Intermediate Server Job Data Caching for Print Reliability
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Printing devices face challenges in executing print jobs when there are issues with upstream devices, particularly when push printing is disabled due to problems with the gateway server, leading to a failure in receiving print jobs.
Innovation Solution
An intermediate server is introduced outside the network, which receives job data and designation data for printing devices, saves job data if transfer to the distributing server fails, and sends saved data to the printing device upon request, enabling the execution of print jobs even if the upstream device is problematic.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If push printing is used to enable printing devices to receive print jobs automatically, then printing efficiency is improved, but reliability deteriorates when upstream devices have problems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a print server as an intermediary component between terminal devices and printing devices. The print server receives print jobs from terminals, manages job queues, and distributes jobs to appropriate printing devices. This intermediary layer isolates printing devices from direct dependency on upstream devices, allowing them to execute jobs even when upstream devices experience problems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by having the print server pre-process and queue print jobs before they reach the printing devices. Jobs are prepared, validated, and staged in the print server's memory, allowing printing devices to receive ready-to-execute jobs without needing to constantly check upstream device status. This preliminary preparation ensures jobs can be executed even if upstream devices fail during the printing process.
2Device complexity
If a simple direct connection is used between terminal and printing device, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability deteriorates when network conditions change
Solution Approach 1:
The print server is designed with multi-functionality to handle various network scenarios. It can operate in different modes (direct printing, queue management, job redistribution), support multiple printing devices simultaneously, and adapt to different network configurations. This universal design allows the system to maintain functionality across diverse network conditions without requiring complex reconfiguration at the printing device level.
3Speed
If printing devices continuously check for print jobs, then job reception speed is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous checking, the system implements periodic action where the print server polls for new print jobs at predetermined time intervals. This periodic polling mechanism maintains relatively fast job reception by checking frequently enough to catch jobs promptly, while significantly reducing energy consumption compared to continuous monitoring. The periodic nature allows the system to enter low-power states between polling cycles.
Data Source
AI summary
An intermediate server used outside a network having one or more printing devices and a distributing server for distributing data to each of said one or more printing devices is provided. The intermediate server includes a receiving portion for receiving job data for execution of a print job and designation data indicating an identifier of each executing printing device that is to execute the print job among the printing devices; a first transmission portion for sending, to the distributing server, the job data and the designation data received; a saving portion for saving the job data when the job data cannot be transferred to the distributing server; and a second transmission portion for sending, in response to a request from any one of the printing devices, the job data saved in the saving portion to the printing device as a request source.