Print Data Transmission via Notification Server Mediator
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Users face difficulties in printing documents from a virtual desktop session on a mobile terminal outside the corporate network, as they lack access to locally connected printers and must manually convert and transfer files, which is impractical.
Innovation Solution
A method that involves registering a mobile terminal, generating print data on a virtual printer installed on the server, and forwarding it to a locally connected printer, with the mobile terminal notified of the print data availability and given the option to confirm and select printers or modify settings before transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a user accesses a virtual desktop session on a server via mobile terminal, then centralized data processing and management are achieved, but access to locally connected printers is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a notification server as an intermediary component that enables communication between the server and mobile terminal. This mediator receives print data from the server, stores it temporarily, and notifies the mobile terminal, which then forwards the data to local printers. This intermediary resolves the contradiction by enabling printer access without requiring direct network connectivity between the server and local printers.
Solution Approach 2:
The printing process is segmented into distinct stages: (1) print data generation on the server, (2) notification and storage via the notification server, (3) mobile terminal retrieval and forwarding, and (4) local printer execution. This segmentation allows each component to operate independently, resolving the contradiction by enabling printer access through a distributed, multi-step process rather than requiring direct server-printer connectivity.
2Ease of operation
If print data are generated on the server and forwarded directly to printers, then the printing process is simple, but mobile terminals outside the corporate network cannot access printers
Solution Approach 1:
The notification server performs preliminary actions by storing print data temporarily and notifying the mobile terminal before the actual printing occurs. This preliminary storage and notification mechanism ensures that print data are available to the mobile terminal even when outside the corporate network, resolving the contradiction by enabling printing availability through advance data preparation and notification.
Solution Approach 2:
The notification server acts as an intermediary that decouples the server from local printers, allowing print data to be transmitted and stored independently of the printing action. This intermediary enables reliable printing availability by ensuring data are prepared and made accessible before the mobile terminal needs to forward them to local printers, without requiring direct server-printer connectivity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If manual file conversion and transfer are required for printing, then printer compatibility is achieved, but user effort and time increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-service by automatically handling print data conversion and formatting. The server generates print data in appropriate formats, and the notification server stores them without requiring user intervention for conversion. This self-service approach resolves the contradiction by achieving printer compatibility through automatic format handling rather than manual user conversion, eliminating time loss while maintaining versatility.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for transmitting print data, a server (120) and a mobile terminal (100). The invention further relates to a corresponding computer-readable storage medium. In the method, steps are carried out which include receiving the print job, conversion into the printer-specific format, saving the printer-specific format on another server (130), informing the mobile terminal (100) of the completed conversion, reporting the completed conversion to the user and, after confirmation from the user, transmitting the print data to the mobile terminal (100), in order to forward the print data in a last step to a printer (200) connected to the mobile terminal (100).