Centralized Server for MFP Print Holding Settings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional multifunction peripherals (MFPs) face challenges in managing hold exception conditions for remote printing, as the settings are complex and require individual configuration for each MFP, leading to administrative inefficiencies and prolonged setup times.
Innovation Solution
An image forming system with a server and connected MFPs that utilize a centralized cloud server for managing bibliographic information and remote printing settings, allowing administrators to configure hold exception conditions hierarchically across multiple MFPs through a network, simplifying the process and reducing administrative burden.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If hold exception condition settings are made for all MFPs individually on their operation units, then each MFP can have customized print holding settings, but the administrator spends a lot of time making settings and the process is troublesome
Solution Approach 1:
A server acts as an intermediary between the administrator and multiple MFPs. The server stores setting information centrally and distributes it to target MFPs, eliminating the need for administrators to configure each MFP individually through their operation units. This reduces setup time while maintaining customization capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the configuration function for multiple MFPs into a single centralized interface on the server. Instead of accessing each MFP's operation unit separately, the administrator can configure settings for multiple MFPs simultaneously through one unified system, significantly reducing the time and effort required.
2Adaptability or versatility
If hold exception condition settings include multiple setting items for detailed control, then print job management becomes flexible, but the settings become complicated and time-consuming to configure
Solution Approach 1:
The server serves as an intermediary that manages complex setting information centrally. It handles the complexity of multiple setting items internally while presenting a simplified configuration interface to administrators. The server processes and distributes the detailed settings to MFPs without requiring administrators to directly manage each complex parameter.
3Adaptability or versatility
If individual MFP configuration is used for remote printing settings, then each MFP can be optimized for specific needs, but scalability to multiple MFPs is poor and administrative burden increases
Solution Approach 1:
The server provides a universal configuration system that can manage multiple MFPs with different requirements through a single platform. It maintains the ability to optimize settings for each specific MFP while providing centralized control, making the system scalable from a single device to multiple devices without increasing administrative burden.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming system includes a server and a plurality of image forming apparatuses having a print function and connected to the server via a network. The server includes one or more first processors that execute first instructions to provide an administrator screen configured to make a first setting related to the print function and make a second setting for defining an application target of the first setting from among the image forming apparatuses, and manage setting information about the print function of each of the image forming apparatuses based on the first and second settings made on the administrator screen. An image forming apparatus included in the image forming apparatuses includes one or more second processors that execute second instructions to obtain the setting information about the print function of the image forming apparatus via the network, and apply the obtained setting information to the image forming apparatus.