Printing Controller Prevents Unauthorized Print Data Transmission

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing printing systems do not effectively prevent printed materials intended for one user from being printed by another user, even when the printer is managed by a specific administrator.

Innovation Solution

A printing controller apparatus with a transmitting unit, receiving unit, and controller that prohibits the transmission of printing information to the printer if state information indicates that printing information for a different user is currently being printed or in a printing state, using user identifiers or group affiliations to manage access and prevent unauthorized printing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the printer allows multiple users to access and print simultaneously, then printer utilization efficiency is improved, but the risk of unauthorized printing of another user's materials increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprinter utilization efficiencyVSAvoidunauthorized printing

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by checking the printer's current state and transmitting a wake-up signal before allowing print data transmission. This ensures that the printer is properly activated and ready to receive data from the authorized user, preventing unauthorized printing while maintaining efficient multi-user access.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback mechanisms by monitoring the printer's state information and adjusting data transmission accordingly. The transmission control unit checks whether the printer is in a busy state or needs awakening, and only transmits print data when appropriate, thus preventing unauthorized access while maintaining high utilization efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Use of energy by moving object

If the printer enters sleep mode to save energy, then energy consumption is reduced, but printing operations cannot be performed immediately when needed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoidprinting delay

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary action by transmitting a wake-up signal to the printer before print data transmission. This activates the printer from sleep mode in advance, ensuring it is ready to print immediately when the user needs it, thus reducing both energy consumption during idle periods and printing delay when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies preliminary anti-action by preventing the printer from entering deep sleep mode when print data is pending or when a user is about to print. The transmission control unit checks the printer state and only allows data transmission when the printer is awake or can be quickly awakened, balancing energy savings with immediate printing capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Data Source

PatentUS11314471B2Preventing print data from being transmitted when printer is in a busy state

Publication Date: 2022.04.26 FUJIFILM BUSINESS INNOVATION CORP

AI summary

A printing controller apparatus includes a transmitting unit, a receiving unit, and a controller. The transmitting unit performs transmission of first printing information to a printer. The receiving unit receives state information indicating a state of the printer. The controller performs control of the transmitting unit to prohibit the transmission of the first printing information to the printer if the state information indicates a state in which second printing information different from the first printing information is currently being printed or a state in which the second printing information is to be printed.