Centralized Print Manager for Intelligent Job Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
In the context of enterprise-level printing, users often default to a single printer or mode regardless of the best suited option for the specific printing job, leading to suboptimal printing solutions due to the complexity and variety of modern printing needs.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a Rich Internet Printing and Print Product Traffic Control Manager, which acts as an intermediary to analyze and route print jobs to the most suitable printing methods, devices, and services across local, domestic, or global networks, enabling intelligent selection of printers and services based on document characteristics and user preferences.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple printer drivers and printing options are installed on a user's computer, then printing versatility and adaptability are improved, but device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a centralized print management server as an intermediary between users and multiple printers. This server consolidates the complexity of managing multiple printer drivers and options, while users can still access diverse printing capabilities through a simplified interface. The server acts as a mediator that handles the complexity of routing print jobs to appropriate destinations based on document characteristics and user preferences.
Solution Approach 2:
The print management server provides a universal printing solution that can handle multiple types of print jobs and route them to various printing destinations. Instead of requiring separate drivers for each printer type, the server offers a single universal interface that manages diverse printing needs through centralized control and intelligent routing algorithms.
2Adaptability or versatility
If users manually select from multiple printing options for each job, then adaptability is improved, but productivity and ease of operation worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary analysis of print jobs automatically upon submission. The server evaluates document characteristics, user preferences, and available printing resources in advance, pre-determining the optimal printing destination before the user needs to make a selection. This preliminary action eliminates the need for users to manually evaluate multiple options for each print job.
Solution Approach 2:
The print management system provides self-service functionality by automatically analyzing print jobs and routing them to appropriate destinations without requiring user intervention. The system serves itself by making intelligent decisions about print job allocation based on predefined criteria and real-time resource availability, thereby improving productivity while maintaining adaptability.
3Productivity
If a centralized print management system is implemented, then productivity and printing optimization are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The centralized print management server acts as an intermediary that consolidates system complexity in a single location. While the server itself becomes more complex, this complexity is centralized and managed in one place rather than distributed across multiple user systems. The server handles the burden of analyzing and routing print jobs, allowing individual user computers to remain simple while still benefiting from optimized printing.
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure details the implementation of apparatuses, methods and systems for a Rich Internet Printing and Print product traffic control Manager (hereinafter, “Manager”). The high volume and varied makeup of modern printing needs may render some confused as to the best printing mode for a given job. Often, individuals will settle into a routine of using the same printer, printing mode, printing service, and/or the like for all jobs regardless of whether a different printing method may be preferable or more nearly suited to the job at hand. The Manager may serve as an intermediary agency to direct print jobs to one or more particular printing methods, internal or external document production agencies, printers, and/or the like that are deemed most suitable for the printing job at hand. In an embodiment, the Manager may comprise a single print driver that may be installed on a local computer system. Once installed, a Manager print option may appear among the other printer options in a print menu. By selecting the Manager print option and issuing a print command, a user may direct his or her print job directly to the Manager for analysis and routing to an appropriate printing method, printer, agency, and/or the like.