Print Intermediation Server Automating Print Condition Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing printer technologies require users to pre-register printer conditions and select print settings manually, which can be inconvenient, especially when using intermediation servers like Google Cloud Print, as users need to access the printer's web server and register actual print conditions, and select settings during the submission process.
Innovation Solution
A system where a terminal device communicates with a print intermediation server to register file-related information, receives print condition information from a printer, displays selection screens for users to choose settings, and sends print instructions to the printer, which then obtains print data from the server, allowing for easier and more user-friendly printing operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If users manually register printer conditions and select print settings during submission, then print control precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The terminal device automatically obtains print condition information from the printer and performs self-service in selecting appropriate print settings, eliminating the need for manual user input while maintaining precise print control through automated decision-making algorithms
Solution Approach 2:
The server acts as an intermediary between the terminal device and printer, automatically managing print condition registration and setting selection. The server receives print condition information from the printer, processes it, and returns appropriate settings to the terminal device, thereby improving ease of operation while maintaining print precision
2Reliability
If users access printer web server to register print conditions, then reliability of print information is improved, but loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The printer pre-registers its print condition information with the server in advance, so that when a user wants to print, the information is already available. This eliminates the need for users to access the printer web server at the moment of printing, thereby reducing time loss while maintaining reliable print information through the server's stored data
3Ease of operation
If print condition information is obtained from printer, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into distinct functional modules: the printer that collects and transmits print condition information, the server that stores and processes this information, and the terminal device that retrieves and uses the information. This segmentation allows each component to perform its function independently, improving ease of operation while managing complexity through modular design
Data Source
AI summary
A terminal device may supply a first request to a print intermediation server. The first request may cause the print intermediation server to register file related information being related to a target file. The terminal device may receive, from a printer, print condition related information being related to an actual print condition, and control a display unit to display a selection screen. The selection screen may cause a user to select a print setting from among the actual print condition. The terminal device may send a print instruction including print setting information indicating the print setting to the printer. The print setting information may be supplied from the printer to the print intermediation server in order for the printer to obtain print data from the print intermediation server. The print data may be created from the target file in accordance with the print setting.