Print Control Apparatus Registration Feedback and Server Communication

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users are not adequately informed on how to register their printing apparatuses on a server, leading to unclear requirements for enabling printing permissions.

Innovation Solution

A print control apparatus and method that checks registration status, inhibits printing if not registered, and prompts users to register, with a notification and registration request process to ensure the printing apparatus is registered before allowing printing, reducing server communication frequency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If printing is inhibited when the printing apparatus is not registered, then printing security is improved, but user guidance is worsened because users do not know how to register

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprinting securityVSAvoiduser guidance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides feedback to users when printing is inhibited by displaying a notification that includes specific guidance information about the registration process. This feedback loop informs users not only that printing is blocked but also exactly how to resolve the issue by registering their apparatus, thereby maintaining security while improving ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The notification serves as an intermediary between the printing inhibition mechanism and the user. It translates the technical restriction into actionable information, guiding users through the registration process without exposing the underlying security constraints, thus bridging the gap between security requirements and user-friendly operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If registration information is acquired from the server every time a print instruction is accepted, then printing control accuracy is improved, but communication frequency with the server increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprinting control accuracyVSAvoidcommunication frequency
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary registration information acquisition during the initial printing control setup rather than continuously updating. By acquiring registration status in advance and storing it locally, the system maintains accurate printing control without the need for constant server communication, thereby reducing communication frequency while preserving control precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of continuous acquisition, the system employs periodic or event-driven acquisition of registration information. Registration status is updated only when necessary (e.g., when a print instruction is received or when registration changes), creating a periodic action pattern that balances accuracy requirements with communication efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentUS8860974B2Print control apparatus and print control program
Publication Date: 2014.10.14 SEIKO EPSON CORP
  • US8860974B2 patent drawing
  • US8860974B2 patent drawing
  • US8860974B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A print control apparatus includes a communication unit which communicates with a server, a print instruction acceptance unit which accepts a print instruction to make a printing apparatus execute printing, a judgment unit which judges whether or not the printing apparatus is a registered printing apparatus, a permission unit which permits the printing apparatus to execute printing based on the print instruction when the printing apparatus has been judged to be the registered printing apparatus, a restriction unit which inhibits the printing apparatus from executing printing based on the print instruction when the printing apparatus has not been judged to be the registered printing apparatus, and a notification unit which makes a notification for prompting a user to register the printing apparatus on the server as the registered printing apparatus when the printing apparatus has not been judged to be the registered printing apparatus.