Management Server for Driver-Free Image Printing

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Users are required to install a device driver on terminal devices to control image processing apparatuses for printing image data, which is inconvenient and limits the ability to print images without such installations.

Innovation Solution

A management server is introduced that communicates with image processing apparatuses and terminal devices, allowing image data to be transmitted and processed without the need for a device driver on the terminal device, using location information and identification information to facilitate printing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a device driver is installed on the terminal device to control the image processing apparatus for printing, then the image processing apparatus can be controlled to print image data, but the terminal device requires additional software installation which is inconvenient and limits printing capability without installation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprinting capabilityVSAvoidsoftware installation requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a management server as an intermediary between the terminal device and the image processing apparatus. The terminal device transmits image data to the management server, which then transmits the data to the image processing apparatus for printing. This mediator eliminates the need for device driver installation on the terminal device while maintaining full printing functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If device drivers are required on terminal devices for printing, then printing control is achieved, but the system becomes less adaptable to different environments and devices

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecross-environment printingVSAvoiddriver installation process

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The management server acts as a universal intermediary that handles communication between diverse terminal devices and image processing apparatus. By centralizing the communication protocol and data format management on the server side, the system achieves high adaptability across different environments without requiring terminal devices to install specific drivers for each apparatus.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The management server provides universal functionality by supporting multiple types of terminal devices and image processing apparatus through a single platform. The server handles various data formats and communication protocols, making the printing system universally accessible without device-specific installations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If image data is stored and processed locally on the image processing apparatus, then printing can be performed, but large-capacity memory is required in the image processing apparatus

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprinting functionVSAvoidmemory capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the image data storage function from the image processing apparatus and relocates it to the management server. The terminal device transmits image data to the management server for storage, and the server manages the data until printing is required. This extraction reduces the memory capacity requirement of the image processing apparatus while maintaining full printing functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Productivity

If device drivers are installed on terminal devices to enable printing, then printing control is achieved, but updates to printing functionality require software updates on terminal devices

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprinting functionalityVSAvoidfunctionality updates

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The management server serves as the central point for managing printing functionality and updates. Since the server mediates all communication between terminal devices and image processing apparatus, any updates to printing functionality can be implemented on the server side without requiring updates on terminal devices. The server handles all protocol changes and functional enhancements centrally.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS10445032B2Management server communicating with image processing apparatus and terminal device

Publication Date: 2019.10.15 ELLISON BENJAMIN R

AI summary

A management server receives a location information request from an image processing apparatus. The location information request is for requesting location information of the management server. The location information is for allowing a terminal device to transmit original image data to the management server. The management server transmits the location information to the image processing apparatus as a response to the location information request. The management server receives the original image data which is transmitted from the terminal device by using the location data. The management server stores the received original image data. The management server transmits identification information identifying the original image data to the terminal device. The management server receives specific information which enables specification of the identification information from the image processing apparatus. The management server transmits target image data based on the original image data identified by the identification information specified by the specific information.