Print Log Management Device for Reducing Printer Memory Load
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional printing systems with multiple printers face high memory and processing loads due to managing extensive information on groups, users, and print amounts, limiting the flexibility and efficiency of the printers.
Innovation Solution
A management device collects and processes print logs from multiple printers, using databases to categorize and generate output data, reducing the load on individual printers by transmitting log data to a central server and managing print restrictions based on user and group information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If each printer manages and processes print logs locally including categorization and statistical processes, then the printer can independently handle print data, but the memory and processing loads on the printer increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the print log management function from the printer to a separate management device. The printer only collects and transmits raw print log data, while the management device performs categorization, statistical processing, and storage. This separation removes the burden of complex processing from the printer, reducing its memory and computational requirements while maintaining independent operation capability.
2Loss of information
If each printer performs various categorizations and statistical processes on print logs, then comprehensive print data analysis can be achieved, but the degree of freedom of usable printers is narrowed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a management device as an intermediary between the printer and the data analysis function. The printer simply transmits raw log data to the management device, which then performs all categorization and statistical processing. This intermediary approach allows any printer to be used without requiring it to have built-in analysis capabilities, thus maintaining printer selection flexibility while achieving comprehensive data analysis.
3Device complexity
If the management device collects and processes print logs from multiple printers, then the processing load is centralized, but the management device requires substantial processing power and storage capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the management device into distinct functional modules: a collection unit that gathers raw log data from multiple printers, and a processing unit that performs categorization and statistical analysis. This segmentation allows the system to handle multiple printers efficiently by dividing the workload into discrete, manageable tasks that can be processed sequentially or in parallel, reducing the peak processing power and storage capacity requirements compared to a monolithic design.
Data Source
AI summary
A management device is configured to perform collecting a plurality of print logs respectively generated by a plurality of printers. Each of the plurality of print logs contains print amount information and first category information indicating a category of the print amount information, The management device is further configured to identify a category represented by the first category information by referring to a first database, extracting the print amount information from the plurality of print logs collected in the collecting, and generate output data based on the print amount information to output the same.