Virtual Printer Capability Routing for Conditional Cloud Printing
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Solution Overview
Problem
In multi-tenant cloud printing environments, determining appropriate capability information for a virtual printer that associates multiple image forming apparatuses is challenging, leading to inefficient use of resources and potential unauthorized printing by apparatuses that do not meet the use conditions.
Innovation Solution
A method is implemented to determine the maximum capability for each item in the capability information of associated image forming apparatuses, setting the virtual printer's capability information to include this maximum, ensuring that only apparatuses meeting the use conditions can execute print jobs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the virtual printer's capability information is set to include the maximum capability of all associated image forming apparatuses, then the adaptability and resource utilization are improved, but the risk of unauthorized printing by apparatuses not meeting use conditions increases
Solution Approach 1:
The capability information is segmented into two distinct parts: (1) capability information used for matching print jobs to virtual printers, which reflects the maximum capability across all associated image forming apparatuses to ensure broad compatibility; and (2) use condition information stored separately that defines the actual requirements for executing print jobs. This segmentation allows the system to present a high-capability interface to users while maintaining strict compliance checks against actual apparatus capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The management server acts as an intermediary between the virtual printer and the associated image forming apparatuses. It maintains use condition information that defines the actual capabilities and requirements, and enforces these conditions when routing print jobs. This intermediary layer ensures that while the virtual printer can accept jobs based on maximum capability, only apparatuses meeting the use conditions can actually execute them, thus preventing unauthorized printing.
2Productivity
If the virtual printer associates multiple image forming apparatuses with different capabilities, then the resource utilization is improved, but the complexity of determining appropriate capability information increases
Solution Approach 1:
The management server performs preliminary actions by pre-defining and storing use condition information for each virtual printer before print jobs are submitted. These use conditions encapsulate the capability requirements needed to execute print jobs on associated image forming apparatuses. When a print job is submitted, the system simply matches the job against these pre-defined conditions rather than performing complex real-time analysis of multiple apparatus capabilities, thereby reducing computational complexity while maintaining efficient resource utilization.
3Reliability
If the system enforces strict use condition checks for each print job, then the reliability and authorization control are improved, but the processing time and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
Use condition information is defined and stored in advance for each virtual printer, encapsulating all capability requirements before any print jobs are submitted. This preliminary setup eliminates the need for complex real-time verification during print job processing. When a print job arrives, the management server performs a straightforward matching operation between the job requirements and the pre-defined use conditions, significantly reducing processing time while maintaining strict authorization control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a simplified representation of capability requirements through use condition information that copies and encapsulates the essential constraints. Instead of performing complex real-time analysis of multiple apparatus capabilities and use conditions, the system uses these pre-defined condition copies to quickly determine job eligibility, thereby reducing processing time while maintaining authorization integrity.
Data Source
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AI summary
An information processing apparatus (104) configures a virtual printer associated with one or a plurality of image forming apparatuses, manages capability information indicating a capability of each of the one or a plurality of image forming apparatuses associated with the virtual printer, determines, when a print job for the virtual printer is received, whether or not the print job is a conditional print job to be executed by an image forming apparatus that satisfies a predetermined condition, references, in a case where the print job is determined to be the conditional print job, the capability information and specifies an image forming apparatus that satisfies the predetermined condition from among the one or a plurality of image forming apparatuses, and transmits the conditional print job to an image forming apparatus that satisfies the predetermined condition.