Hot Folder Print Control Apparatus Data Acquisition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hot folder systems face inefficiencies when handling large print data, requiring prolonged copying times and slowing down user operations, and encounter issues with data acquisition due to network access failures or printer data reference limitations, leading to inefficient printing.
Innovation Solution
A print control apparatus that monitors file submissions to a hot folder, identifies reference information files, determines whether to acquire external content files, and generates print data including reference information, optimizing the print process by distributing data acquisition tasks between the print control apparatus and the print apparatus based on available resources and network access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If large-sized print data is copied into the hot folder, then the file can be stored for printing, but it takes much time to copy the file and user operations are slowed down
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the data into two parts: a small reference information file (stored in hot folder) and large external content file (stored externally). This segmentation allows the hot folder to store minimal data while referencing large files externally, eliminating long copying times while maintaining data availability for printing
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a reference information file as an intermediary that contains metadata and path information about the external content file. This intermediary enables the print system to access large files without copying them into the hot folder, resolving the contradiction between data storage reliability and copying time
2Adaptability or versatility
If a job ticket with address is used instead of file entity, then network location can be specified, but the file entity cannot be acquired when network access fails
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary actions by storing both the reference information file (with network location) and the external content file locally in the hot folder before printing. This preliminary local storage ensures that even if network access fails during printing, the data is already available and can be acquired reliably
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a backup mechanism by pre-acquiring and storing the external content file locally in the hot folder alongside the reference information file. This beforehand cushioning protects against network access failures during the printing process, ensuring data acquisition reliability
3Ease of operation
If the printer has data reference capability and acquires data, then printing can be performed, but it cannot efficiently print when HDD usage or job amount exceeds limit
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the data storage responsibility between the hot folder (storing reference information files and pre-acquired content) and external storage (storing large content files). This segmentation reduces the HDD usage burden on the printer, allowing it to maintain data reference capability while improving printing efficiency even when job amounts are large
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary data acquisition and storage in the hot folder before the printing process. By pre-acquiring external content files and storing them locally when they are submitted to the hot folder, the system reduces the printing workload and improves printing efficiency, preventing printer overload when job amounts exceed limits
Data Source
AI summary
In a print control apparatus which causes a print apparatus to print via a hot folder, it is monitored whether a file is submitted to the hot folder. Upon submitting the file, it is identified whether the submitted file is a reference information file indicating an external content file, and, upon identifying the reference information file, it is determined whether an acquisition process of acquiring the external content file indicated by the reference information file is to be executed by the print control apparatus or the print apparatus. Upon determining that the acquisition process is to be executed by the print control apparatus, print data is generated based on the acquired external content file, and, upon determining that the acquisition process is to be executed by the print apparatus, print data including the reference information file indicating the external content file is generated.