Print Server Cover Page Release Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Network printing systems face limitations in optimizing network transmission and processing of rendering jobs, as they often require specialized software and hardware, restricting the use of rendering devices to those developed by a specific company, and lack efficient print queue management and release control.
Innovation Solution
A print and release print control system that utilizes a print server with personal and print job profiles to manage rendering jobs, including a bi-directional print driver for user feedback and a secure release process, allowing documents to be sent to preferred rendering devices and enabling efficient queue management without requiring special hardware or software on those devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If specialized software is installed on rendering devices to manage print queues, then print queue management capability is improved, but device compatibility is worsened (limited to specific company devices)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a server as an intermediary between client computers and rendering devices. The server manages print queues and coordinates job distribution, eliminating the need for specialized software on rendering devices. This mediator approach enables automated print queue management while maintaining compatibility with various rendering devices from different manufacturers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the print queue management functionality from the rendering devices and relocates it to a separate server. By removing this specialized software requirement from the rendering devices themselves, the system achieves both automated management and broader device compatibility, as rendering devices only need basic printing capabilities.
2Ease of operation
If a document is sent to multiple rendering devices simultaneously, then user convenience is improved, but network traffic is worsened (redundant transmissions)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent sends a cover page to multiple rendering devices in advance before the user selects the final destination. This preliminary action allows the user to see available devices and make an informed selection, while the actual document transmission is optimized to occur only to the chosen device, avoiding redundant network traffic.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the server monitors which rendering devices have received and processed the cover page, and which devices the user selects. This feedback information is used to optimize subsequent document transmissions, ensuring the full document is sent only to the selected device rather than all devices that received the cover page.
Data Source
AI summary
A print and release print control system and method for optimizing network transmission and processing of rendering jobs. A document for rendering can be sent to a print driver and a print server specially programmed for performing a print and release operation. The print server includes a personal profile, a print job profile, and a profile associated with a network of rendering devices. The print server can send a job placeholder cover page to each of the designated rendering devices based on user preferences. The job placeholder cover page can be released from a selected rendering device by entering a secure release code. The print server can then detect the selected rendering device in which the cover page has been rendered and send the document to the selected printer. The print server can then clean up the cover pages sent to other printers if the submitted document is rendered.