Printing Server SNS Linking for Automated Content Printing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing printing systems require users to perform multiple operations to access and print content from specific websites, often necessitating dedicated software or plug-ins, limiting convenience and content protection, and restricting user expansion beyond aware users.

Innovation Solution

A printing server and system that links user registration information from social networking services to printers, allowing users to post identification information for content data, which is then automatically printed by linked printers, without requiring content download or dedicated software, enabling easy and secure printing with specified conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If users access specific websites and select content to print, then printing functionality is achieved, but user operation complexity increases due to multiple required steps

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprinting operation simplicityVSAvoidtime for content selection and printing

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system pre-establishes linking information between SNS user accounts and printer devices before actual printing is needed. This preliminary linking allows users to directly print content from SNS without performing complex selection operations at printing time, thus resolving the contradiction between operation simplicity and time consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The printing server acts as an intermediary between SNS and printers, receiving print requests from SNS posts and automatically routing them to linked printers. This intermediary mechanism eliminates the need for users to manually navigate websites and select content, directly addressing the operation complexity issue.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If dedicated application software or plug-in is installed for content protection, then content security is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to installation requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontent protectionVSAvoidsoftware installation burden

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces the mechanical approach of installing dedicated software with an information-based approach using SNS integration. The printing server retrieves and processes content directly from SNS through API connections, eliminating the need for users to install additional software while maintaining content protection through server-side control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Adaptability or versatility

If content is downloaded to user terminal for printing, then printing flexibility is improved, but content protection deteriorates due to local storage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprinting flexibilityVSAvoidcontent protection

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of downloading full content to user terminals, the system creates and transmits only the necessary print instructions and minimal data to the printer. The actual content remains stored securely on the server, with printers receiving only authenticated print commands, thus maintaining both flexibility and protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

4Reliability

If online print site is used for printing, then content protection is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to inability to specify local printer

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontent protectionVSAvoidprinter selection flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system merges the advantages of online printing (content protection through server mediation) with local printer usage (user convenience). By establishing links between user accounts and local printers, the system enables protected online printing while maintaining the ability to specify and use preferred local devices, thus resolving the contradiction between protection and flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS10025545B2Printing server configured to communicate with social networking service, printing system, and printing method

Publication Date: 2018.07.17 SEIKO EPSON CORP

AI summary

A printing system holds a plurality of content data and linking information which links a printer and registration information of a user registered to an SNS. When a posting including content data identification information is performed to the SNS, the printing system judges the presence or absence of linking of the registration information of the user who has posted and the printer by referring to the linking information. When there is a printer linked to the registration information of the user who has posted, the printing system acquires content data identified by the identification information included in the posting from the content data holding unit, generates print data for printing an image from the content data, sends the print data to the printer linked to the registration information of the user who has performed the posting, and causes the printer to print the image based on the print data.