Path Independent Print Queue Service for Printer Connectivity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users face confusion and dissatisfaction due to multiple listings of the same printer in the printer selection GUI, leading to potential selection of unavailable paths and subsequent print job queuing issues, resulting in unnecessary delays and duplicate printing.
Innovation Solution
A path-independent print queue service (PIPQ service) is implemented, which monitors multiple connectivity paths to identify an available path and sends print jobs to the printer without being limited to a specific path, providing a user interface for sending print jobs to a print queue that can be sent via any available path.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the printer selection GUI displays multiple connectivity paths to the same printer, then the user has more path options to choose from, but the user becomes confused and may select an unavailable path leading to print job queuing issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple connectivity paths (USB, wireless, network) into a single unified print queue entry. Instead of displaying separate entries for each path to the same printer, the system combines them into one logical queue that the user selects, eliminating the confusion of multiple listings while maintaining all path options.
Solution Approach 2:
The print queue serves as an intermediary layer between the user and multiple connectivity paths. The user interacts with the single print queue entry, and the system automatically manages the underlying multiple paths, acting as a mediator that hides the complexity from the user while preserving all connection options.
2Reliability
If the user selects a specific connectivity path for a print job, then the print job is routed through that path, but the job remains in the print queue if the path becomes unavailable causing delays and potential duplicate printing
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements dynamic path selection where the print queue can automatically switch between multiple connectivity paths based on availability. Instead of being statically bound to one path, the print queue dynamically monitors path status and reroutes jobs to alternative paths when the original path fails, ensuring reliable delivery without user intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the state parameter of the print queue from being path-specific to being path-independent. By modifying the queue's configuration to accept multiple paths and automatically adjust which path is active based on availability, the system ensures print jobs are delivered reliably without delays caused by path unavailability.
3Loss of information
If the printer selection GUI shows multiple listings of the same printer for different paths, then each path is explicitly visible to the user, but the interface complexity increases and user experience deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the path selection complexity from the user-facing GUI and moves it to the system level. The print queue entry displays the printer name without requiring the user to see or choose among multiple path listings. The path information is extracted from the user interface and handled automatically by the system, reducing GUI complexity while preserving path functionality.
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, path data is received. The path data is indicative of a plurality of connectivity paths to electronically connect a computer and a printer. A graphic user interface is provided for display to a user, the interface to enable sending of print jobs to a print queue. The queue is to hold the print jobs to be sent to the printer, and is without limitation to a specific path among the plurality of paths. A command for the computer to send a first print job to the printer is received via the interface. The plurality of paths is monitored to identify an available path among the plurality of paths. The first print job is caused to be sent from the queue to the printer via the available path.