Printer Communication State Determination for Printing Speed

Solution Overview

Problem

The existing image processing systems face a reduction in printing speed due to the time-consuming process of obtaining printing permission information from a server during printing, which is affected by network and server conditions.

Innovation Solution

An image processing apparatus that includes a storage unit for operation logs, a transmission unit for sending successfully transmitted logs, and a determination unit to assess communication with the server without relying on server responses, using a relay device to allocate IP addresses and manage operation logs for efficient printing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the printer communicates with the server during printing to obtain printing permission information, then the printing permission can be confirmed, but the printing speed is reduced due to network and server response time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprinting permission confirmationVSAvoidprinting speed

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by storing operation logs locally before printing and determining communication capability using locally-held information rather than requiring real-time server communication during printing. This allows the printing decision to be made based on pre-stored data, eliminating the need for time-consuming server responses during the printing process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces an intermediary mechanism by using a relay device to allocate IP addresses and by implementing a determination unit that assesses communication capability independently of direct server communication. This intermediary layer allows the system to determine whether it can communicate with the server without actually communicating with the server during printing, thus maintaining printing speed while still confirming permission status.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If the printer waits for server response during printing, then accurate printing permission information is obtained, but the processing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprinting permission accuracyVSAvoidprocessing time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by storing operation logs locally before printing and determining communication capability using locally-held information rather than requiring real-time server communication during printing. This allows the printing decision to be made based on pre-stored data, eliminating the need for time-consuming server responses during the printing process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The determination unit executes determination processing using information held in the image processing apparatus itself, without requiring external server responses. The system serves itself by using locally-stored operation logs and relay device information to determine communication capability, thereby eliminating waiting time for server responses while maintaining accurate permission determination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Loss of information

If the printer transmits operation logs continuously, then the server has up-to-date information, but the network bandwidth is consumed and printing speed is affected

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperation log synchronizationVSAvoidprinting speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of continuous transmission, the system transmits operation logs periodically or based on specific conditions (such as when communication capability is determined to be available). The transmission unit transmits logs at appropriate intervals rather than continuously, reducing network bandwidth consumption while still keeping the server updated with operation information.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary actions by storing operation logs locally before printing and determining communication capability using locally-held information rather than requiring real-time server communication during printing. This allows the printing decision to be made based on pre-stored data, eliminating the need for time-consuming server responses during the printing process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS11687299B2Image processing apparatus with self-determination of communication capability with a server, and image processing system, image processing method, and storage medium thereof

Publication Date: 2023.06.27 CANON KK

AI summary

Provided is an an image processing apparatus, an image processing system, an image processing method, and a storage medium that can suppress a reduction in the processing speed. To this end, whether the connection state between a printer and a server is online is determined by confirming the connection state between the printer and a relay device and whether there is an un-transmitted operation log.