Print Data Routing for Power-Saving Image Forming Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing printing systems cannot print data stored in image forming apparatuses that are turned off, leading to reduced usability and increased power consumption due to the need to activate idle devices for printing.
Innovation Solution
The system includes a first and second information processing apparatus and an image forming apparatus, where the first apparatus generates and transmits identification information for PDL data, allowing the image forming apparatus to acquire and print data directly from either the first or second apparatus without needing the second apparatus to be active, even if the document reception device is turned off or in a power-saving state.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If print data is stored in an image forming apparatus, then the apparatus can print the data when needed, but the apparatus must remain turned on to maintain printing capability
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by storing print data and generating identification information in advance on the server apparatus before the image forming apparatus needs to print. When the image forming apparatus requests printing, the server can quickly retrieve and transmit the pre-stored data without requiring the image forming apparatus to have been previously activated or have data locally cached.
2Adaptability or versatility
If print data is concentrated in server apparatuses, then any image forming apparatus can access the data, but the server apparatuses experience high load concentration
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the printing workload by separating data storage and identification information generation (performed by the server apparatus) from data retrieval and printing execution (performed by distributed image forming apparatuses). The server stores multiple pieces of print data and generates identification information for each, then distributes this identification information to multiple image forming apparatuses. This segmentation allows the server to handle less intensive operations while multiple client apparatuses share the printing load, reducing concentration of computational power requirements on the server.
3Loss of energy
If the image forming apparatus is turned off to save power, then energy consumption is reduced, but printing opportunities are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The server apparatus acts as an intermediary that stores print data and generates identification information in advance. When an image forming apparatus is turned off, the printing request can still be initiated, and the server apparatus will retrieve the pre-stored data and transmit it to the image forming apparatus when it becomes available. This intermediary mechanism decouples the timing of data storage from the timing of printing execution, allowing the image forming apparatus to remain powered off without losing printing opportunities.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming system includes a first information processing apparatus, a second information processing apparatus, and an image forming apparatus. The image forming system is capable of performing a process of transmitting PDL data acquired by the first information processing apparatus to the second information processing apparatus and, then, transmitting the PDL data to the image forming apparatus to use the PDL data for image formation and a process of transmitting the PDL data acquired by the first information processing apparatus to the image forming apparatus in response to a request from the image forming apparatus without transmitting the PDL data to the second information processing apparatus to use the PDL data for image formation.