Printing Control Server Email Address Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing printing control systems face increased server load and storage capacity issues due to the need to manage multiple printer addresses and printing settings, leading to inefficient communication and storage requirements.

Innovation Solution

A printing control server that associates device designating character strings with printer devices and printing conditions designating character strings, allowing for separate management and identification of printers and settings, reducing the need for individual address management and minimizing communication and storage volume, while enabling complex printing conditions and preventing wasteful printing by associating these strings with email destinations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple addresses are assigned for each printer and printing setting combination, then printing conditions can be precisely designated, but storage capacity and server load increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprinting condition designationVSAvoidstorage capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The address is segmented into two independent parts: a device designating character string for printer identification and a printing condition designating character string for condition specification. This segmentation allows the system to manage printers and printing conditions separately, reducing the total number of address combinations that need to be stored and managed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The device designating character string serves multiple purposes: it identifies the printer device, enables communication with the printer, and forms part of the email address for condition designation. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate management structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple addresses are managed for each printer and printing setting, then specific printing conditions can be assigned to specific printers, but communication volume increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprinter-condition mappingVSAvoidcommunication volume

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the address into device designating and condition designating components, the system reduces the number of unique addresses that need to be communicated and managed. The device designating character string remains constant for a given printer, while only the condition designating character string varies.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If individual addresses are assigned for each printer and printing condition, then precise control is achieved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprinting control flexibilityVSAvoidaddress management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The address management complexity is reduced by segmenting addresses into two independent components. The device designating character string is managed once per printer, while the condition designating character string is managed separately for each printing condition, simplifying the overall management structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The printing control server acts as an intermediary that processes the segmented address components. It extracts the device designating character string to identify the printer and the condition designating character string to determine printing conditions, simplifying the communication protocol.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS9229665B2Printing control server, printing control method, and printing system for controlling printing using email address

Publication Date: 2016.01.05 SEIKO EPSON CORP

AI summary

A printing control server includes a device management section which manages a printer device and a device designating character string unique to the printer so as to be associated, a settings management section which manages a printing condition and a printing conditions designating character string set for each printing condition so as to be associated, a receiving section which receives an email including a domain in a destination address, a settings section which, when a first address where a local section includes the device designating character string and a second address where a local section includes the printing conditions designating character string are included as the destination of the email, sets the printing condition corresponding to the second address with the printer device corresponding to the first address as a printing destination, and a printer communication section which executes printing based on the email using the printing condition.