Remote Printing System Cloud Management Print Job Security

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing multifunction peripherals face challenges in managing print data confidentiality and efficiency, particularly in remote printing scenarios, where information leakage can occur due to immediate printing and limited flexibility in print settings, leading to potential delays and resource constraints when managing bibliographic information.

Innovation Solution

A remote printing system that utilizes a cloud server to collectively manage bibliographic information, allowing multifunction peripherals to operate as both input and output machines, with features like user authentication, print job reservation, and dynamic print setting changes, enabling secure and efficient printing operations across a network.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If print data is immediately printed upon receipt, then printing speed is improved, but information security deteriorates due to potential leakage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprinting speedVSAvoidinformation leakage
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary authentication and authorization actions before printing. The multifunction peripheral checks user credentials and print release codes in advance, storing authenticated user information and pending print jobs securely. This preliminary verification prevents unauthorized access and information leakage while maintaining efficient printing for authenticated users.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If print settings are changed after receiving all print data, then print flexibility is improved, but printing time increases due to delays

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprint setting flexibilityVSAvoidprinting delay
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts print settings based on real-time user input and device status. The operation panel allows users to modify print parameters (such as paper size, color mode, finishing options) at any point before print execution, and the system recalculates and adapts the printing process accordingly without requiring complete reprocessing of all print data.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary analysis of print data characteristics upon receipt, pre-calculating compatible print settings and constraints. This preliminary preparation enables faster setting adjustments later, as the system already has baseline information about the print job requirements and can make optimized modifications without complete reprocessing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple multifunction peripherals are used for remote printing, then printing versatility is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveremote printing capabilityVSAvoidsystem configuration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements universal print job formats and standardized communication protocols that work across all multifunction peripherals in the network. Each device can function as both an input machine (receiving and storing print jobs) and an output machine (retrieving and printing jobs), eliminating the need for complex role assignments and simplifying system configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system introduces a centralized authentication and job management intermediary that coordinates between multiple multifunction peripherals. This intermediary handles user verification, print job routing, and setting synchronization, reducing the complexity that would otherwise arise from direct peer-to-peer communication between multiple devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3757750B1Printing system and control method
Publication Date: 2024.05.15 CANON KK
  • EP3757750B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3757750B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3757750B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

A first printing apparatus acquires identification information for identifying print data and information indicating a print setting for the print data, when receiving from a user an instruction to print out the print data and an instruction to change the print setting, sends the identification information and information indicating change content of the print setting to a second printing apparatus, and when receiving a print request, prints out print data contained in the received print request. The second printing apparatus changes the print setting based on the information indicating the change content; and sends a print request containing the changed print setting and the print data identified by the identification information. In the first printing apparatus, in response to reception of a print request from the second printing apparatus, print data contained in the received print request is printed out.