Printing Control System Parent Unit Job List Sharing
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Solution Overview
Problem
In conventional printing systems with multiple image forming apparatuses connected through a network, identifying the parent unit storing print data can be time-consuming and burdensome for both parent and child units, leading to increased processing loads and user inconvenience, especially when multiple parent units are involved.
Innovation Solution
The printing control system introduces a mechanism where each parent unit shares job list information with other parent units and child units can request and receive job list responses from a designated parent unit, allowing them to identify the correct parent unit storing print data without needing to query each parent unit individually, thereby reducing the load on both parent and child units.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a child unit sends inquiries to each parent unit to identify which parent unit stores the print data, then the child unit can find the correct parent unit, but the processing load on both the child unit and parent units increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by having parent units proactively notify each other about stored print data before any child unit needs to access it. When print data is stored in a parent unit, that parent unit notifies other parent units, which in turn notify their connected child units. This preliminary notification mechanism eliminates the need for child units to send inquiry requests to each parent unit, thereby reducing processing load while maintaining accurate identification of the correct parent unit.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple parent units are connected to the network, then the system provides more printing options and redundancy, but the time required to identify the correct parent unit increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary notifications when print data is stored, so that child units are already aware of which parent unit holds the data before they need to print. This eliminates the time-consuming inquiry process and allows the system to maintain multiple parent units for versatility without incurring time penalties for identification.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where parent units notify each other and notify child units about stored print data. This feedback loop ensures that information about data location is propagated throughout the network, allowing child units to quickly identify the correct parent unit without having to query each one, thus reducing identification time while maintaining multiple parent units for adaptability.
3Speed
If parent units notify each other about stored print data, then child units can quickly identify the correct parent unit, but parent units experience increased processing load from sending notifications
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges the notification function into the existing parent unit architecture, where parent units that already store and manage print data also handle the notification task. This combines multiple functions (data storage, management, and notification) into a single operational flow, reducing the need for separate notification mechanisms and minimizing the additional processing load on parent units while maintaining fast identification speed for child units.
Data Source
AI summary
A printing control system comprising: a plurality of image forming apparatuses set as parent units; and a plurality of image forming apparatuses set as child units, all of which are connected together through a network, wherein a child of the child units unit obtains a job list response from any one of the parent units either storing a print data item to be identified with a job name of a print data item included in a job list information item requested by a job list request, or not storing the print data item.