Roaming Printing Workstation Without Central Server

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing roaming printing systems are unsuitable for small business offices without a central print server, as they require a central server to store and transmit print job data, which is not feasible in installations with limited PCs and printers.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that allows print job data to be generated and stored on a workstation, with ID information assigned to the data, enabling the transmission of print job data directly between workstations and printing devices without a central server, using a user-specified PIN, unique job code, username and password, or card number for authentication and job selection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a central print server is used to store and transmit print job data, then roaming printing functionality is achieved, but system complexity and cost increase making it unsuitable for small offices

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveroaming printing functionalityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the central print server component from the roaming printing system, eliminating the need for a dedicated server. Instead, print job data is stored locally on the user's workstation, and the system uses direct peer-to-peer communication between workstations and printing devices. This extraction of the central server component resolves the contradiction by maintaining roaming printing functionality while significantly reducing system complexity and cost for small office environments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism in the form of multi-cast communication and ID information assignment. The workstation assigns ID information to print job data and transmits it via multi-cast to available printing devices. This intermediary approach enables direct communication between workstations and printers without requiring a central server, thus resolving the contradiction between functionality and complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If print job data is stored on a central server, then secure authentication and job management are achieved, but infrastructure requirements increase beyond small office capabilities

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveauthentication securityVSAvoidinfrastructure requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The workstation performs self-service by storing print job data locally and generating ID information for authentication purposes. The printing devices also perform self-service by receiving multi-cast transmissions and processing authentication locally without needing to communicate with a central server. This self-service approach maintains authentication security while eliminating the infrastructure requirements of a central server, resolving the contradiction for small office environments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS9661161B2Roaming printing by assigning ID informaton of a user to print job data and transmitting the assigned ID information to printing devices on a network by multi-casting

Publication Date: 2017.05.23 NTWARE SYSTEMPROGRAMMIERUNGS GMBH

AI summary

A method of printing a document is described. The method comprises a workstation generating and storing print job data for a document, the workstation assigning ID information to the print job data, the user inputting the assigned ID information at a chosen printing device, the printing device transmitting a print job data request signal to the workstation, and the workstation transmitting the print job data to the printing device.