Printer Cloud Print Control via Identifier Matching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current printer technologies face challenges in efficiently integrating print instruction and settings information from cloud services, leading to inconsistencies and limitations in printing capabilities, particularly when using cloud-based services that lack proprietary printer drivers.
Innovation Solution
A printer system that includes a first receiver for print instruction information, a second receiver for print settings information, and a specifying unit that matches these to conduct printing, allowing for seamless integration of cloud-based services and proprietary settings, enabling flexible and user-specific printing configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If cloud-based print services are used without proprietary printer drivers, then accessibility and ease of operation are improved, but printing reliability and precision are worsened due to lack of device-specific optimization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a print control device as an intermediary between the cloud-based print service and the printer. This mediator receives print jobs from the cloud service, retrieves device-specific settings from a cloud storage, and transmits them to the printer. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining ease of cloud-based operation while ensuring reliable, optimized printing through proprietary settings.
Solution Approach 2:
The system separates the print job submission function (handled by cloud service) from the print settings management function (handled by print control device). This segmentation allows the cloud service to maintain ease of operation while the dedicated control device ensures printing reliability through proper settings transmission.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple print settings information are stored for different cloud services, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity is worsened due to need for matching and management
Solution Approach 1:
The print control device implements a feedback mechanism by receiving identification information from the cloud service, automatically retrieving the corresponding print settings from cloud storage, and transmitting them to the printer. This automated feedback loop manages multiple settings without increasing user-facing complexity, maintaining adaptability while simplifying operation.
3Productivity
If print settings are transmitted automatically from cloud storage, then productivity is improved, but loss of information is worsened if settings are not properly matched with print jobs
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback-based matching where the print control device receives identification information from the cloud service, uses this feedback to retrieve the correct settings from cloud storage, and ensures proper association between print jobs and settings. This prevents information loss while maintaining automated productivity.
Data Source
AI summary
A printer includes a first receiver, a second receiver, a specifying unit, and a printing unit. The first receiver receives, from any of at least one print instruction information holding device that holds print instruction information giving instructions to print, specific print instruction information associated with a first identifier and instructing the printer to print. The second receiver receives, from a print settings information holding device that holds print settings information indicating settings for printing, specific print settings information associated with a second identifier and indicating settings for printing by the printer. The specifying unit, on the basis of the first identifier and the second identifier, specifies the specific print settings information as print settings information corresponding to the specific print instruction information. The printing unit uses the specific print settings information to conduct printing based on the specific print instruction information.