Cloud Printer Driver Setup Using Existing Printer Configuration
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The transition from a normal printer driver to a cloud printer driver results in the inability to automatically obtain device configuration information, such as option equipment settings, leading to manual configuration efforts for users.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that automatically sets configuration information for a cloud printer driver by matching driver modules with existing printer drivers on the client terminal, using priority assignment and user confirmation to ensure accurate and efficient configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a cloud printer driver is used instead of a normal printer driver, then printing flexibility and cloud service integration are improved, but the ability to automatically obtain device configuration information is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by detecting the installation of a cloud printer driver and automatically obtaining device configuration information from the image forming apparatus before the user needs to use printing functions. This proactive approach ensures that option equipment settings are pre-configured, eliminating the need for manual setup and maintaining ease of operation while enabling cloud printing flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary mechanism that acts as a bridge between the cloud printer driver and the image forming apparatus. This intermediary automatically detects the driver installation, communicates with the apparatus to obtain configuration information about option equipment, and applies the settings without requiring direct user intervention. This mediator resolves the contradiction by automating the configuration process that would otherwise be manual.
2Device complexity
If device configuration information is not automatically obtained, then system simplicity is maintained, but user effort and time for manual configuration increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements self-service by enabling the cloud printer driver to automatically detect its own installation status and autonomously obtain device configuration information from the image forming apparatus. The system serves itself by performing the configuration tasks that would otherwise require user intervention, thus maintaining system simplicity while eliminating configuration time loss through automated self-configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
Configuration information is obtained in advance automatically when the driver is installed, before the user needs to perform any printing operations. This preliminary action eliminates the need for users to spend time on manual configuration later, while the automation keeps the overall system simple by handling the complexity of information retrieval and processing in the background.
3Measurement precision
If manual setting of option equipment is required, then configuration accuracy can be ensured, but user effort and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback by detecting whether a cloud printer driver has been installed and automatically responding by obtaining and applying device configuration information. This feedback loop ensures that the correct configuration settings are applied based on the actual installation state, maintaining configuration accuracy while eliminating the need for users to manually verify and set each option, thus reducing user effort and operational complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
An intermediary mechanism is introduced to automatically obtain and apply configuration information from the image forming apparatus. This intermediary ensures configuration accuracy by directly retrieving settings from the apparatus itself rather than relying on user input, while simultaneously reducing user effort by handling the entire configuration process automatically without requiring user intervention.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
An information processing apparatus (101, Fig. 1) connected to a server (103, Fig. 1) that provides a cloud printing service has a communication unit (205, Fig. 2) for communicating with a connected external apparatus, and a controller (301, Fig. 3). The controller (301, Fig. 3) specifies an image forming apparatus that satisfies a predetermined condition from among a plurality of image forming apparatuses that have already been installed on the information processing apparatus when installing a cloud printer driver that generates a print job to be transmitted to the server (S603 to S609), and sets configuration information of a printer driver of the specified image forming apparatus as configuration information of the cloud printer driver (S610).