Print Plug-in Service for Collaboration Tools
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current collaboration tools do not provide an efficient method for users to select and print files shared within message threads, requiring users to expand threads, search for messages, and manually call print plugins, which is time-consuming and labor-intensive.
Innovation Solution
A system that integrates a print plug-in service with collaboration tools, allowing users to easily select and print files by displaying a list of files attached to messages within the tool, with the ability to register printers to a cloud print service and manage print jobs, reducing the need for manual intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If users manually expand threads and search for messages to call print plug-ins, then printing functionality is achieved, but user time and effort are significantly increased
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by automatically detecting files shared in collaboration tools and pre-processing them into a printable format. The print plug-in service proactively monitors collaboration tool activities, identifies shareable files, and prepares print jobs in advance, eliminating the need for users to manually search and expand threads when they want to print files.
Solution Approach 2:
A print plug-in service acts as an intermediary between collaboration tools and printing systems. This mediator automatically intercepts file sharing actions in collaboration tools, extracts relevant file information, and seamlessly transfers it to the printing system without requiring user intervention to navigate through threads and messages.
2Productivity
If the system integrates print plug-in service with collaboration tools, then printing efficiency is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The print plug-in service is designed with multi-functionality to handle various collaboration tool platforms (Microsoft Teams, Slack, Skype) through a unified interface. This universal approach allows the system to serve multiple purposes - file detection, thread analysis, print job preparation, and printer management - through a single integrated service, reducing overall system complexity despite the diverse integration requirements.
Data Source
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AI summary
According to one aspect of the present disclosure, an information processing apparatus configured to: transmit a posting; display the transmitted posting; display information of data linked to other posting as responses to the transmitted posting; receive a user operation to specify a print function through an object displayed in association with the transmitted posting; display information of the data linked to the other posting associated with the posting as selectable data to be printed; and transmit a print instruction based on information of the displayed data that is selected through a user operation.