Print Server Routing for Non-Standard Printer Identification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems fail to properly identify printing apparatuses that do not support the standard print function, preventing users from physically recognizing them, especially when connected via a print server.
Innovation Solution
A control method that enables physical identification of printing apparatuses by obtaining and transmitting information about their identification capabilities, using a print server to convert protocols and perform identification actions when necessary, even if the apparatus does not support the standard print function.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a printing apparatus is connected to a client terminal via a print server, then compatibility with apparatuses not supporting the standard print function is improved, but the ability to perform physical identification is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The print server acts as an intermediary between the client terminal and the printing apparatus. It receives identification requests from the client, forwards them to the printing apparatus using the apparatus-specific protocol, and relays the response back to the client. This mediator approach enables physical identification functionality to work through the print server layer without requiring the printing apparatus to natively support the standard print function.
2Ease of operation
If a print server converts protocols between standard print function and vendor-specific protocols, then usability of non-standard apparatuses is improved, but identification information transmission is blocked
Solution Approach 1:
The protocol conversion process is segmented into distinct phases: protocol conversion for print data transmission, and separate protocol conversion for identification requests. The print server maintains separate handling paths for identification commands versus print commands, ensuring that identification information is preserved and transmitted through the conversion layer without being lost or mixed with print data operations.
Data Source
AI summary
A control method for an information processing apparatus connected to a connection apparatus has: receiving, from a client terminal, an obtainment request for obtaining first information indicating an ability of the connection apparatus to perform a physical identification action; based on the obtainment request, obtaining second information indicating an ability of the information processing apparatus to perform a physical identification action; and transmitting, to the client terminal, a response in which a response attribute in accordance with the second information obtained is set.