Terminal Device Printer Registration via Print Intermediation Server

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing printer technologies require users to manually register printer information and access web server functions, making the process cumbersome and inconvenient, especially for users unfamiliar with printer settings.

Innovation Solution

A terminal device and printer system that utilizes a print intermediation server to register virtual print conditions, which can be easily changed to actual print conditions using NFC communication, allowing users to select print settings from a portable terminal without direct printer interaction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the printer directly registers actual print condition information with the server, then the print settings are accurate, but the user operation becomes complex and inconvenient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprint condition accuracyVSAvoiduser convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a terminal device as an intermediary between the user and the printer registration process. The terminal device collects actual print condition information from the printer and registers it with the server on behalf of the user, eliminating the need for users to manually access printer web servers or configure complex settings. This intermediary approach maintains accurate print condition registration while significantly simplifying user operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The terminal device performs preliminary actions by automatically collecting print condition information from the printer before the user needs to make print settings. The device retrieves printer information, identifies actual print conditions, and pre-registers them with the server, so that when the user needs to print, accurate settings are already available without requiring complex user configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If the user manually accesses printer web server to register information, then the registration is accurate, but the process becomes time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveregistration accuracyVSAvoidregistration time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The terminal device performs self-service by automatically collecting printer information and registering it with the server without requiring user intervention in the complex registration process. The device autonomously communicates with the printer, extracts print condition information, and completes the registration, thereby maintaining accurate registration while eliminating time-consuming manual operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the manual mechanical process of accessing printer web servers and configuring settings with an automated electronic process. The terminal device uses electronic communication protocols to automatically retrieve printer information and register it with the server, substituting the time-consuming manual mechanical operations with efficient automated electronic data exchange.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of manufacture

If virtual print condition information is used initially, then the setup is simple, but the print settings may not match actual printer capabilities

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesetup simplicityVSAvoidprint condition accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The terminal device performs preliminary action by automatically collecting the printer's actual print condition information and registering it with the server. This preliminary registration of accurate print conditions ensures that when users make print settings, they are working with real printer capabilities rather than generic virtual settings, thereby resolving the accuracy issue while maintaining setup simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically changes the print condition parameters from virtual default values to actual printer-specific values. The terminal device retrieves the printer's actual print condition parameters (such as supported paper sizes, resolutions, and color capabilities) and updates the registration with these accurate parameters, ensuring that print settings match the actual printer capabilities while keeping the initial setup simple.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS9274733B2Terminal device and printer capable of using print intermediation server in which printer related information including print condition information is registered

Publication Date: 2016.03.01 BROTHER KOGYO KK

AI summary

A terminal device may register printer related information including virtual print condition information indicating a virtual print condition in a print intermediation server, obtain authentication information from the print intermediation server, receive print condition related information being related to an actual print condition from an actual printer after the printer related information was registered in the print intermediation server, and changing, by using the authentication information and the print condition related information, contents of the printer related information being registered in the print intermediation server, from a state including the virtual print condition information to a state including actual print condition information indicating the actual print condition.