Document Management Server Spool Destination Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current image forming systems, such as pull print systems, face inefficiencies in determining the optimal multifunctional peripheral (MFP) for printing jobs, leading to potential device failures and increased printing times, as they do not effectively manage spool destinations based on user behavior and device usage patterns.
Innovation Solution
An image forming system comprising a user terminal, multiple MFPs, and a document management server, where the server randomly determines an MFP as the spool destination for the first print job and subsequently uses the previously used MFP for subsequent jobs, ensuring high usage frequency devices are utilized, thereby reducing administrative burden and printing time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the document management server randomly determines an MFP as the spool destination for each print job, then any MFP can be selected as the output destination, but the printing time increases and device usage efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The document management server performs preliminary actions by determining the spool destination in advance based on usage history before the actual print job is executed. This allows the system to pre-select the most appropriate MFP, avoiding time-consuming selections during job execution and reducing overall printing time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms by tracking and storing usage history of MFPs. This feedback information is used to intelligently determine spool destinations, allowing the system to learn from past behavior and optimize future selections, thereby reducing printing time while maintaining adaptability.
2Measurement precision
If administrators manually manage spool destinations for each user, then precise control over print job routing is achieved, but the administrative burden increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service functionality by automatically determining spool destinations based on usage history without requiring administrator intervention. The document management server autonomously makes routing decisions, eliminating the need for manual configuration and reducing administrative burden while maintaining precise control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the control parameter from static administrator-defined rules to dynamic usage-based selections. By transitioning from manual configuration to automated decision-making based on usage history, the system achieves precise spool destination control without increasing administrative complexity.
3Productivity
If the system selects MFPs based on usage frequency, then high-usage devices are prioritized reducing printing time, but the system complexity increases due to usage tracking requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The document management server performs multiple functions: it not only manages print job routing but also tracks and analyzes usage history of MFPs. By combining these functions in a single system, the patent avoids the need for separate tracking infrastructure, thereby improving printing efficiency without proportionally increasing system complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
An image forming system includes a user terminal (300), a plurality of image forming apparatuses (100), and a document management server (200). The document management server (200): randomly determines the image forming apparatus (100) as the spool destination of the print job and notifies the user terminal (300) of the image forming apparatus (100) when the document management server (200) receives the print job information from the user terminal (300) for the first time; and notifies the user terminal (300) of the previously used image forming apparatus (100) as the spool destination of the print job when the document management server (200) receives the print job information from the user terminal (300) at or after the second time. The image forming apparatus (100) that has accepted a login request from a user confirms the spool destination of the print job determined by the document management server (200), reads the print job from the spool destination, and executes a printing process.