Driver Attribute-Based Peripheral Management Screen Adaptation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The existing peripheral apparatus control systems, such as Device Stage in Windows 7, face challenges in providing user-friendly operations for multifunction printers with multiple printer class drivers, leading to deteriorated user operability due to the inability to identify and manage printer class drivers based on their attributes, and requiring users to manually select from a list of drivers.
Innovation Solution
A management unit in the information processing apparatus that acquires the attribute of the driver and determines the view content of the device management screen, allowing for improved user operability by enabling operations without deteriorating user experience, even when a single peripheral device is associated with multiple printer class drivers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the Device Stage screen displays a list of printer class drivers for selection, then the system can support multiple printer class drivers, but user operability deteriorates due to the need for manual selection
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically identifies and determines the appropriate printer class driver based on device attributes without requiring user intervention. The management unit acquires device attributes and autonomously selects the corresponding driver, allowing the system to serve itself rather than requiring manual user configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical selection process (user clicking through lists) with an automated information processing system that uses device attributes to programmatically determine the appropriate driver. This substitution eliminates the need for user interaction in driver selection.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the system requires manual selection of printer class drivers from a list, then all drivers can be accessed, but operation time increases and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary identification of the appropriate printer class driver by acquiring device attributes before the user needs to operate the device. This advance determination eliminates the time-consuming manual selection process that would otherwise be required during actual device operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The management unit autonomously performs driver identification and selection based on device attributes, allowing the system to self-configure without user intervention. This self-service approach significantly reduces operation time while maintaining access to multiple driver options.
3Device complexity
If the Device Stage screen uses static XML files for configuration, then the system structure is simple, but the system cannot dynamically adapt to different printer class driver attributes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic behavior to the configuration system by enabling the management unit to acquire and process device attributes at runtime. Instead of relying solely on static XML files, the system dynamically adapts its configuration based on the actual attributes of the connected printer device, allowing flexible adaptation while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Data Source
AI summary
A peripheral apparatus control system that provides a device management screen capable of producing appropriate view contents and functions according to the use environment of each user for improving operability. The system includes an information processing apparatus, a peripheral apparatus, a driver capable of controlling the peripheral apparatus, a peripheral apparatus management function capable of managing the peripheral apparatus, and a peripheral apparatus management screen. The system determines a view content of the peripheral apparatus management screen according to an attribute of the driver.