Remote Print Capability Intermediary for Device-Specific Options

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing remote printing services often fail to consistently and correctly identify the complete print capabilities of a target printing device, especially when there is no direct connection, leading to limited functionality in generating print jobs.

Innovation Solution

A method where a client device requests and obtains print capabilities from the printing device, then transmits these capabilities to a web print server, allowing the server to render and provide print jobs with specific options unique to the device, even across various connection topologies.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a web print service renders print jobs without a direct connection to the printing device, then the client device can utilize remote printing services, but the service cannot consistently or correctly identify the complete print capabilities of the target printing device

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveremote printing service accessibilityVSAvoidprint capability identification accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The client device acts as an intermediary between the web print service and the printing device. It requests and obtains print capabilities from the printing device, then transmits this information to the web print service, enabling accurate capability identification without requiring a direct connection between the service and printer

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The capability acquisition process is segmented into distinct steps: the client device separately requests capabilities from the printing device, processes this information, and then transmits it to the web print service. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally while maintaining overall system connectivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If a web print service uses generic print options for an entire family of print devices, then the service can operate without direct device connections, but the functionality is limited and device-specific options are not available

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice-specific print option supportVSAvoidconnection topology requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The client device serves as an intermediary that bridges the web print service and printing devices with different capabilities. It obtains device-specific print capabilities and transmits this information to the service, enabling the service to provide customized print options for each device without requiring direct connections to diverse hardware

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the parameter of capability acquisition by having the client device request and transmit specific print capabilities (such as paper trays, paper sizes, memory capacity) from the printing device. This allows the web print service to receive detailed device parameters and generate appropriate print jobs with device-specific options

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS8605311B2Methods and systems for providing device specific print options to remote printing services

Publication Date: 2013.12.10 RICOH CO LTD

AI summary

Systems and methods are disclosed for enabling remote printing services to consistently obtain and utilize print capabilities of printing devices across a wide variety of connection topologies. A client device retrieves the print capabilities from one or more printing devices selected for printing a document. The document and the print capabilities are transmitted to a web print service for rending the document. The web print service generates a print job based on the document and the print capabilities of the printing device selected for printing the document. The web print service provides the print job to the selected printing device for subsequent printing.