Logical Interface Segmentation for Accurate Print Data Counting
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Solution Overview
Problem
In existing image forming systems, there is a risk that a server may erroneously recognize instruction information as print data, leading to inaccurate counting of the number of sheets printed by an image forming apparatus.
Innovation Solution
The system employs a non-transitory computer-readable medium with instructions that differentiate between image forming instructions and print data, using separate logical interfaces for communication, ensuring that preparation information and image forming data are transmitted and received appropriately, preventing misidentification by the server.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the server monitors all data received by the image forming apparatus to count printed sheets, then the sheet counting function is provided, but the server may erroneously recognize preparation information as print data, leading to inaccurate counting
Solution Approach 1:
The communication interface is divided into two separate logical interfaces: a first logical interface for transmitting preparation information and a second logical interface for transmitting print data. This segmentation allows the server to distinguish between preparation information and actual print data, preventing erroneous recognition and ensuring accurate sheet counting.
2Device complexity
If a single logical interface is used for both preparation information and print data transmission, then the device complexity is reduced, but the server cannot distinguish between preparation information and print data
Solution Approach 1:
The single logical interface is segmented into two distinct logical interfaces: the first logical interface exclusively for preparation information and the second logical interface exclusively for print data. This segmentation preserves data type identification information, allowing the server to accurately distinguish between different types of data without adding excessive complexity.
3Productivity
If preparation information is transmitted before print data to enable advance preparation operations, then the image formation speed is improved, but the risk of misidentification by the server increases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the communication interface into two logical interfaces, the system maintains the beneficial sequence of transmitting preparation information first (improving productivity) while eliminating the risk of misidentification. The server can reliably distinguish between preparation information on the first interface and print data on the second interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The first logical interface acts as an intermediary channel that separates preparation information from the main print data transmission path. This intermediary structure allows advance preparation operations to occur without interfering with the accurate identification of print data by the server.
Data Source
AI summary
A non-transitory computer-readable medium stores computer-readable instructions that are executable by a processor coupled with an information processing device. The information processing device includes a physical communication interface including a first logical interface and a second logical interface. The instructions are configured to, when executed by the processor, cause the information processing device to, in response to receiving an image forming instruction from an operating system, generate preparation information instructing an image forming apparatus to perform a preparation operation, which is an operation to be performed in advance of image formation based on image forming data, transmit the preparation information to the image forming apparatus via the first logical interface, which is configured to communicate data other than the image forming data, and generate the image forming data to be transmitted to the image forming apparatus via the second logical interface, in accordance with the image forming instruction.