Printer Controller Driver Detection Service Prompting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users printing with general-purpose drivers are not effectively prompted to subscribe to printer-related services, as these drivers lack the capability to send notifications or subscription information to the printer.

Innovation Solution

A printer controller is configured to detect whether a print instruction is generated by a general-purpose or vendor-specific driver, and if by a general-purpose driver, it sends predetermined information for service subscription, prompting the user to subscribe to the service, while avoiding unnecessary prompts when using a vendor-specific driver.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a general-purpose driver is used to generate print instructions, then printing functionality is achieved with broad compatibility, but the user cannot be effectively prompted to subscribe to printer services

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedriver compatibilityVSAvoidservice subscription information

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The printer acts as an intermediary between the general-purpose driver and the service subscription system. It receives print instructions from the driver, identifies them as general-purpose driver instructions, and then externally sends subscription information to the user through the printer's communication interface, bridging the gap created by the driver's limited capabilities

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The printer autonomously detects the type of driver used, identifies when a general-purpose driver is employed, and automatically initiates the service subscription prompt without requiring user intervention or driver-specific code, enabling the system to serve itself in promoting service adoption

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Productivity

If the printer sends service subscription prompts for all print instructions, then user engagement is maximized, but unnecessary prompts reduce system efficiency and user experience

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser engagementVSAvoiduser experience

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The printer applies different handling strategies to different types of print instructions based on their local characteristics. It identifies the driver type (general-purpose vs. vendor-specific) and applies selective prompting only where necessary, optimizing both engagement and user experience through differentiated service delivery

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS20240329896A1Printer, non-transitory computer-readable recording medium storing computer readable instructions for printer, and method for controlling printer

Publication Date: 2024.10.03 BROTHER KOGYO KK

AI summary

A printer may comprise: a print execution device; and a controller, wherein the controller may be configured to: in a case where a print execution instruction is received from a terminal device, cause the print execution device to execute printing of an image according to the print execution instruction; and in a case where the print execution instruction is received from the terminal device and the print execution instruction is generated by a general-purpose driver not provided by a vendor of the printer, externally send predetermined information related to a subscription to a service related to the printer.