Print Setting Application with Network Printer Icon Retrieval
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Solution Overview
Problem
When using standard drivers, OSs may not provide icons or applications from printer vendors, limiting the functionality of printer-specific settings and compatibility with non-cloud-print-supporting printers.
Innovation Solution
A control method that includes an application in the information processing apparatus to obtain printer icons from an external network location and display them, enabling detailed print settings through a print setting extension application, and utilizing a cloud print proxy for non-cloud-print-supporting printers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a standard driver is used, then compatibility with multiple printer models is improved, but the ability to obtain printer-specific icon images and access vendor applications is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a cloud print proxy service as an intermediary between the information processing apparatus and the printer. This mediator handles the retrieval of icon images and vendor applications from the cloud, allowing the standard driver to maintain compatibility while still accessing printer-specific resources through the intermediary service.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent moves icon image retrieval from a local dimension to a network dimension. Instead of requiring local access to printer resources, the system uses network-based cloud storage to store and serve icon images, enabling standard drivers to access printer-specific visual information through network connections rather than direct local access.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a standard driver is used, then printer compatibility is improved, but access to vendor applications and detailed print settings is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The cloud print proxy service acts as an intermediary that bridges the gap between standard drivers and vendor-specific functionality. It retrieves and serves vendor applications and detailed print settings through the network, allowing users to access enhanced functionality without switching from standard drivers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal access mechanism where the cloud print proxy service can serve multiple printer models and vendors through a single interface. The service maintains compatibility with standard drivers while providing universal access to vendor applications and detailed settings for various printer types including non-cloud-print-supporting models.
3Adaptability or versatility
If cloud print proxy is used for non-cloud-print-supporting printers, then accessibility is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cloud print proxy serves as an intermediary layer that handles the complexity of accessing non-cloud-print-supporting printers. By centralizing the proxy functionality in a separate service, the patent isolates complexity from the standard driver and user interface, maintaining simplicity at the user level while managing complexity in the intermediary layer.
Data Source
AI summary
A control method according to an embodiment is a control method implemented by executing an application stored in an information processing apparatus and providing a print setting screen for allowing a user to set print settings used when a driver in the information processing apparatus generates a print command to be provided for printing at a printer, the control method including: receiving an event from an operating system of the information processing apparatus; obtaining, in response to the event being received, information about a location where data of an icon indicating the printer is stored, from an external apparatus via a network; obtaining an icon image, based on the obtained information about the location; and causing a display unit of the information processing apparatus to display the obtained icon image.