Printing System Server Reservation Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

In existing printing systems, performance degradation occurs due to uncontrolled communication between multiple mobile terminals and image forming apparatuses, leading to reduced communication capacity and speed, which hampers efficient printing operations, especially when a large number of users are connected.

Innovation Solution

A printing system with a management server that manages printing reservations and notifies mobile terminals of connection information, allowing for controlled communication states between mobile terminals and image forming apparatuses, ensuring efficient resource allocation and disconnection after printing is complete.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple mobile terminals are connected to perform printing operations, then the system supports more users and increases versatility, but communication capacity and speed are reduced due to uncontrolled communication

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of connected usersVSAvoidcommunication speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts communication states by establishing connected states for mobile terminals with printing reservations and non-connected states for others. The management server controls the image forming apparatus to selectively connect with mobile terminals based on reservation status, enabling adaptive resource allocation that maintains communication speed while supporting multiple users.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Different communication qualities are assigned to different mobile terminals based on their reservation status. Terminals with printing reservations receive high-priority connected states with full communication capacity, while terminals without reservations are in non-connected states with limited or no communication capacity, ensuring printing operations receive sufficient bandwidth.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Stability of the object's composition

If communication remains continuous between mobile terminals and image forming apparatus, then connection stability is maintained, but communication resources are wasted and productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection stabilityVSAvoidprinting cycle efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of continuous communication, the system uses periodic connection establishment and termination based on printing job status. Mobile terminals are connected during active printing operations and disconnected when printing is complete or pending, creating a periodic connection pattern that eliminates wasteful continuous communication while maintaining stability during actual printing tasks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

Communication resources are discarded (disconnected) from mobile terminals after printing completion and recovered (reconnected) when new printing reservations are made. This resource management approach ensures communication channels are available for active printing operations while preventing resource waste during idle periods, thereby improving overall printing cycle efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

3Ease of operation

If user operation is required to disconnect communication after printing, then connection control flexibility is maintained, but operation complexity increases and automation decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisconnection operationVSAvoidautomatic disconnection

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSExtent of automation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs automatic disconnection of mobile terminals from image forming apparatus after printing completion without requiring user intervention. The management server monitors printing status and automatically establishes or terminates communication states based on reservation fulfillment, making the system self-managing and eliminating manual disconnection operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The management server continuously monitors printing job status and provides feedback to control communication states. When printing is complete, the server detects this status and automatically triggers disconnection of the mobile terminal, creating a closed-loop control system that automates the entire connection lifecycle based on real-time printing status feedback.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS10402130B2Printing system and related control method in which a printing apparatus connects with a mobile terminal if a printing reservation corresponding to a printing instruction from the mobile terminal is managed by a server

Publication Date: 2019.09.03 CANON KK

AI summary

A printing system includes an image forming apparatus that accepts a printing instruction from a mobile terminal, sends an inquiry to a server as to whether a printing reservation corresponding to the accepted printing instruction is managed by the server, and transmits connection information to the mobile terminal if the printing reservation is managed by the server. The image forming apparatus obtains printing data corresponding to the printing instruction from the mobile terminal set in the connected state, executes printing processing using the obtained printing data, and sets communication with the mobile terminal to an unconnected state after execution of the printing processing is complete. If the printing reservation corresponding to the accepted printing instruction is not managed by the server, the printing instruction accepted from the mobile terminal is rejected and the connection information is not transmitted to the mobile terminal.