Image Reading Apparatus Driver Storage Management
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Users face difficulties in finding and installing drivers for printers or scanners, as it requires time and effort to search for the correct drivers and set up the installation environment.
Innovation Solution
An information processing apparatus with an image reading unit, an interface for external memory, an input unit, and a control unit that receives instructions to store image data and drivers in the external memory, simplifying the driver installation process by automatically managing driver storage and updating.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If users install drivers manually in information terminals to fully use printer or scanner functions, then functionality is improved, but user effort and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically detects when a printer or scanner is connected, identifies the required driver, and performs installation without user intervention. The control unit monitors connection status, retrieves driver information from storage or external sources, and executes installation procedures autonomously, eliminating the need for users to manually search and install drivers.
Solution Approach 2:
Driver files and installation information are pre-stored in the system's storage unit or accessible external storage devices. When a device is connected, the system has the necessary driver components ready for immediate installation, eliminating the need for users to download or locate drivers separately.
2Ease of operation
If drivers are automatically installed upon device connection, then ease of operation is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A management program acts as an intermediary between the connected device and the operating system. This management program handles driver detection, retrieval, and installation processes, shielding users from complexity while managing the automated installation workflow through a dedicated software layer.
3Ease of operation
If driver installation is fully automated, then user effort is reduced, but storage space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically manages driver storage by detecting actual usage patterns. Drivers are loaded into main storage only when corresponding devices are connected or when usage is detected, and can be moved to external storage or removed when no longer needed, optimizing storage space based on real-time requirements rather than pre-loading all drivers permanently.
Data Source
AI summary
An information processing apparatus includes: an image reading unit configured to perform image reading; an interface to which an external memory is detachably attached; an input unit configured to receive an instruction of a user; a storage unit configured to store at least one of a reading driver of controlling the image reading unit and a reading driver-command of acquiring the reading driver from an external; and a control unit configured to: receive, from the input unit, a reading instruction of storing the image data, which is acquired by performing image reading, in the external memory attached to the interface, perform, when receiving the reading instruction of storing the image data, a reading driver-data storing process of storing both the image data and one of the reading driver and the reading driver-command in the external memory attached to the interface.