User-Selected Cloud Storage for Print Jobs Beyond the Print Server
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cloud printing systems restrict print jobs to be saved only in the storage of a cloud print server managed by the printer manufacturer, limiting user flexibility and security, and increasing communication load and management costs.
Innovation Solution
A printing system that allows saving print jobs in user-designated cloud storage instead of the cloud print server, enabling user choice of storage and reducing server load.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If print jobs are saved only in the storage of a cloud print server managed by the manufacturer, then the system maintains centralized control and security, but user flexibility and security are limited, and communication load and management costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism (cloud storage service) between the client terminal and the image forming apparatus. The client terminal transmits print jobs to cloud storage, which then makes them available to the image forming apparatus. This intermediary approach allows users to choose their own cloud storage providers, increasing flexibility while reducing the communication load on the traditional cloud print server infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the print job storage function from the cloud print server and relocates it to user-designated cloud storage services. By separating the storage function from the print server, the system allows users to leverage existing cloud storage infrastructure, thereby reducing the management burden and communication load on the print server while maintaining centralized access control.
2Reliability
If print jobs are saved in user-designated cloud storage, then user flexibility and security are improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent leverages the universality of cloud storage services, which are already widely adopted and trusted by users for their security and reliability. By using existing cloud storage infrastructure that users are already familiar with, the system improves security and user confidence without requiring users to learn new systems or manage additional complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows users to leverage their existing cloud storage accounts and authentication mechanisms. Users can directly use their cloud storage services without requiring the print system to manage separate storage infrastructure, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high security standards through established cloud storage protocols.
3Loss of energy
If print jobs are saved in cloud storage other than cloud print server storage, then management costs are reduced, but the reliability of centralized control may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The cloud storage service acts as a mediator that maintains centralized control while reducing management costs. The image forming apparatus can still access and manage print jobs through the cloud storage interface, preserving centralized control capabilities. Meanwhile, users bear the management costs of their own cloud storage subscriptions rather than the manufacturer bearing the costs of centralized print server storage infrastructure.
Data Source
AI summary
A mechanism capable of saving a print job in a cloud storage other than a storage of a cloud print server in a cloud print service is provided. A printing system providing a cloud print service includes at least one processor, and a memory coupled to the processor storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform causing an information processing apparatus, which has received an instruction from a user, to generate a print job and transmit the print job to a set save location, and causing an image forming apparatus, which has received a print execution instruction from the user, to obtain the print job saved in the save location and execute a print processing of the obtained print job. The save location is a cloud storage other than a storage of a cloud print server managed by a manufacturer of the image forming apparatus.