Print Relay Server Automating Printer Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users face difficulties in specifying a printer as an output destination for printing on a network without the need for a printer driver, as existing technologies require cumbersome input of printer identification information, which can lead to errors.
Innovation Solution
A server system that includes a first command receiving unit, a printer recognizing unit, a file request receiving unit, a first file transmitting unit, a second command receiving unit, and a job transmitting unit, which facilitates the display of a printer specifying screen on a terminal device, allowing users to easily select a printer for printing by highlighting available printers in a network.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a user specifies a printer by inputting printer identification information, then the output destination can be identified, but the operation becomes troublesome and error-prone
Solution Approach 1:
The server acts as an intermediary between the terminal device and the printer. It receives a print execution command from the terminal, automatically acquires printer identification information, and manages the print job. This eliminates the need for users to manually input printer IDs, thereby improving ease of operation while maintaining reliable printer specification through the server's automated identification process
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service printing where the terminal device simply sends a print command and the server automatically handles all printer identification and job management tasks. The server autonomously acquires printer identification information and matches it with the print job, allowing users to execute printing without manually specifying printer details, thus improving both ease of operation and reliability
2Reliability
If printer identification information is manually input, then the printer can be specified, but incorrect information may be input due to cumbersome IDs
Solution Approach 1:
The server serves as an intermediary that automatically acquires and manages printer identification information. Instead of users dealing with complex printer IDs directly, the server handles the acquisition and matching process, thereby eliminating input errors while maintaining the ability to specify the correct printer through automated identification management
3Ease of operation
If the server automatically acquires printer identification information, then ease of operation improves, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The server combines multiple functions into a single system: it receives print execution commands from terminals, automatically acquires printer identification information, manages print job queues, and transmits jobs to printers. By merging these functions, the system improves ease of operation for users while consolidating complexity into the server rather than requiring complex client-side operations
Solution Approach 2:
The server is designed as a multi-functional system that handles various printing scenarios: receiving print commands from terminals, automatically acquiring printer IDs, managing multiple print jobs, and interfacing with different printers. This universal design improves ease of operation across different use cases while the server's multi-functionality absorbs the system complexity in a centralized manner
Data Source
AI summary
A first command receiving unit receives a first command from the printer when a user performs a first operation on the printer for executing printing. A printer recognizing unit recognizes the printer as a first printer that is waiting for a print job based on the first command. A file request receiving unit receives a file request from the terminal device. A first file transmitting unit transmits a first file to the terminal device when the file request receiving unit has received the file request. A first file is a file for displaying on the terminal device a printer specifying screen which includes printer identification information for identifying the first printer. A second command receiving unit receives a second command from the terminal device. A second command is transmitted from the terminal device when the first printer is specified on the printer specifying screen. A job transmitting unit transmits the print job to the first printer specified by the terminal device when the second command receiving unit has received the second command.