Unified Imaging Job Language for Distributed Print and Scan Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current imaging technologies struggle to describe and manage complex imaging operations such as composite print and fax jobs, scan jobs, and document management across distributed environments, as they lack a unified language and interface for interoperability between imaging clients, servers, and devices, leading to limitations in job control and manual initiation of distributed operations.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a single imaging job language (IJL) and common interface across all imaging devices, clients, and servers allows for the construction and dispatch of composite imaging jobs, enabling programmable and selective distribution of imaging tasks across multiple devices and systems, using communication methods like LPR, SNMP, XML, and HTTP to ensure compatibility and interoperability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a unified imaging job language and common interface are implemented across all imaging devices, clients, and servers, then interoperability and automation of distributed imaging operations are improved, but device complexity and implementation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal imaging job language (IJL) and common interface that can be used across all imaging devices, clients, and servers regardless of manufacturer or device type. This allows a single job description to control diverse imaging operations (printing, scanning, faxing, document management) across heterogeneous systems, achieving multi-functionality and broad interoperability without requiring device-specific control languages.
2Manufacturing precision
If specialized print job control language is used for print operations, then print job control precision is improved, but the ability to describe composite imaging operations (scan, fax, archive) deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging job language (IJL) is designed as a universal control language that can describe multiple types of imaging operations including printing, scanning, faxing, and document management within a single job description. This eliminates the need for separate specialized languages for each operation type while maintaining precise control over the specific operation being performed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the imaging job description into distinct operational components that can be individually specified and controlled. Each imaging operation (print, scan, fax, archive) is represented as a separable task within the composite job, allowing precise control over each operation type while being managed through a unified language structure.
3Ease of operation
If manual initiation of distributed imaging operations is used, then ease of operation is maintained, but productivity and automation capability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables automated initiation and execution of distributed imaging operations through the unified IJL interface. Imaging jobs can be automatically routed to appropriate devices and systems without manual intervention, with the job language itself containing the necessary instructions for distribution and execution across the imaging network.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent allows imaging jobs to be pre-configured with complete operation sequences and device routing information in the job description itself. This preliminary setup enables automatic execution of complex distributed operations without requiring manual initiation or intervention during job processing.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for describing imaging tasks across a distributed environment of imaging clients, servers and devices, wherein the tasks include complex imaging operations, and interchanging imaging data and operations. The imaging jobs include diverse imaging tasks that can be constructed in a single program unit. The imaging tasks are constructed using a single imaging job language and common interface across all imaging devices, clients and servers, or managers thereof. A manager communicates with the imaging components through the common interface and translates the operations into the communication methods that are compatible with the devices, clients and servers. Composite imaging jobs are selectively dispatched to diverse imaging components through a single imaging spooler subsystem. Further, distribution may occur across various imaging devices, clients and/or servers, such that a first imaging system performs some subset of steps, deletes the executed steps and makes the appropriate substitutions or interchanges and the portion is performed by a second and/or subsequent imaging system.