Printer Job Owner Identification via Wireless Access Point Mode

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Printing apparatuses cannot determine the job owner of print data received from mobile terminals, as user information is not included in the print data transmitted by these devices, unlike from personal computers.

Innovation Solution

The printing apparatus is equipped with a wireless local area network interface and a processor that enables direct wireless communication, allowing it to identify and store user information when the user initiates the access point mode, thereby determining the user as the job owner of the print data.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If direct wireless communication is used for mobile terminal printing, then printing functionality is improved, but ability to determine job owner deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprinting functionalityVSAvoiduser information

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The printing apparatus stores user information in advance when the user operates the apparatus, before the actual printing occurs. This preliminary storage of user information allows the system to later determine the job owner even when the print data from mobile terminals does not contain user information.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Measurement precision

If user information is added to print data from PC, then job owner determination is improved, but compatibility with mobile terminals deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvejob owner determinationVSAvoidmobile terminal compatibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The printing apparatus acts as an intermediary that stores user information locally. When print data arrives from any device (PC or mobile terminal), the system uses this stored user information to determine the job owner, rather than relying on user information being present in the incoming print data. This mediator approach enables universal compatibility while maintaining accurate job owner determination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS10642548B2Printing apparatus and control method of printing apparatus

Publication Date: 2020.05.05 CANON KK

AI summary

In a case where a printing apparatus receives print data using wireless communication in an access point mode, a user having input an instruction for starting operation in the access point mode is determined as a job owner.