Image Forming Apparatus Server Discovery for Pull Printing
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Solution Overview
Problem
In a pull-printing system, mobile terminal devices with standard print functions cannot perform printing when print data needs to be sent via a server, as they are restricted from direct output to image forming apparatuses, limiting user convenience.
Innovation Solution
A mechanism that allows the image forming apparatus to include information needed for printing via a print server in its response to inquiries from mobile terminal devices, enabling the discovery and use of a print server using the standard print function, allowing printing to be performed through the server while maintaining user convenience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a pull-print system is constructed where print data must be sent via a server, then user management and printing control are improved, but mobile terminal devices with standard print functions cannot perform printing as they are restricted from direct output to image forming apparatuses
Solution Approach 1:
The image forming apparatus acts as an intermediary between the mobile terminal device and the print server. It receives print data from the mobile device, forwards it to the print server for processing and user management, then retrieves and outputs the printed data. This mediator role allows standard print functions to work while maintaining server-based control.
Solution Approach 2:
The printing process is segmented into distinct stages: data transmission from mobile device to image forming apparatus, server-side processing and user management, and final output retrieval. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specialized function while maintaining overall system control.
2Reliability
If direct output from mobile terminal devices to image forming apparatuses is restricted, then user management via server is improved, but the ability to perform printing using standard print functions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The image forming apparatus is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a direct print receiver and as a server intermediary. It maintains compatibility with standard print functions while simultaneously supporting server-based pull printing operations, making it adaptable to different printing scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The image forming apparatus mediates between standard print protocols and server-based pull printing systems, enabling universal compatibility. It translates standard print function requests into server-compatible operations, allowing diverse devices to work together regardless of their native printing capabilities.
Data Source
AI summary
A printing system includes a terminal device, an image forming apparatus, and a server. The terminal device makes an inquiry to the image forming apparatus, receives information for specifying the server as a designation of print data, and sends print data to the server specified by the received information. The image forming apparatus causes the image forming apparatus to transmit the information for specifying the server as a designation of print data to be transmitted from the terminal device in a response to the received inquiry, acquires the print data the terminal device has transmitted to the specified server from the specified server, and executes a printing process based on the acquired print data.