Network Printer Server Distributing Print Jobs

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional image forming apparatuses require installing separate printer drivers on client terminals for each connected device, leading to inefficiencies in setting up network environments and prolonged printing times for large copy jobs.

Innovation Solution

An image forming apparatus that includes an information providing part for displaying available printers to users and a print request part that distributes print data and requests to selected printers, allowing printing without the need for specific drivers on client terminals and enabling simultaneous printing across multiple devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If printer driver programs are installed in each client terminal for each connected printer, then printing function is achieved, but enormous efforts are required to construct the printer environment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprinting functionVSAvoidprinter environment construction

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a server as an intermediary component between client terminals and printers. The server manages printer driver installation and print job distribution, allowing clients to access printers without installing drivers locally. This mediator approach eliminates the complexity of configuring multiple drivers on each client while maintaining printing functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The server provides universal access to multiple printers for any client terminal. Instead of requiring client-specific driver configurations, the server offers a unified interface that works across different client systems, enabling any client to print to any printer through the server's centralized management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Productivity

If a single printer is used for printing multiple copies, then printing function is provided, but much time is required to print all copies successively

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprinting speedVSAvoidtime to print all copies

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the printing task across multiple printers instead of concentrating all copies on a single device. The server distributes print jobs to multiple printers simultaneously, allowing parallel processing of copy operations. This segmentation enables multiple copies to be produced concurrently rather than sequentially, significantly reducing total printing time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system maintains continuous printing operations by distributing copies across multiple printers that can operate simultaneously. While one printer is processing a job, other printers continue processing other copies, ensuring continuous productive action without idle time between sequential printing operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Data Source

PatentUS8115943B2Image forming apparatus and print process method

Publication Date: 2012.02.14 RICOH CO LTD

AI summary

An image forming apparatus is provided, in which the image forming apparatus includes: an information providing part for providing, to a client terminal, screen data for selecting one or more image forming apparatuses among from a plurality of image forming apparatuses connected to a network; and a print request part for distributing print data and a print request to the selected one or more image forming apparatuses.