Print Control System Asynchronous Duplex Communication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing print control systems face compatibility issues when a printer and a print control device communicate over a network, requiring complex configurations and specialized knowledge to establish asynchronous duplex communication paths.
Innovation Solution
A print control system that includes a print control device and a printer, where the print control device establishes an asynchronous duplex communication path and generates print data, and the printer receives and prints based on the data, using WebSocket communication for asynchronous duplex communication, allowing for seamless network communication between devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a printer and a print control device communicate over a network using traditional methods, then the system can be built with network connectivity, but the system becomes incompatible with configurations where multiple devices communicate over the network and requires complex operations and specialized knowledge to establish communication paths
Solution Approach 1:
The print control device is designed with universal communication capabilities that allow it to function as both a client and a server, and to establish communication paths with multiple printers simultaneously. The device can initiate communication with printers and also accept connection requests from printers, making it compatible with various network configurations without requiring specialized knowledge for each scenario.
Solution Approach 2:
The print control device acts as an intermediary between the network and printers, managing communication path establishment automatically. It includes a communication path management unit that handles the complexity of establishing and maintaining communication paths, thereby shielding users from the underlying complexity while enabling versatile network configurations.
2Ease of operation
If traditional communication methods are used between printer and print control device, then basic printing functionality is achieved, but the system requires complex operations and specialized knowledge to establish asynchronous duplex communication paths
Solution Approach 1:
The print control device automatically manages the establishment and maintenance of communication paths with printers. The communication path management unit performs self-service functions by automatically initiating connections, managing connection states, and ensuring communication continuity without requiring user intervention or specialized knowledge, thereby making the system easy to operate while maintaining full communication capability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the print control device initiates communication with the printer, then asynchronous duplex communication can be established, but compatibility with configurations where the printer initiates communication is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The communication mode of the print control device is dynamic and adaptable. It can switch between initiating communication with the printer and accepting connection requests from the printer based on the specific network configuration. This dynamic capability allows the device to adapt to different scenarios (push communication, pull communication, or bidirectional communication) without increasing the perceived complexity for users, as the adaptation is handled automatically by the communication path management unit.
Data Source
AI summary
A print control system 1 includes a control server 10 that opens a communication path for asynchronous duplex communication, generates print data, and outputs the generated print data by the opened communication path; and a printer 12 that opens a communication path, receives the print data by the opened communication path, and prints based on the received print data.