handheld device and printers across the network, allowing printing capability to be accessed without physical proximity or attachment. This dimensional shift enables printing while maintaining mobility.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are provided through which a transaction, e.g., in a multi-tier, distributed application may be initiated from a portable or hand-held device, such as a smartphone. A computer system or systems, possibly remote from the device, may approve the transaction, complete it, or both, and the remote computer system or systems may cause a document to be printed, e.g., by a printer physically proximate to the device.Aspects of the invention are illustrated by embodiments in which a drug prescription may be created electronically using a hand-held device. In such an embodiment, the prescription may be transmitted to one or more remote computer systems, such as an application server, for processing. If specified, the remote computer systems may cause a prescription to be printed, e.g., at a printer near the prescriber's location. The prescriber may sign the printed prescription and give it to a patient or pharmacy.