Print Queue Management via Self-Service Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current printing systems lack the capability to effectively inform users about the status of print queues associated with multifunction devices (MFDs) in network environments, leading to confusion and inefficiency in managing and utilizing available printers.
Innovation Solution
A print queue management system that includes a user interface application enabling users to communicate with a queue managing service, which automatically detects, identifies, and analyzes print queues, providing users with updates on their status and notifying them of changes, thus streamlining the management of MFDs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If network administrators manually create and manage print queues for multiple printers, then print queue management is possible, but the process becomes tedious and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service by allowing the MFD to automatically publish its print queue status information to the network. Other devices can automatically discover and access this information without requiring manual configuration or administration, thus eliminating the tedious manual management process while maintaining reliable print queue management capability
Solution Approach 2:
The MFD continuously publishes feedback about its print queue status (current job, total jobs, capacity) to the network. This automatic feedback mechanism allows network devices to stay informed about printer availability and status without requiring administrators to manually update or manage the information, saving time while ensuring accurate print queue management
2Loss of information
If users manually track and verify printer status on the network, then users can identify available printers, but users waste significant time and may attempt to print to non-existent or overloaded printers
Solution Approach 1:
The MFD automatically publishes real-time feedback about its print queue status including current job count, total capacity, and availability state to the network. Users can automatically access this information without manually tracking or verifying printer status, eliminating time waste while ensuring accurate information about printer availability is always current
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary action by having the MFD proactively publish its status information before users need to query it. This advance publication of availability information allows users to immediately access accurate printer status without spending time tracking changes or verifying current state, preventing attempts to print to unavailable printers
3Loss of information
If the system provides detailed status information about all print queues, then users are well-informed about printer availability, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each MFD independently publishes its own status information to the network without requiring a centralized management system to collect, process, and distribute information. This self-service approach provides comprehensive status information for all printers while avoiding the complexity of a centralized management infrastructure
Solution Approach 2:
The system segments the information management task by having each MFD independently publish its own status information. Rather than one complex system managing all printers, each printer autonomously manages its own information publication, reducing overall system complexity while providing complete status information for all devices
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system suitable for use with a plurality of multifunction devices (MFDs) for managing one or more print queues associated with the plurality of MFDs, the system including a user interface application for permitting users to electronically communicate with a queue managing service (QMS); wherein the QMS automatically detects, identifies, and analyzes the one or more print queues associated with the plurality of MFDs in order to provide a status of the plurality of MFDs and continuously notify the users of the updates relating to the one or more print queues.