Portable Device Printing via Document Optical Code
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Solution Overview
Problem
Printing from portable devices is complicated due to lack of memory or computing power to support printer drivers, difficulty in discovering nearby printers, and security concerns related to network access, requiring costly and retrofitted hardware.
Innovation Solution
A system that generates a document optical code, which can be scanned by a printer to retrieve and print documents from a server, eliminating the need for printer discovery and driver installation, and ensuring security through encryption and access control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional printing methods are used from portable devices, then printing functionality can be achieved, but the device requires significant memory and computing power to support printer drivers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the printer driver functionality from the portable device and places it on the server. The server stores printer driver information and handles the printing logic, while the portable device only needs to access this information through an optical code. This extraction eliminates the need for the portable device to have sufficient memory or computing power to support printer drivers locally.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an optical code as an intermediary between the portable device and the printer driver system. The optical code contains encoded information that directs the portable device to retrieve printer driver information from a server, acting as a mediator that bridges the gap without requiring the portable device to directly support printer drivers.
2Adaptability or versatility
If printer discovery mechanisms are implemented, then nearby printers can be found, but the process is time-consuming and may not always be successful
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-encoding printer identification and driver information into optical codes that are accessible via email attachments or URLs. Instead of performing time-consuming discovery processes at the moment of printing, the system prepares the connection information in advance, allowing the portable device to directly access printer information when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/network-based printer discovery system with an optical information system. Instead of using network protocols to discover and connect to printers, the system uses optical codes (visual information) that contain direct references to printer drivers and connection information, eliminating the need for complex discovery mechanisms.
3Adaptability or versatility
If network access to printers is enabled, then printing from portable devices is possible, but security concerns arise regarding unauthorized access
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces multiple layers of intermediaries to secure the printing process. Email servers act as intermediaries that verify user identities and control document access. Optical codes serve as intermediaries that encode secure references to printer drivers. These intermediaries create a secure chain of trust that prevents unauthorized access while enabling network printing capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements self-service security mechanisms where the email server automatically verifies user credentials and controls document access without requiring additional security configuration on the portable device. The optical code system automatically provides secure access to printer drivers based on the user's email authentication, eliminating the need for complex security setup while maintaining security.
4Adaptability or versatility
If complete printing functionality is provided, then all document formats can be printed, but the system becomes complex requiring multiple attachments and steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal system where a single optical code mechanism handles multiple functions: it provides printer driver information, document access control, and format compatibility. The server-side infrastructure universally supports various document formats and printer types, while the portable device interface remains simple and consistent through the optical code, eliminating the need for device-specific complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
One embodiment provides a system for facilitating document printing from a portable device. During operation, the system receives at an email server an email which includes an attached document. Next, the system generates at the email server a document optical code associated with the document, wherein the document optical code can be scanned and recognized by a scanning mechanism associated with a printer. Subsequently, the system attaches the optical code as an additional attachment to the email, thereby allowing a portable device to print the attached document by displaying the optical code to the scanning mechanism associated with the printer.