Printer Web Server Offloading to External PC

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Solution Overview

Problem

Printers with web server functions face a significant load burden when creating and managing web pages, particularly in designing and updating content, which can divert resources away from their primary print function.

Innovation Solution

Shifting the responsibility of web page design and content management from the printer to an external apparatus, such as a PC, by using command files and XML data, allowing the printer to only handle setting changes and data storage, thereby reducing its operational load.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the printer creates and manages web pages locally, then the web server function can be executed, but the printer's resource usage increases and the primary print function is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveweb server functionVSAvoidresource usage
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the web page creation and management functions from the printer and relocates them to an external PC. The printer only retains minimal functionality by storing command files and setting data, while the PC handles the resource-intensive tasks of generating HTML pages, managing web servers, and updating content. This separation allows the printer to maintain web server capability without consuming significant resources for these functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the printer manages web page content and design, then the web server function is maintained, but the operational load on the printer increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveweb server functionVSAvoidoperational load
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a PC as an intermediary between the user and the printer's web server function. The PC receives requests from users, generates appropriate web pages by processing command files and setting data, and transmits these pages back to the printer for display. This intermediary handles the complex operations of web page creation and content management, significantly reducing the operational load on the printer while maintaining full web server functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP2337330B1Printer having web server function
Publication Date: 2019.09.18 BROTHER KOGYO KK
  • EP2337330B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2337330B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2337330B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A printer (10) may comprise a command file storage unit (14), a receiving unit (28), a command file sending unit (28), and a first data sending unit (28). The command file storage unit (14) may store a command file (20, 22) including a first command (204), a second command (212), and a third command (214). The first command (204) is a command for sending a request for first data. The second command (212) includes design data (213), and is a command for converting the first data into second data in accordance with the design data (213). The third command (214) is a command for displaying a web page in accordance with the second data. The receiving unit (28) may receive a request. The command file sending unit (28) may send a response including the command file (20, 22) when a request for the command file (20, 22) is received. The first data sending unit (28) may send a response including the first data when the request for the first data is received.