Print Management Device Driver-Less Wireless Printing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional printing systems require a driver specific to each image forming apparatus, limiting compatibility and convenience in managing print queues and transmitting print data wirelessly.

Innovation Solution

A print management device with a queue managing unit, wireless communication unit, and data storage unit that communicates with user terminals using a common wireless printing protocol, allowing for driver-less communication and management of print data transmission to various image forming apparatuses.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a driver specific to each image forming apparatus is used, then reliable communication with the apparatus is achieved, but compatibility and ease of operation deteriorate due to the need for multiple drivers

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoidease of operation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a print management device as an intermediary between the user terminal and image forming apparatus. This mediator handles driver-specific communications, allowing the user terminal to use a universal printing protocol while the print management device translates to apparatus-specific protocols, thus maintaining communication reliability without requiring multiple drivers at the user端.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a universal printing protocol at the user terminal that can communicate with multiple different image forming apparatuses through a single driver interface. The print management device provides multi-functionality by supporting multiple apparatus types while presenting a unified interface to users, eliminating the need for multiple specific drivers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If a driver specific to each image forming apparatus is required, then proper print data transmission is ensured, but device complexity increases due to multiple driver requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprint data transmissionVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The print management device serves as an intermediary that absorbs the complexity of multiple drivers. The user terminal only needs a single universal driver, while the print management device handles the complexity of translating to various apparatus-specific protocols, thus ensuring proper print data transmission without increasing user-side device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the printing system into three distinct components: user terminal, print management device, and image forming apparatus. This segmentation allows the driver complexity to be isolated in the print management device layer, while the user terminal maintains simplicity with a universal interface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple drivers are installed for different image forming apparatuses, then communication with various apparatuses is possible, but ease of manufacture and system setup deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveapparatus compatibilityVSAvoidease of setup

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The user terminal is designed with a universal printing protocol that can interface with multiple types of image forming apparatuses through a single driver. This universality maintains apparatus compatibility while dramatically simplifying the setup process, as users only need to install one driver rather than multiple apparatus-specific drivers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The print management device acts as an intermediary that provides adaptability to multiple apparatus types while simplifying the user terminal's requirements. This mediator handles the complexity of apparatus-specific protocols, making the system easier to manufacture and set up while maintaining versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS10289361B2Print management device that manages print management information related to image forming apparatus, and printing system including print management device

Publication Date: 2019.05.14 KYOCERA DOCUMENT SOLUTIONS INC

AI summary

A print management device includes a queue managing unit, a wireless communication unit, a data storage unit, and a data transmitting unit. The queue managing unit manages queues related to image forming apparatuses. The wireless communication unit communicates with a user terminal in a common wireless printing protocol. The wireless printing protocol does not require a driver individually corresponding to the image forming apparatuses. The data storage unit stores print data received by the wireless communication unit from the user terminal over the communications in the queues managed by the queue managing unit. The data transmitting unit takes out the print data from the queue to transmit the print data to the image forming apparatus related to the queue.