Generic Printer Driver for Wireless Printing Without Local Drivers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional printing methods require specific printer drivers to be installed on a computer for printing, limiting the ability to print on available printers without pre-installed drivers.
Innovation Solution
A generic printer driver is stored on a mobile data processing device, converting data into a device-independent format, allowing connection to a print server or service provider to select and transmit print data to compatible printers via wireless interfaces like Bluetooth or W-LAN, using a printer object integrated into the printing system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a specific printer driver is installed on the computer, then printing to that printer is possible, but the number of printers that can be printed to is limited to those with installed drivers
Solution Approach 1:
A print server acts as an intermediary between the computer and multiple printers. The print server stores driver packages for various printers and handles the conversion of print data, allowing the computer to print to any supported printer without having drivers installed locally. This mediator resolves the contradiction by centralizing driver management.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a universal printing interface that can communicate with multiple different printer types through a single generic driver. The print server provides multi-functionality by supporting various printer protocols and formats, enabling one computer to print to many different printers without requiring separate drivers for each.
2Ease of operation
If a printer-specific driver is installed on the computer, then printing functionality is available, but the installation process becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
Printer driver packages are pre-installed and stored on the print server in advance. When printing is needed, the system automatically retrieves and installs the appropriate driver package from the server without requiring manual user installation. This preliminary preparation eliminates the time-consuming driver installation step for users.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service printing by automatically selecting and installing the appropriate driver package from the print server based on the target printer. The user simply needs to select the desired printer from the available list, and the system handles all driver-related operations automatically, eliminating manual installation effort.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple printer drivers are installed on the computer, then more printers can be accessed, but the device complexity and storage requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The driver packages are extracted from the computer system and stored externally on the print server. This separation allows the computer to access multiple printer drivers without storing them locally, reducing the computer's storage requirements while maintaining the ability to print to multiple printer types through the server's driver repository.
Data Source
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AI summary
The method involves storing contents changed into a given device-independent format on a primary data processing device. The information on which contents are to be printed is transmitted to a secondary data processing device over a printer (202) by the primary data processing device. The contents are rendered by the secondary data processing device. The data produced by rendering process is transmitted to the suitable printer. Independent claims are included for the following: (1) printing arrangement; and (2) computer program stored in machine-readable memory medium for performing printing method.