Driverless Printing via Automatic Capability Discovery
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current printer installation processes for computer systems are time-consuming and require users to manually install and update printer drivers, often necessitating the entry of long software-license keys, which is cumbersome and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a driverless printing system that utilizes augmented discovery and network-printing protocols to query printers for their operational capabilities, eliminating the need for specific driver software by using APIs to access components like Bonjour and IPP, and providing a page-description language for generating printer data without the need for printer-specific configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual driver installation and updates are required, then printer functionality is ensured, but installation time and user effort increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service printing by allowing the computer to automatically obtain printer capabilities through discovery protocols and generate appropriate printer data without requiring manual driver installation. The printer independently provides its capability information, eliminating the need for user intervention in driver management.
Solution Approach 2:
The printer pre-configures its capability information and makes it available through discovery protocols before any printing operation occurs. This preliminary preparation allows the computer to automatically generate the necessary printer data without requiring subsequent manual driver installation or configuration steps.
2Adaptability or versatility
If printer-specific drivers are used, then printer compatibility is ensured, but device complexity and configuration requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses universal discovery protocols (Bonjour, IPP) that can query any printer for its capabilities, replacing the need for printer-specific drivers. A single universal interface handles multiple printer types by automatically adapting to the specific printer's capabilities through standardized protocols.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes printer data parameters based on the printer's actual capabilities obtained through discovery protocols. Instead of relying on static driver configurations, the system adjusts printer data generation parameters according to the specific printer model's supported formats, resolutions, and features.
3Reliability
If manual driver updates from manufacturer websites are required, then printer functionality is maintained, but user effort and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system eliminates manual driver update management by using discovery protocols that automatically query the printer for its current capabilities. The printer independently maintains its capability information, and the computer automatically adapts to any changes without requiring user intervention for driver updates.
4Productivity
If printer capability information is not automatically obtained, then system simplicity is maintained, but printing efficiency and adaptability decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The discovery protocols act as intermediaries between the computer and printer, automatically exchanging capability information. These protocols (Bonjour for discovery, IPP for printing) mediate the communication, allowing the system to obtain printer capabilities efficiently without direct complex interactions between the computer application and printer hardware.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The disclosed embodiments provide a printer (106) that facilitates driverless printing. This printer (106) includes a discovery component (212) configured to identify the printer (106) to a client (102), facilitate selection of the printer (106) by the client (102), obtain capability information from the printer (106) and send the capability information to the client (102). The printer (106) also includes a transport component (214) configured to receive printer data (208) from the client (102). Finally, the printer (106) includes a page-description-language component configured to print the received printer data (208).