Printing Apparatus Capability Signaling for Local-Cloud Compatibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing printing technologies fail to accurately determine whether a printing apparatus is compatible with both local and cloud printing, leading to incorrect presentation of printing options to users, particularly in systems like AirPrint where the client terminal cannot determine cloud printing compatibility.
Innovation Solution
A printing apparatus is configured to function as both a local and cloud printer, enabling or disabling specific print functions, adding attributes for presence notification, and notifying the cloud server of these settings to ensure accurate compatibility information is shared.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a printing apparatus is compatible with both local printing and cloud printing, then the versatility and functionality are improved, but the client terminal cannot determine cloud printing compatibility, leading to loss of information about printing capabilities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism where the printing apparatus itself actively transmits its capability information (including cloud printing compatibility) to the client terminal. This mediator approach resolves the information asymmetry by having the printing apparatus directly communicate its attributes rather than relying on the client terminal to determine compatibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by having the printing apparatus pre-transmit its capability information and attributes to the client terminal before a print job is initiated. This allows the client terminal to know in advance whether the printing apparatus supports cloud printing, eliminating the need for runtime compatibility determination.
2Measurement precision
If the printing apparatus transmits detailed attribute information to the cloud server, then the measurement precision of compatibility determination is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by dynamically adjusting which capability attributes are transmitted based on the printing mode. When cloud printing is detected or required, the apparatus transmits cloud printing compatibility attributes; when local printing is used, only local printing attributes are transmitted. This selective parameter transmission achieves precise compatibility determination without permanently increasing system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A printing apparatus is operable to function as a local printer that receives a print job from a client terminal and performs printing and is operable to function as a cloud printer that receives a print job from a cloud server and performs printing. The printing apparatus sets whether a predetermined print function is enabled or disabled in a case that the printing apparatus functions as the local printer, adds an attribute for performing a presence notification of the printing apparatus to attribute information of the printing apparatus in a case that the predetermined print function is set to enabled, and notifies the attribute information of the printing apparatus to the cloud server.