Print Queue Control When Vendor Printer Drivers Are Blocked
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional print applications do not consider secure environments where printer drivers are blocked, leading to potential print failures and user confusion when attempting to use vendor printer drivers.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves an information processing apparatus and method that limits the display and functionality of vendor printer drivers, using OS functions to ensure only IPP class drivers are used, and provides user notifications to prevent selection errors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If vendor printer drivers are blocked to provide a secure environment, then security against attacks is improved, but print functionality using vendor drivers deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism that detects whether vendor printer drivers are blocked and mediates between the print application and the printer driver system. When vendor drivers are blocked, the system automatically switches to IPP class drivers, providing a seamless transition that maintains both security and print functionality without requiring user intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary detection of vendor printer driver block status before print operations commence. By checking the block status in advance and pre-configuring the appropriate driver selection, the system prevents print failures before they occur, ensuring both security compliance and functional continuity.
2Reliability
If vendor printer drivers are blocked, then security is improved, but user confusion and operability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms that automatically detect vendor driver block status and provide appropriate responses to the user interface. The system monitors driver availability and dynamically adjusts the displayed print queue information, providing clear feedback to users about which printers are available without requiring them to understand the underlying security configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables the system to automatically manage driver selection and print queue configuration without user intervention. The system self-adjusts based on detected block status, automatically selecting appropriate IPP class drivers and configuring print settings, thereby maintaining ease of operation even in restricted security environments.
3Loss of information
If all print queues are displayed to users, then information completeness is improved, but user confusion increases when vendor drivers are blocked
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality differentiation to the display of print queue information based on driver availability. When vendor drivers are blocked, the system selectively modifies the display properties of affected print queues (such as graying out or marking as unavailable) while maintaining the display of IPP class driver queues, providing context-specific information presentation that maintains both completeness and clarity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary assessment of driver block status and pre-configures the display information accordingly. By detecting blocked vendors drivers before displaying the print queue list, the system can proactively adjust which printers are shown and how they are presented, preventing user confusion before it occurs while maintaining complete and accurate information about available printing options.
Data Source
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AI summary
There is provided a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing executable instructions, which when executed by one or more processors of an information processing apparatus, cause the information processing apparatus to perform a control method. The information processing apparatus is communicably connected to an image forming apparatus. The control method includes determining S603 whether a function of blocking operations of printer drivers offered by a manufacturer of the image forming apparatus is enabled, and displaying S604, in a case where the function is enabled, print queues associated with the printer drivers in a gray-out state in a combo box for selecting a printing destination. The printer drivers in the gray-out state are associated with the function of blocking operations. The printer drivers in the gray-out state are unselectable.