Printer Consumable History Checks for Reduced Server Requests
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems that rely on a server to determine whether a consumable for a printing apparatus is a target of automatic delivery can overload the server, leading to inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A printing apparatus is equipped with a first processing unit to read and store identification and history information of consumables, and a requesting unit to communicate with a server system only when necessary, reducing the server's load by minimizing unnecessary requests.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the server performs all determination processing for consumable delivery, then centralized control and service management are achieved, but server load increases and system efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The determination processing is segmented between the printing apparatus and the server. The printing apparatus performs preliminary determination using stored history information, while the server performs final verification. This segmentation reduces server load while maintaining centralized service management.
Solution Approach 2:
The printing apparatus performs preliminary determination processing before contacting the server. By checking history information locally first, the apparatus prepares in advance and only contacts the server when necessary, reducing unnecessary server requests and improving overall system efficiency.
2Measurement precision
If the printing apparatus frequently requests service information from the server, then service status accuracy is maintained, but communication overhead and server load increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of frequently requesting all service information from the server, the printing apparatus performs partial determination using locally stored history information. This partial action approach maintains adequate service status accuracy while significantly reducing communication overhead and server load.
Solution Approach 2:
The printing apparatus serves itself by maintaining and using local history information for determination processing. This self-service capability reduces dependency on frequent server communications, lowering communication overhead while maintaining operational accuracy.
3Speed
If the printing apparatus stores detailed history information locally, then determination speed improves, but storage requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The printing apparatus extracts and stores only the essential history information needed for determination processing, rather than storing all possible data. This extraction approach enables fast determination speed while keeping storage requirements minimal.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for controlling a printing apparatus having an attached consumable includes reading identification information on the consumable and history information indicating whether delivery processing has been executed by a predetermined service for the consumable identified by the identification information, and storing the identification information and the history information of the printing apparatus, transmitting a request for relating information on the predetermined service for the consumable to a server system, and receiving the relating information on the predetermined service in response to the request. The request is not transmitted in a case where the history information includes a delivery history indicating that delivery processing has been executed by the predetermined service, and the request is transmitted in a case where the history information in association with the identification information on the consumable indicates that the delivery processing has not been executed by the predetermined service.