Virtual Printer System for Standardized Record Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions for storing and managing digital records lack compatibility across applications, fail to include metadata, and provide inadequate security and search functionality, leading to inefficiencies in computing and storage resources and concerns over record accessibility and security.
Innovation Solution
A virtual printing system comprising a driver system, a virtual print server, and a database that captures and converts print data and metadata into a standardized format, enabling secure storage and searchable digital files with role-based access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If records are stored in application-specific formats, then records can be generated and accessed by the generating application, but records become inaccessible when the application is upgraded or disabled
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a virtual print server as an intermediary component that receives print streams from various applications and converts them into a standardized format stored in a database. This intermediary layer decouples the storage format from the generating application, ensuring records remain accessible even when applications are upgraded or disabled. The virtual print server acts as the mediator between diverse applications and the unified storage system.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple applications are maintained to access records in multiple formats, then records can be accessed by different applications, but computing and storage resources are consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal storage format (PDF/A) that can store records generated by any application, eliminating the need for multiple application-specific storage systems. The virtual print server provides multi-functional capability by accepting print streams from diverse applications and converting them all to the same standardized format, allowing a single storage system to serve multiple applications without requiring separate infrastructure for each format.
3Quantity of substance
If PDF files are stored without metadata, then storage space is conserved, but search, query, and indexing capabilities are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent embeds metadata directly within the PDF/A file structure itself, nesting the metadata information inside the document container. This approach allows metadata to be stored with each record without requiring separate storage structures, as the metadata becomes an integral part of the PDF/A file. The nested structure enables both efficient storage and comprehensive search capabilities simultaneously.
4Ease of operation
If PDF files are archived without role-based access control, then access is simplified, but security of confidential records is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements role-based access control at the individual record level within the database, allowing different security permissions to be applied to different records based on user roles. This local quality approach enables fine-grained security control where each record can have its own access restrictions tailored to specific user roles, while maintaining a unified and simple access interface for users. The security constraints are applied locally to specific records rather than uniformly across all records.
Data Source
AI summary
A virtual printing system includes a driver system, a network, a virtual print server, a database, and a search and report terminal to capture and store a print stream in PDF or PDF/A format. The driver system captures and converts metadata and print data from the client devices into a print stream. The virtual printer receives and prints the print stream as PDF or PDF/A files. The search and report terminal aids in searching within the PDF or PDF/A files.