Print Queue Selection for Blocked Printer Drivers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional print applications do not consider secure environments where printer drivers from manufacturers are blocked, leading to potential print failures and user confusion when attempting to use vendor printer drivers.
Innovation Solution
An information processing apparatus determines whether vendor printer drivers are enabled and displays associated print queues in a gray-out state, making them unselectable, thereby preventing selection errors and potential print failures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If vendor printer drivers are blocked for security reasons, then system security is improved, but print functionality using vendor drivers becomes unavailable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism (the print application) that mediates between the blocked vendor printer drivers and the printing system. The application detects the blocked state and redirects printing operations to alternative IPP class drivers, thereby maintaining print functionality while respecting the security blocking.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters by switching from vendor printer drivers to IPP class drivers when blocking is detected. This parameter change allows the system to adapt to the blocked state and maintain printing capability through alternative driver classes.
2Adaptability or versatility
If vendor printer drivers are displayed in the print queue selection, then user choice is improved, but print failures occur when blocked drivers are selected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by proactively detecting the blocked state of vendor printer drivers before the user attempts to use them. The system pre-emptively displays only available drivers in the selection interface, preventing the user from choosing blocked drivers and thus avoiding print failures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by continuously monitoring the operational status of printer drivers and using this information to dynamically adjust the displayed print queue options. This feedback loop ensures that only functional drivers are presented to the user, maintaining both versatility and reliability.
3Loss of information
If all print queues are displayed regardless of driver status, then information completeness is improved, but user confusion increases due to unselectable options
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating the display treatment of different driver types. Vendor printer drivers that are blocked are displayed with distinct visual characteristics (grayed out or marked as unavailable), while IPP class drivers are displayed as selectable. This localized differentiation maintains information completeness while providing clear operational guidance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses color changes as a visual indicator system to communicate driver availability status. Blocked vendor drivers are displayed in a grayed-out or dimmed state, while available IPP class drivers appear in full color, providing intuitive visual feedback about which options are selectable without requiring additional text explanations.
Data Source
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 whether a function of blocking operations of printer drivers offered by a manufacturer of the image forming apparatus is enabled, and displaying, 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.