Peer-to-Peer Digital Front End Synchronization for Printing Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Print shops with multiple printing devices face high costs and limitations due to the need for centralized servers or cloud services for synchronization, especially in secure environments or areas with poor internet infrastructure, as existing solutions require persistent internet connections and expensive output management servers.
Innovation Solution
A peer-to-peer network is established between digital front ends of printing devices to synchronize configuration information and resources, allowing devices to share and update information without a centralized server, using protocols like XJMF, SMB, or SNMP, enabling merging or replacing of resource information and resolving conflicts through operator intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a centralized server is used for printing device synchronization, then configuration synchronization is achieved, but system cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The printing devices perform self-synchronization by directly exchanging configuration information with each other through peer-to-peer communication. Each device acts as both a client and server, eliminating the need for an external centralized server and reducing system cost while maintaining synchronization reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple printing devices into a peer-to-peer network where they share configuration information directly. By merging the synchronization functionality into the devices themselves rather than requiring a separate server infrastructure, the system achieves cost-effective configuration management.
2Device complexity
If cloud service is used for resource management, then synchronization functionality is reduced in cost, but persistent internet connection is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the synchronization system into independent peer-to-peer connections between printing devices, eliminating dependency on external cloud infrastructure. This segmentation allows the system to function autonomously in any environment with or without internet connectivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a local peer-to-peer communication channel as an intermediary between printing devices, replacing the need for internet-based cloud services. This local mediation enables configuration exchange without requiring persistent internet connections or external cloud infrastructure.
3Ease of operation
If centralized server is used for synchronization, then configuration management is centralized, but updates from devices are not retrieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional client-server model by allowing printing devices to actively push configuration updates to each other. Instead of a central server retrieving updates from devices, each device can initiate updates to its peers, ensuring that device-generated configuration changes are automatically propagated throughout the network.
Data Source
AI summary
A peer-to-peer network of printing devices is configured to share information and color printing resources, such as TRCs, spot colors, and ICC profiles, as well as paper catalogs within the network without the need for a centralized server or cloud service. The digital front ends (DFEs) of the printing devices manage printing device information which is made available to all printing devices. When an update occurs at a printing device within the peer-to-peer network, its DFE sends a signal to the other printing devices to synchronize their information with the updated information. When a new printing device is added to the peer-to-peer network, its information and color printing resources are merged or replaced with the information within the network.