Printer Control for Concurrent Printing and Access Point Networking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Printers with access point functions experience performance degradation in their original print functions due to increased processing loads from network connection tasks, leading to potential timeouts and process suspensions.
Innovation Solution
A printer system that includes a controller adjusting process parameters based on the number of concurrent processes, using tables to manage tethering and job requests, and dynamically changing timeout settings to prevent process suspensions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the printer executes access point function to connect communication terminal to network, then network connectivity capability is improved, but print function performance deteriorates due to increased processing load
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic process priority adjustment based on real-time system load conditions. When access point function is active, the controller automatically lowers the priority of network connection processes and maintains higher priority for print functions, allowing the system to adaptively balance multiple functions without performance degradation
2Speed
If process priorities are set for connection control, then network connection efficiency is improved, but lower-priority processes may timeout and cannot be continued
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts timeout settings based on process priority and system load. Lower-priority processes receive extended timeout thresholds when system load is high, preventing premature termination. The controller monitors process execution status and adjusts timeout values in real-time, ensuring that time-sensitive operations complete before deadlines while allowing less critical processes additional time
Solution Approach 2:
The patent pre-configures multiple timeout threshold levels corresponding to different process priorities and system load conditions. Before executing processes, the controller determines the appropriate timeout threshold based on expected system state, allowing lower-priority processes to be allocated sufficient time resources in advance to complete their execution without suspension
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple processes are executed concurrently, then system functionality is improved, but process management complexity increases leading to timeouts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments process management into distinct priority levels and functional categories. The controller divides concurrent processes into high-priority (print functions) and low-priority (network connection) groups, applying different management strategies to each segment. This segmentation simplifies the overall management complexity by creating clear hierarchies and dedicated resource allocation rules for different process types
Data Source
AI summary
In accordance with an embodiment, the printer receives a process request from an external device and executes a process requested by the process request. In addition, in a case where the number of processes requested by the process request and executed is two or more, the printer adjusts a predetermined parameter in accordance with execution of the processes.