Print File Distribution via User Frequency in Image Forming Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing printing systems face challenges such as increased construction costs due to the need for a dedicated print server, storage capacity limitations in image forming apparatuses acting as master devices, and prolonged print times due to centralized data storage, which can lead to difficulties in printing when the server or master device is unavailable.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus and system that distribute print files based on user frequency, using a master device and slave devices connected via a network to temporarily save and move print files, ensuring they are stored in devices with sufficient capacity and high usage frequency, thereby reducing access concentration and shortening print times.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a dedicated print server is introduced to centrally save print files, then data storage capacity is improved, but construction costs and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the print server functionality with existing image forming apparatuses. Instead of introducing a separate dedicated print server, the system utilizes the storage and processing capabilities of image forming apparatuses that are already present in the network, thereby avoiding additional construction costs and system complexity while still achieving centralized print file management
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes image forming apparatuses serve multiple functions: they act as both printing devices and as distributed storage nodes for print files. By enabling image forming apparatuses to function as print servers, the system eliminates the need for dedicated print servers while utilizing existing multi-functional devices already deployed in the network
2Quantity of substance
If all print files are concentratedly saved in a print server, then data storage is improved, but printing availability decreases when the server is unavailable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the centralized storage function into distributed storage across multiple image forming apparatuses. Instead of concentrating all print files in a single print server, the system divides the storage responsibility among multiple devices in the network, so that if one device is unavailable, print files can still be accessed from other devices
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements redundancy by allowing print files to be stored in multiple locations simultaneously. This beforehand cushioning ensures that if the primary storage location (print server) becomes unavailable, alternative storage locations (other image forming apparatuses) are already prepared to provide the print files, thus maintaining printing availability
3Device complexity
If one image forming apparatus is set as a master device with print server function, then device complexity is reduced, but storage capacity is limited and processing capability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the storage function from the master device and distributes it across multiple slave devices in the network. Instead of requiring the master device to have sufficient storage capacity for all print files, the system divides the storage burden among multiple image forming apparatuses, thereby overcoming the storage capacity limitation of individual devices
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single-device storage model to a multi-device distributed storage model. By adding the dimension of multiple storage nodes across the network, the system overcomes the storage capacity limitations of individual image forming apparatuses while maintaining the simplicity of the master-device architecture
4Device complexity
If print files are centrally stored in a master device, then device complexity is reduced, but print time increases due to access concentration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the centralized access bottleneck into multiple distributed access points. Instead of all users accessing print files from a single master device, the system allows users to access print files from multiple slave devices, thereby reducing access concentration and decreasing print time
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements copying of print files to multiple slave devices in the network. By creating copies of print files across multiple image forming apparatuses, the system enables parallel access from multiple locations, eliminating the single-point access bottleneck and reducing overall print time
Data Source
AI summary
A storage unit that stores user use frequency information including a use count of a user, who uses an image forming apparatus, for each of image forming apparatuses, and that temporarily saves a print file which is input; a use frequency confirmation unit that confirms a use frequency of a given user for each of the image forming apparatuses by using the user use frequency information; and a file movement request unit that moves the print file, which is temporarily saved in the storage unit, to a different image forming apparatus are included. The use frequency confirmation unit selects one image forming apparatus which satisfies a predetermined movement condition by using the confirmed use frequency for each of the image forming apparatuses, and the file movement request unit moves the print file, which is temporarily saved in the storage unit, to the selected image forming apparatus.