Printer Sheet Count Tracking During Blockchain Update Delays
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing printing systems face discrepancies between the number of printable sheets managed on a blockchain and the actual number due to reflection wait times, making real-time updates impossible and leading to inaccurate sheet counts.
Innovation Solution
A mechanism that updates the number of printable sheets locally in the printing apparatus during job execution, based on completed prints, ensuring accurate and real-time display, even when managed externally on a blockchain.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If transactions are transmitted to blockchain at regular intervals, then system stability is maintained, but real-time update of printable sheets count is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The printing apparatus preliminarily calculates and determines the printable sheets count locally before transmitting to blockchain, maintaining accurate real-time tracking without waiting for blockchain reflection. This preliminary local calculation resolves the time delay issue while preserving blockchain stability.
Solution Approach 2:
A local memory device acts as an intermediary between the printing apparatus and blockchain, storing and managing printable sheets count locally. This intermediary enables real-time updates at the apparatus level while blockchain updates occur at stable intervals, bridging the time gap between local operations and blockchain reflection.
2Measurement precision
If transactions are transmitted frequently to reflect real-time changes, then real-time accuracy is improved, but transaction overhead and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The critical function of tracking printable sheets count is extracted from the blockchain system and implemented locally in the printing apparatus. This extraction eliminates the need for frequent blockchain transactions to maintain accuracy, reducing transaction overhead and system complexity while preserving measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The printing apparatus performs self-service by autonomously calculating and tracking its own printable sheets count using local memory devices. This self-management capability removes the dependency on frequent external blockchain updates, simplifying transaction management while maintaining accurate real-time counts.
3Adaptability or versatility
If printable sheets count is managed externally on blockchain, then centralized control is achieved, but real-time visibility for users is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system operates on two dimensions simultaneously: local real-time tracking dimension and blockchain centralized management dimension. The local memory device provides real-time visibility to users while the blockchain maintains centralized control and flexibility, allowing both external management adaptability and real-time information access.
Solution Approach 2:
The printing apparatus provides continuous feedback to users about the current printable sheets count through local calculation and display. This feedback mechanism ensures real-time visibility while the apparatus continues to manage external blockchain updates according to its own schedule, maintaining both user awareness and centralized control flexibility.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure is directed to a printing apparatus comprising: one or more memory devices that store a set of instructions; and one or more processors that execute the set of instructions to: obtain a number of sheets that are printable in the printing apparatus and managed externally to the printing apparatus; accept a job; execute the job; and present the obtained number of printable sheets, and during execution of the job and before update of the externally managed number of printable sheets, update the obtained number of printable sheets based on the number of sheets for which printing has been completed and present the updated number of printable sheets.