Virtual Printer Conflict Detection via Preliminary Action
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Solution Overview
Problem
The use of a cloud server as a virtual printer with printing capabilities defined by the logical sum of multiple printers' capabilities leads to inconvenience for users, as they must set print settings correctly before conflict checks and wait for validation, resulting in delayed print data generation and potential invalid settings.
Innovation Solution
A server system and print controller that determine if a combination of print settings is executable across multiple printers, storing conflict information and restricting invalid settings, allowing for advanced notification of inexecutable settings and improved user convenience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a cloud server is used as a virtual printer with capabilities defined by the logical sum of multiple printers, then the versatility and availability of the printing system is improved, but the user convenience deteriorates due to required manual setting and waiting for conflict checks
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs conflict checks in advance by determining whether a printer capable of performing printing with both first and second print settings is included in the plurality of printers before the user submits print data. The conflict information is stored beforehand, so when a user sets print settings, the system can immediately check against pre-computed conflict data without requiring the user to wait for validation, thus maintaining versatility while improving ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides feedback to the user about conflicting print settings by retrieving stored conflict information and notifying the user in advance that desired print settings are inexecutable. This feedback mechanism allows users to adjust their settings before submitting print data, improving user convenience while maintaining the logical sum capability of the virtual printer
2Reliability
If conflict check is performed with logical sum of capabilities, then the reliability of print job validation is improved, but the time required for print data generation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The server system performs conflict determination in advance by checking whether a printer capable of performing printing with both first and second print settings is included in the plurality of printers. The conflict information is stored in advance, so when print data generation is requested, the system can quickly retrieve pre-computed conflict information rather than performing real-time validation across all printer combinations, thus maintaining validation accuracy while reducing time loss
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges the conflict checking function into the virtual printer's capability management. By combining the conflict determination logic with the existing capability information storage, the system validates print settings against pre-aggregated conflict data from multiple printers simultaneously, maintaining reliable validation while reducing the time required for print data generation
3Measurement precision
If the system checks all combinations of print settings against multiple printers, then the accuracy of conflict detection is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts the conflict determination logic as a separate function from the main print data generation process. The server system includes a determination unit that specifically handles conflict checking by determining whether a printer capable of performing printing with both first and second print settings is included. This extracted function can be implemented independently, improving conflict detection accuracy while managing system complexity through functional separation
Solution Approach 2:
The determination unit serves multiple functions: it checks for conflicting print settings, stores conflict information, and provides feedback to users. By making this component universal and multi-functional, the system achieves accurate conflict detection across all printer combinations without proportionally increasing overall system complexity, as the same component handles multiple aspects of validation and user interaction
Data Source
AI summary
A server system that causes one of a plurality of printers to print an image received from an information processing apparatus. A virtual printer determines whether or not a printer capable of performing printing to which both of a first print setting and a second print setting are applied is included in the plurality of printers. In a case where it is determined that a printer capable of performing printing to which the first and second print settings are applied is not included in the plurality of printers, information indicating that the first print setting and the second print setting conflicting with each other is stored as prohibited settings information. The print settings are controlled based on the prohibited settings information.