Print Processing System with Local Storage for Error Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
In a pull print environment, printers may experience discontinuation of print processing due to errors in obtaining print data, such as glitches in the acquisition source server or communication network issues, leading to incomplete or failed print jobs.
Innovation Solution
The print processing system is designed to continue print processing even if an error occurs by utilizing an alternate storage server, allowing printers to access and print data from a secondary storage location, maintaining a communication session and ensuring that print data is transmitted in a way that allows for accelerated first printing and completion of print jobs as a single unit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a printer obtains print data from a cloud system via the Internet, then the pull print environment enables distributed data processing and handles requests from multiple clients, but print processing may be discontinued due to errors in obtaining print data such as glitches in the acquisition source server or communication network issues
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by downloading and storing print data from the cloud system to a local storage unit before the actual print job is executed. This advance preparation ensures that the print data is already available locally, eliminating the risk of network errors or server glitches during the printing process. The printer can then proceed with the print job using the pre-stored data without needing to maintain an active connection to the cloud system.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces a local storage unit as an intermediary between the cloud system and the printer. This intermediary component stores copies of print data locally, acting as a buffer that decouples the printer from direct dependence on the cloud system's availability. When print data is needed, the printer retrieves it from the local storage unit rather than directly from the cloud, thus isolating the printing process from network and server-related errors.
2Speed
If the printer downloads and stores print data locally before printing, then the first printing time is accelerated, but additional storage resources and data management complexity are required
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements self-service by automatically downloading, storing, and managing print data in the local storage unit without requiring manual intervention. The printer autonomously handles the data retrieval and storage process, and when a print job is initiated, it automatically retrieves the corresponding data from local storage. This automated approach minimizes the operational complexity for users while achieving accelerated first printing times.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary data preparation by downloading and caching print data before it is actually needed for printing. This advance action allows the printer to access pre-processed data from local storage, significantly reducing the first printing time. The data is prepared and stored in advance, so when the print job starts, no time is lost in retrieving or processing the data during the actual printing operation.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3
AI summary
Information that is used for identifying a print data file having been obtained by an image processing apparatus is notified to a print server in response to an error occurring in processing for obtaining the print data files from a first storage server, and a print data file stored by a storage unit is obtained from a second storage server based on an index file including acquisition source information about a not-yet-obtained print data file, and print processing is executed.