Print System Proximity Authorization for Unregistered Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cloud print services, such as Google Cloud Print, require complex registration processes for image forming apparatuses owned or administered by others, limiting access and flexibility in selecting print targets, especially when printing from unregistered devices.
Innovation Solution
A print system that includes a print service system, an information processing apparatus, and an image forming apparatus, where the system provides access authorization information through proximity communication, allowing the image forming apparatus to acquire and use print data from a general-purpose logical printer, enabling 'ubiquitous printing' without prior registration of the apparatus.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If image forming apparatus is permanently registered in cloud print service, then access authorization is established, but registration process becomes complicated for apparatus owned or administered by other persons
Solution Approach 1:
The owner or administrator of the image forming apparatus pre-registers the apparatus in the cloud print service and configures share settings in advance. This preliminary action enables other users to access the apparatus without going through complex registration processes when they need to print.
Solution Approach 2:
The cloud print service acts as an intermediary between the owner/administrator of the image forming apparatus and other users who need to print. The service manages the share settings and authorization, eliminating the need for direct registration between the apparatus and end users.
2Adaptability or versatility
If share function is configured by owner or administrator, then other persons can use the image forming apparatus, but additional configuration steps are required
Solution Approach 1:
The share function and access permissions are configured in advance by the owner or administrator of the image forming apparatus. This preliminary configuration enables seamless access for other users without requiring them to perform any setup or configuration steps.
3Ease of operation
If logical printer selection is required, then print target is specified, but user operation becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
A general-purpose logical printer is introduced that can function as a universal print target for multiple image forming apparatuses. Users can select this general-purpose logical printer instead of needing to specifically select and configure individual apparatuses, simplifying the printing process while maintaining access to multiple devices.
Data Source
AI summary
A print system includes a print service system, an information processing apparatus, and an image forming apparatus. The print service system includes a holding unit associated with a user and holding print data instructed by the user, a providing unit that provides access authorization information for the holding unit, to the information processing apparatus upon a request thereof, and an access authorizing unit that authorizes an access to the holding unit if receives the access authorization information. The information processing apparatus includes a transmitting unit that transmits the access authorization information to the image forming apparatus by proximity communication. The image forming apparatus includes an authorization information acquiring unit that acquires the access authorization information by the proximity communication, and a print data acquiring unit that sends the acquired access authorization information to the print service system, is authorized to access the holding unit, and acquires the print data.