Printer Job Cancellation via IPP Data Discard Workflow

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing printing systems restrict the ability of a printing apparatus to directly cancel a print job from a printing service using the Internet Printing Protocol (IPP-Infra), requiring users to perform additional work through client terminals or administrator intervention.

Innovation Solution

The printing apparatus is equipped with a control method that allows it to display a list of print jobs, accept user instructions for print or cancel operations, and communicate directly with the printing service to execute or discard print data without printing, bypassing the IPP-Infra's restrictions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the printing apparatus uses IPP-Infra protocol to receive print data from printing service, then the printing apparatus can perform printing operations, but the printing apparatus cannot directly cancel print jobs from the printing service

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of cancel operationVSAvoidprotocol compliance complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of the printing apparatus directly sending a cancel command to the printing service (which IPP-Infra does not allow), the invention inverts the approach by having the printing apparatus request and download the print data, then delete it locally. This indirect method achieves cancellation functionality while maintaining compliance with the IPP-Infra protocol constraints.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The printing apparatus acts as an intermediary between the user and the printing service. By downloading the print data first and then deleting it locally, the printing apparatus mediates the cancellation operation, achieving the desired cancel function without directly communicating cancellation commands to the printing service through the IPP-Infra protocol.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the user performs cancel operation through client terminal or administrator intervention, then the print job can be cancelled, but the user workload increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of cancel operationVSAvoiduser time for cancel operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The printing apparatus provides self-service cancellation functionality. When a user selects a print job from the displayed list and presses the cancel button, the printing apparatus automatically requests and deletes the corresponding print data locally, eliminating the need for user intervention through client terminals or administrator involvement. This significantly reduces user workload and time required for cancellation operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If the printing apparatus displays job list from printing service and allows direct cancel, then user operation is simplified, but the IPP-Infra protocol restrictions are violated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of cancel operationVSAvoidprotocol compliance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention inverts the conventional cancellation approach by not sending a cancel command to the printing service. Instead, the printing apparatus downloads the print data and deletes it locally, achieving cancellation functionality while maintaining strict compliance with IPP-Infra protocol restrictions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention converts the limitation of IPP-Infra (which prohibits direct cancel commands) into a benefit by using the print data download mechanism to achieve cancellation. The protocol restriction is workarounded by utilizing the existing data retrieval function, transforming a harmful constraint into a useful cancellation method.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Data Source

PatentUSRE50660E1Printing apparatus capable of cancelling print job based on user operation, control method for printing apparatus, and storage medium

Publication Date: 2025.11.11 CANON KK

AI summary

A control method for a printing apparatus that receives print data from a printing service using Internet Printing Protocol and executes printing of the print data, includes displaying, a list of print jobs held in the printing service, accepting a print instruction for a print job selected from the displayed list, sending, to the printing service, a request for transmitting print data, and printing based on a received print data in response to the request triggered by the print instruction, using a printing device, and requesting the printing service to transmit print data corresponding to a print job selected from the list, in response to acceptance of a cancel instruction for the selected print job, and discarding the print data received from the printing service, without executing printing based on the print data.