Email Server Intermediary for Printer Driver Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing printing systems require special functions in both printers and servers to print files attached to emails, making it impossible to use existing printers for this purpose.
Innovation Solution
An information processing apparatus that receives emails with attached files, stores printer drivers and identifiers, identifies the correct printer driver, generates print data, and sends it to the corresponding printer, allowing printing without special printer or server functions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a printer is equipped with special functions to request e-mail addresses from a server and manage printer-driver information, then e-mail printing is enabled, but device complexity increases and existing printers cannot be used
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces an e-mail server as an intermediary that holds printer-driver information and manages the association between printers and drivers. The server acts as a mediator between the e-mail system and the printer, eliminating the need for the printer itself to have complex functions for managing driver information and e-mail addresses.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a server is equipped with special functions to manage the table associating e-mail addresses and printers, then e-mail printing is enabled, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention makes the e-mail server multi-functional by enabling it to not only handle e-mail transmission but also store printer-driver information and manage the association between printers and drivers. This universal approach allows the existing e-mail server to perform multiple functions without requiring a separate dedicated system.
3Device complexity
If existing printers are used without special functions, then device compatibility is maintained, but the ability to print e-mail attachments is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The e-mail server serves as an intermediary that bridges the gap between simple existing printers and the e-mail system. The server handles the complex tasks of driver management and printer identification, allowing ordinary printers without special functions to print e-mail attachments effectively.
Data Source
AI summary
An information processing apparatus which is capable of printing a file attached to an e-mail using an existing printing apparatus. An electronic mail with a file attached thereto is received. With respect to each of printing apparatuses, a printer driver used in the printing apparatus and an identifier that identifies the printing apparatus are stored in association with each other in a storage unit. Based on the stored information, a printer driver corresponding to an identifier that identifies a printing apparatus entered in the received electronic mail is identified as a printer driver to be used. Print data is generated from the file attached to the received electronic mail using the identified printer driver. The generated print data is sent to the identified printing apparatus.