Host-Generated Preview Files for Printing Apparatus Workload Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional printing systems that allow PCs to display preview images for printing job data stored in printing apparatuses have a higher probability of the printing apparatus being busy, as they require the apparatus to create preview image data, leading to increased workload and potential delays in printing operations.
Innovation Solution
A printing system where hosts create preview files for reserve job data and transmit them to the printing apparatus, allowing users to select and print job data sets while viewing preview images, thereby reducing the workload on the printing apparatus and enabling faster operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the printing apparatus creates preview image data for stored printing job data, then users can view preview images on their PCs to select jobs for printing, but the printing apparatus becomes busier and printing operations are delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The preview image creation function is extracted from the printing apparatus and transferred to the host PC. The host PC creates preview images locally using the print job data, and only transmits the preview image data and job information to the printing apparatus when needed for selection, not the full print data.
Solution Approach 2:
Preview image data serves as an intermediary between the print job data stored in the printing apparatus and the user's selection. The host PC acts as a mediator that retrieves print job data, creates previews, and facilitates user selection without requiring the printing apparatus to perform the creation process.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the printing apparatus stores and manages preview image data for multiple printing jobs, then users can effectively utilize stored job data even when they forget job names, but the apparatus requires more memory and processing resources
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of storing full preview images in the printing apparatus, the system creates and stores compressed preview image data on the host PC's hard disk. The printing apparatus only stores references to these previews and the associated job information, significantly reducing memory requirements while maintaining the ability to display previews for job selection.
Solution Approach 2:
The preview storage is moved from the printing apparatus's limited memory to the host PC's large hard disk storage. This dimensional shift in storage capacity allows comprehensive preview storage for multiple jobs without constraining the printing apparatus's memory resources.
3Ease of operation
If the printing apparatus processes and transmits selection screen information to user PCs, then users can select print jobs, but the communication time and system response time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The host PC prepares and displays the selection screen with preview images locally before communicating with the printing apparatus. When a user selects a job, the host PC already has the job information ready to transmit, eliminating the need for the printing apparatus to generate and transmit the entire selection screen data over the network.
Solution Approach 2:
The selection process is segmented into local preview display on the host PC and minimal data transmission to the printing apparatus. Only essential job identification data and selection commands are transmitted over the network, rather than complete screen information, reducing communication overhead and improving response time.
Data Source
AI summary
According to a printing system of the present invention, each host performs a process for creating and storing a preview file when transmitting reserve job data to a printing apparatus, and a process for generating and transmitting reserve job data that includes preview file designation data representing the storage location of the preview file. The printing apparatus manages each set of preview file designation data in correlation with reserve job data, and supplies a preview file correlated with reserve job data, or preview file designation data, to the host that requires the preview file.