Universal Printer Driver Automatic Network Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
When an information processing apparatus with a universal printer driver is moved to a new network environment, the user is repeatedly prompted to select an image forming device for print jobs, as the system lacks the ability to automatically detect and set a previously used or user-specified destination printer in the new environment.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus detects whether it is attached to a new network environment and automatically sets an image forming device for print jobs by checking for a previously set destination printer or a user-specified printer, using network identifiers and use history information to determine the available devices and update settings accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a universal printer driver is used to control multiple image forming devices, then the driver's versatility and adaptability improve, but the system cannot automatically detect and set the destination printer in new network environments, requiring repeated user selection
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-service by automatically detecting the network environment and selecting the destination printer without requiring user intervention. The processor autonomously checks for previously set destination printers, detects available image forming devices in the new network environment, and automatically sets the appropriate printer based on use history information and device availability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms by monitoring network environment changes and using use history information to determine the most appropriate destination printer. The processor continuously checks network status, compares it with stored network identifiers, and adjusts printer selection based on feedback from device availability and previous usage patterns.
2Reliability
If the system prompts users to select an image forming device in each new network environment, then the user can explicitly choose the desired printer, but this repeated selection process increases user burden and reduces productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-storing network identifier information and use history data before the user needs to print. When a new network environment is detected, the processor quickly retrieves stored information and automatically selects the destination printer, eliminating the need for repeated user selection and significantly improving print job execution speed.
3Ease of operation
If the system stores and checks network identifier information to enable automatic printer selection, then the ease of operation improves, but the device complexity increases due to additional detection and storage mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses copying by storing network identifier information and use history data in memory for later retrieval and comparison. Instead of complex real-time analysis, the processor copies and compares stored network identifiers with current network environment identifiers to automatically determine the appropriate destination printer, simplifying the detection mechanism while maintaining ease of operation.
Data Source
AI summary
An example information processing apparatus is to receive a network event, detect, based on the network event, whether the information processing apparatus is attached to a new-in-driver-perspective network, if it is detected that the information processing apparatus is attached to the new-in-driver-perspective network, detect whether there remains available in the new-in-driver-perspective network a destination printer that is already set for use by a universal printer driver (UPD) of the information processing apparatus in a previously attached network, and, if it is detected that the already set destination printer remains available, automatically set the already set destination printer as a destination printer of the UPD in the new-in-driver-perspective network. The new-in-driver-perspective network includes a network to which the information processing apparatus has not been attached or a network in which a destination printer of the UPD has automatically been set and not been used.