Driverless Network Printing via Device Capability Discovery

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The existing method of using client-side printer drivers for printing electronic documents is costly and requires expertise, as manufacturers may not provide drivers for all operating systems, limiting printing capabilities and user convenience.

Innovation Solution

A client can detect and communicate with networked printing devices to determine their capabilities, allowing direct transmission of electronic documents and print configuration data without the need for a client-side printer driver, using protocols like Web Services for machine-to-machine interaction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a client-side printer driver is installed to enable printing to a particular printer model, then printing functionality is achieved, but installation complexity and user expertise requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprinting functionalityVSAvoidinstallation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The printing device performs self-identification and capability advertisement by broadcasting its presence and supported features on the network. Clients can automatically discover and connect to printing devices without requiring manual driver installation, as the printing device provides its own capability information directly to the client.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

A network-based intermediary system (printing device itself acting as server) mediates between the client and the printing functionality. The printing device serves as both the endpoint and the information source, eliminating the need for client-side driver software by providing capability information through network protocols.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a printer driver is made available for each operating system to ensure compatibility, then printing support across platforms is improved, but manufacturing cost and resource investment increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecross-platform supportVSAvoiddriver development cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The printing device is designed to be universally accessible from any operating system by implementing a platform-independent network interface. Instead of creating multiple operating system-specific drivers, the printing device itself provides a universal network-based printing service that can be accessed by any client through standard network protocols, making the printing device multi-functional across different platforms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of the client adapting to the printer through operating system-specific drivers, the approach is inverted: the printing device adapts to any client by broadcasting its capabilities and accepting print jobs through a universal network interface. The intelligence is moved from the client side to the printing device side.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Reliability

If printer drivers are pre-installed on clients to enable printing, then printing capability is ensured, but device complexity and storage requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprinting capabilityVSAvoidclient software complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The printing driver functionality is extracted from the client system and relocated to the printing device itself. The client no longer needs to store or execute driver software, as all printing capability information and processing is performed by the printing device, which now contains the necessary intelligence previously required on the client side.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Manufacturing precision

If manual driver installation is required for each printer, then precise printer control is achieved, but time consumption and user effort increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprinter control precisionVSAvoidinstallation time

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The printing device performs preliminary actions by automatically broadcasting its presence, supported formats, and capability information before any print job is submitted. This pre-announcement of capabilities allows clients to immediately connect and print without waiting for manual driver installation or configuration, as all necessary information is already available on the network.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS7804612B2Network printing with driverless clients

Publication Date: 2010.09.28 RICOH CO LTD

AI summary

A method and mechanism for a client causing an electronic document to be printed without using a printer driver installed on the client is provided. A client discovers one or more printing devices on a network. The client communicates with a discovered printing device to identify the printing features supported by the discovered printing device. When the client receives a request to print an electronic document to a selected printing device, the client sends the electronic document and print configuration data to the selected printing device. As the client has been informed of the printing features supported by the selected printing device, the client can send the electronic document and the print configuration data to the selected printing device in a form readable by the selected printing device. The selected printing device processes the electronic document and the print configuration data to produce a printed copy of the electronic document.