Scan Job Despooling via Print Subsystem
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current digital document imaging processes require users to manually select and retrieve network scan jobs from storage, which is not intuitive and prone to human error, as the scanning subsystem is separate from the print subsystem, lacking a combined driver or method to send despooling commands via the printer subsystem.
Innovation Solution
The method allows users to send network scan job retrieval requests using the existing print subsystem, treating the request as a pseudo print job, eliminating the need to identify the network address of the MFP and enabling retrieval before or after initiating the scan, with options for storage location and transmission timing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If users manually select and retrieve network scan jobs through the scanning subsystem, then scan jobs can be retrieved from storage, but the process is not intuitive and is prone to human error due to the separation from the print subsystem
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the scanning subsystem and print subsystem into a unified interface where scan job retrieval is performed through the print subsystem. The print driver is modified to include scan retrieval functionality, allowing users to access stored scan jobs through the familiar print subsystem rather than requiring separate scanning software or direct MFP access.
Solution Approach 2:
The print driver is enhanced to perform multiple functions: it can send print jobs to the MFP, retrieve scan jobs from MFP storage, and manage both print and scan operations through a single interface. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate scanning applications and provides a universal access point for all MFP operations.
2Measurement precision
If users specify the MFP network address or domain name to retrieve scan jobs, then the correct MFP can be targeted, but this increases the complexity of the retrieval process and user error potential
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically identifies and connects to the appropriate MFP without requiring users to manually specify network addresses or domain names. The print driver handles MFP identification and connection parameters automatically, leveraging existing print subsystem configurations to perform the identification task without user intervention.
3Ease of operation
If a separate scanning application is used to retrieve scan jobs, then scan job retrieval is possible, but this requires additional software and increases system complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges scan job retrieval functionality into the existing print driver, eliminating the need for separate scanning applications. The print driver is modified to include commands that can retrieve stored scan jobs from the MFP, combining what were previously separate functions (printing and scan retrieval) into a single integrated component.
Solution Approach 2:
The print driver serves multiple purposes: it can send print jobs to the MFP, retrieve scan jobs from storage, and manage both operations through a single interface. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate scanning applications and provides a universal access point for all MFP operations.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the scanning subsystem operates independently from the print subsystem, then each subsystem can be optimized separately, but this prevents unified access and increases operational complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the scanning subsystem and print subsystem into a unified interface where scan job retrieval is performed through the print subsystem. The print driver is modified to include scan retrieval functionality, allowing users to access stored scan jobs through the familiar print subsystem rather than requiring separate scanning software or direct MFP access.
Data Source
AI summary
A pseudo print job system and method are provided for managing scan jobs. The method comprises: scanning a document at the scanning device; spooling the scan job in storage; sending a pseudo print job request to the scanning device, from a connected client; despooling the scan job from storage in response to the pseudo print job request; and, sending the scan job to a connected destination. The spooling of the scan job in storage may include storing the scan job in a scanning device internal memory, a network-connected server memory, or a connected client memory. The scan jobs are sent to a destination specified in the pseudo print job request. Sending a pseudo print job request for the scan job includes the use of either a network scan-enabled print driver or an independent network scan application. Either way, the pseudo print job request is sent via the client's print subsystem.