Printing Apparatus Resuming Downloaded Print Data

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Solution Overview

Problem

Cloud printing systems face inefficiencies when a print job is canceled, as re-downloading print data from the beginning can be time-consuming and increase communication bandwidth, especially if partial data has already been processed.

Innovation Solution

The printing apparatus implements a method to manage and store download state information, allowing for resumed downloads of print data from the point of cancellation, reducing redundant data processing and communication overhead by storing partially downloaded data locally.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If print data is downloaded again from the beginning after a print job is canceled, then the print job can be re-executed, but the time to restart printing increases and communication bandwidth is consumed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprint job re-execution capabilityVSAvoidtime to restart printing
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The printing apparatus stores download state information (including already-downloaded data ranges) in its memory before the print job is canceled. When the print job needs to be re-executed, the apparatus retrieves this stored state information and resumes downloading from the stored position rather than starting from the beginning, thus reducing the time to restart printing while maintaining reliable re-execution capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The printing apparatus creates a local copy of the download state information in its storage memory, which includes metadata about the print data and the extent of already-downloaded data. This copy allows the apparatus to quickly determine what data needs to be re-downloaded without needing to communicate with the external device to query the download status, thereby reducing restart time

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Reliability

If print data is downloaded again from the beginning after a print job is canceled, then the print job can be re-executed, but communication amount increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprint job re-execution capabilityVSAvoidcommunication bandwidth usage
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The printing apparatus stores download state information (including already-downloaded data ranges) in its memory before the print job is canceled. When the print job needs to be re-executed, the apparatus retrieves this stored state information and resumes downloading from the stored position rather than starting from the beginning, thus reducing the time to restart printing while maintaining reliable re-execution capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The printing apparatus creates a local copy of the download state information in its storage memory, which includes metadata about the print data and the extent of already-downloaded data. This copy allows the apparatus to quickly determine what data needs to be re-downloaded without needing to communicate with the external device to query the download status, thereby reducing restart time

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentEP4293496B1Printing apparatus, control method thereof, and program
Publication Date: 2025.03.26 CANON KK
  • EP4293496B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4293496B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4293496B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A printing apparatus (121) includes receiving means (607) for receiving a print job from a print server (130) configured to provide a logical printer, using an Internet Printing Protocol, IPP, printing means (604) for performing printing based on the print job, and storage control means (620) for storing a downloaded portion of print data specified by the print job, to a storage region (502, 504). When download of the print data is restarted after download of the print data is canceled, the receiving means downloads a portion of the print data that is not stored in the storage region, using a Hypertext Transfer Protocol, HTTP, range request.