Image Forming Apparatus Print Data Acquisition via Polling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cloud printing systems face issues where image forming apparatuses cannot receive print jobs due to lack of notifications from servers, temporary communication failures, or incomplete printing processes, leading to delayed or missed print jobs and unintended printing times.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus equipped with a controller that initiates both notification-based and user-operation-based print data acquisition processes, allowing it to receive print jobs from a cloud server through an always-on connection and user-initiated requests, ensuring timely and user-controlled printing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the image forming apparatus waits for server notification to acquire print data, then the apparatus can receive print jobs through automated notification, but the job cannot be received unless a notification is received and the apparatus needs to wait for receiving a job until a notification is acquired
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus performs preliminary actions by periodically polling the server for print data even without receiving a notification. The controller is configured to acquire print data from the server both in response to notifications and through periodic polling operations, ensuring that print jobs are not missed due to notification timing issues or communication failures.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the server issues notifications at constant period, then the server operates with predictable notification timing, but no notification is issued until predetermined timing comes causing the image forming apparatus to wait
Solution Approach 1:
The system maintains continuous action by combining the server's periodic notification mechanism with the apparatus's periodic polling. While the server continues its stable periodic notifications, the apparatus simultaneously performs periodic polling to continuously check for available print data, eliminating idle waiting periods while maintaining system stability.
3Extent of automation
If the image forming apparatus acquires print data upon notification from server, then automated print job reception is enabled, but in situations where server and apparatus cannot communicate temporarily or notification conditions are not met, the apparatus cannot receive notification nor receive a job
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback by having the apparatus periodically poll the server to check for print data availability. This feedback mechanism allows the apparatus to detect and acquire print jobs even when the server's notification system fails due to communication issues or unmet notification conditions, complementing the automated notification-based acquisition.
4Loss of time
If printing is interrupted due to powering-off during downloading after notification, then the notification is considered completed by the server, but no more notification is issued and the job cannot be received
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus performs preliminary polling actions to check for print data that may have been notified but not yet acquired due to previous interruptions. By periodically polling the server, the apparatus can detect and acquire previously notified jobs that were missed during powering-off events, ensuring complete job reception.
5Productivity
If the image forming apparatus starts printing immediately upon receiving print data, then automated printing is efficient, but if print job is received at timing not intended by user and printing is started, the user may forget to take a printed matter
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the preliminary action of acquiring print data from the final action of printing. The apparatus can acquire and store print data in memory or on storage medium without immediately printing, allowing users to review available jobs and initiate printing at their convenience through the operation unit, thus maintaining efficiency while providing user control.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus capable of communicating with an external device which manages print data includes an operating unit and a controller. The operating unit receives a user operation of an operating user. The controller includes circuitry or a processor to execute instructions stored in a memory to acquire unacquired print data from the external device based on a receiving process performed first after start-up of the image forming apparatus among a plurality of receiving processes including a first receiving process for receiving a notification which encourages acquisition of print data and a second receiving process for receiving the user operation by the operating unit.