Printing Apparatus Automatic Data Retrieval from Registered Host

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Solution Overview

Problem

Printing systems face challenges when a printer is in a power-saving or power-off state, as it cannot receive print data, leading to incomplete printing and requiring users to manually intervene to resume operations.

Innovation Solution

A printing apparatus with a registering section to store information processing apparatuses, a determination section to identify stored print data, and a request section to automatically request data transmission when the printer returns to a capable state, allowing seamless printing resumption without user intervention.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If the printing apparatus enters a power-saving or power-off state, then energy consumption is reduced, but the apparatus cannot receive print data leading to incomplete printing operations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoidprinting operation completeness

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The information processing apparatus stores print data in its memory before the printing apparatus enters power-saving mode. This preliminary storage ensures that when the printer returns to operational state, the data is already available for immediate printing without requiring retransmission or user intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The printing apparatus includes a determination section that actively checks whether print data is stored in the information processing apparatus when it returns from power-saving state. This feedback mechanism enables the system to detect the status of print data and trigger appropriate actions (requesting data transmission) to ensure complete printing operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If the printing apparatus remains in operational state to receive print data continuously, then printing operations can be completed, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprinting operation completenessVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary storage of print data in the information processing apparatus before the printing apparatus enters power-saving mode. This allows the printer to safely transition to low-power state knowing that the print data is already preserved and will be automatically retrieved when operational.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

When the printing apparatus returns from power-saving state, the determination section automatically checks for stored print data and the request section automatically requests transmission without requiring user intervention. This self-service mechanism ensures printing operations resume seamlessly while minimizing energy consumption during idle periods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If the printing apparatus automatically requests and retrieves stored print data when returning from power-saving state, then printing operations resume seamlessly, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprinting resumption automationVSAvoidsystem structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The information processing apparatus serves as an intermediary that stores print data in its memory and responds to requests from the printing apparatus. This intermediary role eliminates the need for complex protocols between printer and user, as the information processing apparatus automatically manages data storage and retrieval based on simple request-signal exchanges.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The printing apparatus's determination section automatically determines whether print data is stored and the request section automatically requests transmission when returning from power-saving state. This self-service automation simplifies operation for users while the added complexity is confined to the automated determination and request mechanisms within the printing apparatus itself.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS8705106B2Printing apparatus, information processing apparatus, printing system, and computer readable medium

Publication Date: 2014.04.22 FUJIFILM BUSINESS INNOVATION CORP

AI summary

A printing apparatus includes a print section that performs printing according to print data, a registering section that registers in advance an information processing apparatus creating and transmitting print data in response to a print instruction from a user, and storing print data that has not been received by a transmission destination in a memory, a determination section that determines whether the print data that has not been received by the printing apparatus is stored in the registered information processing apparatus, when the printing apparatus changes from a data-reception state to a non-data-reception state, a request section that requests the information processing apparatus, in which the print data is determined to be stored, to transmit the stored print data, and a controller that controls the print section to perform printing according to the print data transmitted in response to the request, when the print data is received.