Server-Based Print Setting Management for Shared Printer Systems

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The existing printing system management is inefficient due to the need for separate installation of printer drivers on both server and client apparatuses, especially when multiple shared printers are involved, leading to increased management efforts.

Innovation Solution

A printing system where specific setting data is set on the server apparatus and applied to the terminal apparatus, which includes a printer driver that generates data for image formation based on print settings, allowing the terminal apparatus to store and reflect these settings for control purposes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If printer drivers are installed separately on server and client apparatuses for Point & Print function, then printing function is enabled, but management effort increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprinting functionVSAvoidmanagement effort

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the printer driver installation step from the server apparatus and client apparatus, retaining only the essential printing function through a simplified mechanism where the server apparatus stores printing condition data and the client apparatus retrieves and applies it, eliminating the need for separate driver installations while maintaining printing reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The server apparatus is designed to serve multiple client apparatuses simultaneously by storing printing condition data that can be retrieved and applied by any connected client, making the system universally applicable across multiple devices without requiring individual driver installations on each client

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If printer drivers are installed on multiple shared printers, then each printer can be accessed, but management effort increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshared printer accessVSAvoidmanagement effort

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The server apparatus acts as an intermediary between multiple client apparatuses and the shared printers, centralizing the management of printing conditions and enabling multiple clients to access shared printers through a single management point rather than requiring separate driver installations on each client

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS10942694B2Printing system, terminal apparatus and print setting method for setting the print settings by applying specific setting data set

Publication Date: 2021.03.09 SHARP KK

AI summary

A printing system includes a terminal apparatus with a printer driver that is installed in the terminal apparatus and generates data for an image formation apparatus based on print setting, and a server apparatus. The terminal apparatus and the server apparatus are connected to each other. The server apparatus includes a first setting device that sets specific setting data relating to the print setting, and an application device that applies the specific setting data to the terminal apparatus. The terminal apparatus includes a storage that stores setting data representing setting of the terminal apparatus, a reflector that reflects the specific setting data in the setting data, and a controller that refers to the setting data to perform control to modify the print setting.