Printer Communication Port Switching for Cloud Print Reliability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional printer systems fail to acquire print data for printing when communication between the print request administration server and the facsimile server is not executable, leading to printing failures.
Innovation Solution
A printer is configured with a processor that acts as a judging unit, first and second communication executing units, a data acquiring unit, and a print control unit, allowing it to judge the executability of communication using different port numbers with a print mediation server, receive notifications, and acquire print data even if the initial communication is not executable.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the printer uses a single communication port to receive notifications from the print mediation server, then the communication protocol is simple, but the printing system fails when communication on that port is blocked
Solution Approach 1:
The printer changes the communication parameter (port number) to establish alternative communication paths. When the first port communication fails, the system switches to a second port number, allowing the printer to receive print data through a different communication channel, thus maintaining printing reliability without significantly increasing protocol complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The print mediation server acts as an intermediary that can deliver print data through multiple communication ports. The server mediates between the terminal device and printer, enabling flexible routing of print data through different ports based on communication availability, thereby resolving the contradiction between simple protocols and reliable delivery
2Reliability
If the printer actively checks for print data using a second communication method, then printing reliability is improved, but the communication complexity and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The printer performs periodic active checks for print data using the second communication method at predetermined intervals. This periodic action balances reliability improvement with energy conservation, as the printer only activates the secondary communication path when necessary to check for available print data, rather than maintaining continuous communication
Solution Approach 2:
The printer autonomously determines when to initiate active checks for print data based on its own state and communication needs. The system self-manages the switching between passive notification reception and active data checking, optimizing energy usage while ensuring print data is acquired reliably when needed
Data Source
AI summary
A printer may judge whether a first type of communication with the print mediation server. The printer may execute the first type of communication and receive a predetermined notification in a case where it is judged that the first type of communication is executable. The printer may, (A) execute, when the predetermined notification is received a second type of communication so as to acquire specific address information, in the case where being judged that the first type of communication is executable and (B) execute, even if the predetermined notification is not received, the second type of communication at a predetermined timing so as to acquire the specific address information in a case where it is judged that the first type of communication is not executable. The printer may acquire the specific print data and print an image represented by the specific print data.