Manager MFP Serverless Print Job Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming systems require a server computer to manage and transmit print jobs, which can be inefficient and limit the ability to perform pull print functions without a server, especially when ID card information management is involved.
Innovation Solution
An image forming system comprising a computer, a manager Multifunction Peripheral (MFP), and client MFPs connected via a network, where the manager MFP manages print jobs and ID card information, allowing for pull print operations without relying on a server computer by using distinct port numbers and communication protocols for usual and pull print functions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a server computer is used to manage and transmit print jobs, then centralized job management is achieved, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the server computer component from the traditional print management system. Instead of using a dedicated server, the system allows image forming apparatuses to directly receive and manage print jobs from client devices through network communication, eliminating the intermediate server layer while maintaining centralized management capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The image forming apparatus performs self-service by directly receiving print jobs from client devices and managing its own job queue without requiring a central server. The apparatus autonomously handles job reception, processing, and execution, reducing system complexity while maintaining operational efficiency
2Ease of operation
If a server computer is required for pull print functionality, then job management is centralized, but the system cannot operate without a server
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the server computer requirement from pull print functionality. The image forming apparatus directly communicates with client devices through network ports, extracting the intermediate server layer and enabling pull print operations to function independently without centralized server management
Solution Approach 2:
The image forming apparatus is designed with multi-functionality to handle both regular print jobs and pull print operations without requiring different system architectures. The same apparatus can operate in server-dependent mode for regular printing and server-independent mode for pull print, providing universal functionality across different operational modes
3Reliability
If ID card information management is integrated into the image forming apparatus, then authentication capability is enhanced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the ID card reading function with the image forming apparatus by integrating an ID card reader directly into the device. This combination allows the apparatus to perform both document formation and user authentication functions, enhancing reliability while managing complexity through functional integration rather than separate systems
Solution Approach 2:
The image forming apparatus is designed with universal functionality to handle multiple operations including printing, scanning, copying, and ID card-based authentication. This multi-functional design consolidates what would otherwise require separate devices, managing overall system complexity while enhancing authentication capability
Data Source
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AI summary
An image forming apparatus (30) includes a printer (34), a communication unit (36), a print executing unit (39a), a job managing unit (39b), and an another-apparatus transmitting unit (39c). The printer (34) executes print on a recording medium. The communication unit (36) performs communications. The print executing unit (39a) causes the printer (34) to perform a print job addressing a first port number (38c) received by the communication unit (36). The job managing unit (39b) manages a print job addressing a second port number (38d) received by the communication unit (36). The second port number (38d) is different from the first port number (38c). The another-apparatus transmitting unit (39c) transmits the print job managed by the job managing unit (39b) to another image forming apparatus (40) upon request from the other image forming apparatus (40) via the communication unit (36).