Cloud-Centric WOOBPE Printer Registration System
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Solution Overview
Problem
The current process of setting up a web-connected printer for services like email printing and scheduled printing is cumbersome, PC-centric, and requires software download, installation, and maintenance, leading to a poor user experience and high maintenance overhead.
Innovation Solution
A cloud-centric Web out-of-the-box print experience (WOOBPE) system that automatically registers printers to cloud services upon network connection, eliminating the need for software download and installation, and automating the registration and device enablement process, allowing users to select services and manage print applications through a cloud-based interface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the current PC-centric setup process with software download and installation is used, then the printer can be registered with ePrint Center/Cloud for print services, but the process becomes very cumbersome and requires maintenance overhead
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the printer registration and service provisioning functions from the local PC software environment and relocates them to the cloud. The printer directly communicates with ePrint Center/Cloud services via web protocols, eliminating the need for local software installation, configuration, and maintenance while achieving the same print service registration goals.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a web-based intermediary interface that mediates between the printer and cloud services. Instead of requiring direct PC-software-printer interaction, the system uses web browsers and cloud-based registration protocols as intermediaries, simplifying the user experience and eliminating software maintenance requirements.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the current ePrint Center registration process is used, then print services can be configured, but the process is tightly coupled with service provider and requires specific software
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the printer registration process universally compatible with multiple cloud service providers by implementing standardized web-based protocols. The printer can register with ePrint Center/Cloud services using generic web communication methods, allowing the same device to work with different service providers without requiring provider-specific software or complex configuration.
3Productivity
If printer software is downloaded and installed on PC, then print services can be accessed, but installation time and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs registration and service provisioning actions directly on the cloud platform before the user needs to access print services. The printer autonomously completes registration with ePrint Center/Cloud services upon initial setup, eliminating the need for subsequent software downloads, installations, and configurations that would otherwise be required before using print services.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for cloud centric Web out-of-box print experience (WOOBPE) for Web connected printers are disclosed. In one example, a printer is registered with a cloud print service upon the printer coupling to a network. A WOOBPE application is then launched via a computing device to obtain a network identification (ID) of the printer. A user account is then created with WOOBPE service providers for a user of the printer upon obtaining printer specific information using the network ID. Printer email ID is then provided and the printer email ID is then activated and a test page is printed based on the printer specific information. The printer is then claimed by sending the printer specific information to the WOOBPE service providers for subscribing to one or more print services and associating the printer specific information with the created user account.