Printer Notification Mechanism for Server Load Reduction

Solution Overview

Problem

The existing printing system places a significant processing load on servers due to the need for continuous data transmission and notifications regarding print job status, which can lead to increased communication overhead and resource utilization.

Innovation Solution

A printer is configured to transmit a notification to the server indicating that a print job is complete before the actual completion of printing, allowing for reduced data transmission and processing load by avoiding continuous status updates.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If the printer transmits notification only after printing completion, then the information accuracy is improved, but the communication data volume increases and server processing load increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinformation accuracyVSAvoidcommunication data volume

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The printer performs preliminary action by transmitting the completion notification to the server before the actual printing process finishes. This allows the server to update the job status in advance, reducing the need for continuous status checking and subsequent communication data exchange, thereby decreasing overall communication data volume while maintaining information accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Loss of information

If the printer continuously updates print status to the server, then the information accuracy is improved, but the server processing load increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinformation accuracyVSAvoidserver processing load

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements feedback mechanism where the printer sends a completion notification to the server, and the server responds with confirmation. This structured feedback loop ensures accurate information transmission while limiting the frequency and volume of communication, thereby reducing server processing load compared to continuous status updates.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The printer performs preliminary action by transmitting the completion notification to the server before the actual printing process finishes. This allows the server to update the job status in advance, reducing the need for continuous status checking and subsequent communication data exchange, thereby decreasing overall communication data volume while maintaining information accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Loss of information

If the printer waits for printing completion before transmitting notification, then the information accuracy is improved, but the time delay increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinformation accuracyVSAvoidtime delay

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The printer performs preliminary action by transmitting the completion notification to the server before the actual printing process finishes. This allows the server to update the job status in advance, reducing the need for continuous status checking and subsequent communication data exchange, thereby decreasing overall communication data volume while maintaining information accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS11893289B1Printer, non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing computer-readable instructions for printer, and method implementable by printer

Publication Date: 2024.02.06 BROTHER KOGYO KK

AI summary

A printer includes a print engine and a controller. The controller is configured to cause the printer to perform: in response to image data being transmitted from a terminal to a server, receiving print data to be used in printing from the server, the image data representing a target image to be printed, the terminal being different from the printer; in response to receiving the print data from the server, transmitting a first notification to the server prior to completion of the printing of the target image, the first notification indicating that the printing of the target image has been completed; subsequent to the transmission of the first notification to the server, detecting a specific input; and in response to detecting the specific input, causing the print engine to perform the printing of the target image.