Virtual Printer Registration via Terminal Mediator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing printer technologies require users to manually register printer information with a print intermediation server, which is inconvenient and may lead to increased communication loads and resource usage, especially when multiple users share printers.
Innovation Solution
A method where a terminal device registers a virtual printer ID and conditions with the print intermediation server instead of the actual printer's ID and conditions, allowing users to print without direct communication between the printer and the server, reducing the need for XMPP connections and minimizing resource loads.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the printer directly communicates with the print intermediation server to register printer information, then the server can obtain accurate printer capabilities and settings, but the communication load and resource usage increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a terminal device as an intermediary between the user and the print intermediation server. The terminal device collects printer information (capabilities, settings, status) and transmits it to the server, eliminating the need for direct printer-server communication. This reduces the communication load on the printer while ensuring accurate registration of printer information through the terminal's data collection and transmission functions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple users share a printer with direct server communication, then each user can access printer functions, but the risk of unauthorized access and resource overloads increases
Solution Approach 1:
The terminal device serves as a mediator that manages the interaction between multiple users and the printer. Each user operates through their own terminal device, which collects and transmits printer information to the server. This intermediary layer enables multi-user access while maintaining security, as the server communicates with authenticated terminal devices rather than directly with the shared printer resource.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates virtual printer instances or copies of printer information for each user through the terminal device. Instead of direct access to the physical printer, users interact with virtual representations managed by the terminal, which then communicates with the server. This copying mechanism allows multiple users to access printer functions simultaneously while maintaining individual access control and reducing the risk of unauthorized operations on the actual printer.
3Productivity
If the printer performs direct communication with the server for print jobs, then print data can be obtained directly, but the printer's processing burden and resource consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The terminal device acts as an intermediary that handles the communication complexity between the server and the printer. The terminal collects printer status and capabilities, transmits this information to the server, and receives print jobs. This separates the communication complexity from the printer, allowing the printer to focus on its core printing function while the terminal manages the data exchange and protocol complexity with the server.
Data Source
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AI summary
A terminal device (70) may send a registration request to a print intermediation server in order to register virtual printer related information which is related to a virtual printer in the print intermediation server (100). The terminal device (70) may receive authentication information from the print intermediation server (100), and send image data related information to the print intermediation server (100). The image data related information may be information which is related to target image data representing a target image of a print target. The image data related information may be associated with the virtual printer related information and the authentication information in the print intermediation server (100). The terminal device (70) may send the authentication information to an actual printer (10). The authentication information may be used by the actual printer (10) to obtain target print data. The target print data may be data which is created from the target image data by the print intermediation server (100).